The bill increases congressional oversight and transparency to weed out outdated regulations and clarify coverage, but it raises the risk of expiring protections, regulatory uncertainty for businesses and states, and added administrative and political delays that could slow agency action.
Small businesses and taxpayers could face lower compliance costs because agencies must review and eliminate outdated regulations within five years, potentially removing unnecessary burdens.
Taxpayers and their representatives gain stronger congressional control and oversight because rules require affirmative reauthorization to remain in effect beyond five years, increasing political accountability for long-term regulatory authority.
All Americans benefit from greater transparency because agencies must publish timely reauthorization requests, bundle multiple requests to reduce duplication, and record committee chairs' or ranking members' recommendations in those requests.
Consumers, workers, and the environment risk losing ongoing protections because rules could expire after five years if not affirmatively reauthorized.
Businesses, states, and agencies face legal and regulatory uncertainty that complicates long-term planning and investment because rules may be temporary or subject to reauthorization.
Policy authority may shift from agencies to Congress, increasing the risk of political gridlock and slowing timely regulatory updates while imposing substantial administrative burdens on Congress and OMB.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Introduced February 12, 2025 by Marlin A. Stutzman · Last progress February 12, 2025
Requires most new federal agency rules to automatically expire five years after their effective date unless Congress passes a law reauthorizing them. Agencies must request reauthorization from Congress at least one year before a rule would sunset, publish those requests, and OMB/OIRA has an oversight role; several narrow exemptions are provided (e.g., emergencies, criminal-enforcement rules, military/foreign affairs, personnel/organization rules). The statute preserves existing Administrative Procedure Act procedures.