Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act
Sponsored By: Representative Cline
Introduced
Summary
Would require Senate-confirmed presidential appointees to initiate and sign most agency rules under section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act. It also would give the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs new guidance and monitoring duties and establish a narrow public‑safety exemption with required notification.
Show full summary
- Agency leaders and senior political appointees would have to initiate or sign rules, making those tasks nondelegable except in limited cases. This shifts final rulemaking authority to presidentially appointed officials and non‑career senior executives.
- The Administrator of OIRA would issue guidance and monitor agency compliance, while the statute preserves OMB’s other budget and administrative roles. The bill also defines key terms so the requirements target substantive regulations rather than internal agency procedures.
- An agency head could exempt a rule only if complying would impede public safety or security, and must notify OIRA and publish the reasons in the Federal Register consistent with safety and privacy. The bill says these requirements supersede prior practice to the extent of any conflict.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Top officials to sign agency rules
If enacted, this bill would require a senior appointee to start any notice-and-comment rule. A Senate-confirmed Presidential appointee would need to sign the final rule. The agency head could make a nondelegable safety or security exception, but must notify the OIRA Administrator and publish the reason in the Federal Register when feasible. OIRA would issue guidance and monitor compliance. It would not change the OMB Director’s budget or administrative powers. It would not cover minor internal rules that do not affect the public. It would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cline
VA • R
Cosponsors
Golden (ME)
ME • D
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Hageman
WY • R
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Ellzey
TX • R
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Crenshaw
TX • R
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Brecheen
OK • R
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Fitzgerald
WI • R
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Green (TN)
TN • R
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Gill (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 1/21/2025
Webster (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 2/21/2025
Van Drew
NJ • R
Sponsored 2/21/2025
Steube
FL • R
Sponsored 6/23/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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