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A bill to amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law.
2/13/2025, 11:56 AM
Summary of Bill S 485
Under this proposed legislation, major rules would not have any legal force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is passed by Congress and signed into law by the President. This means that Congress would have more oversight and control over the regulations put forth by the executive branch, ensuring that they align with the will of the people as represented by their elected officials.
The bill seeks to increase transparency and accountability in the regulatory process, giving Congress the power to review and potentially reject major rules that may have significant impacts on businesses, individuals, or the economy as a whole. By requiring congressional approval, the Regulatory Accountability Act aims to prevent overreach by the executive branch and ensure that regulations are in the best interest of the American people. Overall, Bill 119 s 485 represents a significant change in the way major rules are implemented in the United States, shifting more power and decision-making authority to Congress in order to better represent the interests of the American people.
Congressional Summary of S 485
Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2025
This bill expands congressional review of federal agency rules and establishes additional procedures for major rules and agency guidance.
Specifically, the bill requires the enactment of a joint resolution for a major rule to take effect. A major rule is a rule that has resulted in or is likely to result in (1) an annual economic effect of at least $100 million; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, or innovation.
Additionally, major rules approved by a joint resolution under the bill expire, and are no longer effective, 10 years after the enactment of such joint resolution. Further, each agency must annually designate at least 10% of the agency’s major rules that are currently in effect for review and approval by a joint resolution of Congress. Such rules that are not approved shall no longer be in effect.
Under the bill, agency guidance documents are considered rules and certain significant guidance documents are considered major rules. Significant guidance documents include guidance anticipated to lead to an annual effect of at least $100 million, or adversely affect in a material way the economy, the environment, public health, or state or local government.
The Office of Management and Budget must establish an federal regulatory budget specifying the net amount of incremental regulatory costs allowed by the federal government for the next fiscal year.
