Lankford Statement on Unfunded Mandates Bill Mark Up

Statement

Congressman James Lankford (R-OK), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform, issued the following statement after the mark up of H.R. 373, The Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2011. The bill was introduced by Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) in January 2011 and reforms The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 to provide a stronger set of tools for evaluating unfunded mandates that federal agencies place on states, local and tribal governments, as well as the private sector. The bill successfully passed out of the subcommittee by a vote of 5-4.

"The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 made vital progress toward lifting the burden of regulations imposed by the federal government, but after 15 years, it is time to update this law," said Congressman Lankford. "This subcommittee held three hearings this year where we heard from states, local and tribal governments and the private sector that have experienced the full force of Washington's unfunded mandates, resulting from exemptions and loopholes in the law. As lawmakers, we need to have every tool available in order to evaluate mandates and regulations to the fullest extent.

"Too often, new rules slip through the cracks of existing statues and restrict local governments and businesses that are least able to handle them. The Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2011 will place the spotlight on every future mandate and give local governments and businesses a way to push back in the courts. These are positive steps that will help ensure that agencies always consider the least costly and less burdensome alternative. Congress should work to improve our regulations so that rules produce the greatest possible benefit while limiting restrictive barriers facing local governments and private businesses. This bill is a first step in an overhaul effort for a more common sense regulatory structure."

Note: The bill has now been forwarded to the full Oversight and Government Reform Committee, where it awaits further action.

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