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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 5 (115th)

Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

3 January 2017

Last action

29 March 2017 · Committee

Status

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-21.

Sponsors

Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6], Rep. Peterson, Collin C. [D-MN-7], Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1], Rep. Marino, Tom [R-PA-10], Rep. Ratcliffe, John [R-TX-4], Rep. Luetkemeyer, Blaine [R-MO-3], Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Young, David [R-IA-3], Rep. Collins, Doug [R-GA-9], Rep. Franks, Trent [R-AZ-8], Rep. Labrador, Raul R. [R-ID-1], Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4], Rep. Jenkins, Evan H. [R-WV-3], Rep. Tipton, Scott R. [R-CO-3], Rep. Hultgren, Randy [R-IL-14], Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2], Rep. Byrne, Bradley [R-AL-1], Rep. Walters, Mimi [R-CA-45], Rep. Bishop, Mike [R-MI-8], Rep. Holding, George [R-NC-2], Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Rokita, Todd [R-IN-4], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

7 April 2025

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017 Regulatory Accountability Act This bill amends the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to revise and expand the requirements for federal agency rulemaking. Agencies must base all preliminary and final factual determinations on evidence and consider the legal authority under which the rule may be proposed, the specific nature and significance of the problem the agency may address with the rule, any reasonable alternatives for the rule, and the potential costs and benefits associated with such alternatives. The bill: requires agencies to publish advance notice of proposed rulemaking for major rules and for high-impact rules (rules having an annual cost on the economy of $100 million or $1 billion or more, respectively), for negative-impact-on-jobs-and-wages rules, and for rules that involve a novel legal or policy issue arising out of statutory mandates; sets forth criteria for issuing major guidance (agency guidance that is likely to lead to an annual cost on the economy of $100 million or more, a major increase in cost or prices, or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or ability to compete) or guidance that involves a novel legal or policy issue arising out of statutory mandates; allows immediate judicial review of rulemaking not in compliance with notice requirements; and establishes a substantial evidence standard for courts to affirm agency rulemaking decisions. Separation of Powers Restoration Act The bill authorizes courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo (without giving deference to the agency's interpretation) all relevant questions of law. Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act The bill revises rulemaking requirements and procedures under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA). The definition of "rule" under the RFA is expanded to include all agency rules, except for: (1) rules that pertain to the protection of veterans' rights and benefits or that impose limitations on the cost and terms of consumer credit extended to service members and their dependents, or (2) rules of particular applicability relating to rates, wages, and other financial indicators. Under a new definition of "economic impact," agencies are required to consider any direct economic effect of a proposed rule on small entities and any indirect economic effect on small entities that is reasonably foreseeable and that results from such rule. Agencies must publish a plan for the periodic review of existing rules and new rules that have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Judicial review of an agency final rule for compliance with RFA requirements is allowed after the publication of such rule, instead of after completion of the rulemaking process. The Small Business Act is amended to authorize the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to make small business size-standard determinations for all purposes other than for the purposes of such Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. The SBREFA is amended to require agencies, in preparing small entity compliance guides, to solicit input from affected small entities or associations of small entities. Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists Act or the REVIEW Act The bill prohibits a final agency rule from being published or taking effect until the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) determines whether the rule is a high-impact rule that may impose an annual cost on the economy of at least $1 billion. The agency shall publish such determination with the final rule. An agency shall postpone the effective date of a high-impact rule until: (1) the final disposition of all actions seeking judicial review of the rule, or (2) the expiration of an applicable period for judicial review or a period after publication if no person seeks judicial review. All Economic Regulations are Transparent Act or the ALERT Act Federal agencies must submit a monthly report to OIRA for each rule such agency expects to propose or finalize during the following 12 months. For any rule expected to be finalized during the following 12 months for which the agency has issued a general notice of proposed rulemaking, the reports must include an approximate schedule for completing action on the rule and an estimate of its cost, economic effects, and any imposition of unfunded mandates. OIRA must: (1) make such monthly reports publicly available on the Internet; and (2) publish by October 1 each year information and analysis about such rules for the preceding year. The bill prohibits a rule from taking effect until the information required by this bill is posted on the Internet for not less than six months, unless: (1) the agency proposing the rule claims a "good cause" exemption from notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures under the APA; or (2) the President determines by executive order that such rule is necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, for national security, or to implement an international trade agreement. Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act The bill requires the general notice of proposed rulemaking by a federal agency to include the Internet address of a plain-language summary, not exceeding 100 words, of the proposed rule, which shall be posted on the regulations.gov website.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 3 January 2017

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 3 January 2017

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 3 January 2017

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 3 January 2017

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 5 January 2017

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.

    Source: Committee

  6. 9 January 2017

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 33 Reported to House. The resolution provides for both bills to be considered under a structured rule for one hour of general debate. The resolution also provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions on both H.R. 5 and H.R. 79.

    Source: Floor

  7. 11 January 2017

    Vote

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 238 - 183 (Roll no. 45).

    Source: Floor

  8. 11 January 2017

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 238 - 183 (Roll no. 45).

    Source: Floor

  9. 11 January 2017

    Vote

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 190 - 233 (Roll no. 44).

    Source: Floor

  10. 11 January 2017

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

    Source: Floor

  11. 11 January 2017

    Floor

    Mrs. Demings moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H370)

    Source: Floor

  12. 11 January 2017

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  13. 11 January 2017

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5.

    Source: Floor

  14. 11 January 2017

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  15. 11 January 2017

    Floor

    The resolution provides for both bills to be considered under a structured rule for one hour of general debate. The resolution also provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions on both H.R. 5 and H.R. 79.

    Source: Floor

  16. 11 January 2017

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 33 and Rule XVIII.

    Source: Floor

  17. 11 January 2017

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Mike Bost to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  18. 11 January 2017

    Reported

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 33. (consideration: CR H323-372; text as reported in House: CR H335-344)

    Source: Floor

  19. 12 January 2017

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

    Source: IntroReferral

  20. 29 March 2017

    Committee

    Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-21.

    Source: Committee

Votes

11 January 2017 · passed · On Passage · Passed · Official source

Yes 238 · No 183 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 13

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

11 January 2017 · failed · On Motion to Recommit with Instructions · Failed · Official source

Yes 190 · No 233 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 11

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

8 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 12 January 2017

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  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 12 January 2017

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 11 January 2017

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 11 January 2017

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 11 January 2017

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 3 January 2017

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 3 January 2017

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 3 January 2017

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