NE Wyoming News

Congresswoman Harriet Hageman has reintroduced the Regulatory Cooling Off Act, aiming to amend the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and slow down the pace of regulatory actions by federal agencies. The proposed legislation seeks to extend rulemaking timelines, enhance transparency, and simplify judicial relief processes. This initiative is intended to shift power from unelected officials back to the American public.

Hageman highlighted the need for change since "Congress has failed to substantially amend the APA" since its inception in 1946. She pointed out that administrative agencies have gained significant power over time, imposing new regulatory costs without congressional oversight. "The Regulatory Cooling Off Act takes this first step by slowing the administrative state and making it more accountable to the public," she stated.

The APA outlines how agencies create rules, manage administrative litigation, and allow for judicial review. Currently, swift timelines enable rapid rule development and enforcement by the executive branch, even without explicit congressional authorization. According to reports, President Biden's administration has imposed over $1.7 trillion in new federal regulatory costs.

The Regulatory Cooling Off Act proposes a six-month waiting period before any new regulations can be enforced. It also aims to lengthen public participation periods and mandates agencies provide all necessary information for meaningful public engagement. Additionally, it offers forum relief for Americans challenging federal regulations in courts historically supportive of administrative decisions.