The Oklahoman - Lankford Subcommittee Passes First Bill

News Article

By Chris Casteel

Freshman Rep. James Lankford, the chairman of a House subcommittee that oversees intergovernmental relations, advanced the first legislation from his panel last week, an update to the federal law on unfunded mandates.

Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, whose subcommittee heard earlier this year from Edmond Mayor Patrice Douglas, made it his first priority to look at the costs put on state and local governments to comply with federal rules and regulations.

The bill approved, on a 5-4 vote, would require expanded financial analyses; even if money is authorized by Congress to cover a new requirement on states or cities, there would have to be a report on whether that money be enough.

And the bill subjects regulations made by independent regulatory agencies, like the Securities and Exchange Commission, to scrutiny.

"These are positive steps that will help ensure that agencies always consider the least costly and less burdensome alternative,'' Lankford said.

"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."

Lankford is hoping the bill -- authored by a North Carolina Republican -- is approved this fall by the full Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

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