Regulation Decimation Act

This bill would force federal agencies to cut red tape before adding more. An agency could not issue a new rule (regulation) unless it first repeals 10 related rules. For big, “major” rules, the agency must also show the new rule costs no more than the rules it repeals, and a federal office must certify that. Any repealed rules must be publicly posted in the Federal Register. A “major rule” means one with very large economic effects, like $100 million or more in a year, big price increases, or other major impacts on jobs or competition.

This applies only to rules that put costs or duties on people, businesses, or state and local governments. It does not apply to an agency’s internal policies, buying and contracts, or updates that make a rule easier or cheaper to follow. Agencies must also review all their rules and report which ones are costly, ineffective, duplicative, or outdated. A follow-up report on the total number of rules and progress cutting them is due in five years.

• Who is affected: Federal agencies; indirectly, people, businesses, and state/local governments that face federal rules.
• What changes: Repeal 10 related rules before any new rule; for major rules, total costs must not rise; repealed rules are posted publicly; agencies must review and report on their existing rules .
• When: Agency rule review due within 90 days after this becomes law; a broader status report due within 5 years.