WASHINGTON, May 2, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The American Chemistry Council (ACC) welcomes
the bipartisan introduction of the "Regulatory Early Notice and
Engagement Act" by Representative Guy
Reschenthaler (R-PA), Representative Don Davis (D-NC), and Representative
Tim Burchett (R-TN). The bill's
legislative language is taken directly from Executive Order 12866,
which has been in place since 1993 and adopted by presidents of
both major political parties to improve the regulatory review
process.
"As rules are enacted, reversed, and restored with
administration changes, industry is left to navigate a sea of
regulatory uncertainty and unable to plan for long term
investments. This regulatory whiplash impedes our ability to
produce these chemicals at home and pushes manufacturing to other
countries, like China," said
Chris Jahn, President and CEO, ACC.
"All of this undermines national priorities, impedes domestic
innovation, and threatens U.S. competitiveness. This bill can
help restore order through more vigorous congressional oversight of
federal agencies."
The "Regulatory Early Notice and Engagement Act" would require
that, within one week after initiating a new rulemaking activity, a
federal agency would have to make public on its website and send to
Congress a regulatory early notice, which must:
- Identify the problem the rule is intended to address and state
whether the rule is required by law, necessary to interpret law, or
made necessary to address a compelling public need, such as a
material failure of private markets.
- State whether existing regulations (or other laws) have
created, or contributed to, the problem that a new regulation is
intended to correct.
- State whether the agency identified and assessed available
alternatives to direct regulation, including the alternative of not
regulating.
Further, the bill would require the U.S. Government
Accountability Office (GAO) to develop and maintain a database
containing each regulatory early notice and report to Congress on
agency compliance with the Act. The GAO already maintains a
searchable database of final rules sent to it by federal agencies
to implement a Congressional Review Act.
"The U.S. economy runs on chemistry," continued Jahn. "We need
to steer clear of raising the cost of living for our already
struggling families. Injecting a much-needed dose of common-sense
review and transparency to federal rulemaking isn't just practical,
but imperative. We look forward to working with Representatives
Reschenthaler, Davis and Burchett, and the U.S. Senate, to support
this legislation."
American Chemistry Council
The American Chemistry
Council's mission is to advocate for the people, policy, and
products of chemistry that make the
United States the global leader in innovation and
manufacturing. To achieve this, we: Champion science-based policy
solutions across all levels of government; Drive continuous
performance improvement to protect employees and communities
through Responsible Care®; Foster the development of
sustainability practices throughout ACC member companies; and
Communicate authentically with communities about challenges and
solutions for a safer, healthier and more sustainable way of life.
Our vision is a world made better by chemistry, where people live
happier, healthier, and more prosperous lives, safely and
sustainably—for generations to come.
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SOURCE American Chemistry Council