Regulatory Integrity Act Brings More Transparency to Agency Rulemaking

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer supported a bill passed by the House of Representatives today that requires federal agencies to provide greater public transparency on proposed regulations.

H.R. 5226, the Regulatory Integrity Act of 2016, requires each agency to publish information on new rules within 24 hours after they are issued and be accessible for at least five years after being finalized. These rules and all regulatory actions related to them must be available on the agency's website or at www.regulations.gov. The bill further requires agencies to track the details of all public communications about pending regulatory actions.

It also prohibits agencies from lobbying or campaigning in support of proposed rules. This includes efforts known as "grass roots" lobbying campaigns, where federal appropriations are used by an agency or federal officer to specifically urge the public to write or communicate with Congress to favor or oppose legislation.

Among the more notable and recent examples of federal agencies using "grass roots" campaigns, was the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It utilized social media in 2014 to encourage members of environmental organizations to support the Clean Water Rule or the Waters of the US rule by contacting the agency with positive comments that would oppose negative comments from agriculture and industry organizations. It also made appeals to the public to contact Congress when legislation to prevent the rule was being considered.

"Federal agencies should not use tax dollars to influence the outcome of their rules and regulations," said Cramer. "This bill creates greater transparency with searchable databases easily accessible to the public to make sure the law is being followed."

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