Paperwork Reduction Act

Background: The Paperwork Reduction Act (“PRA”) governs the ability of federal agencies to compel private parties to disclose information. 44 U.S.C. §§ 3501–21. The law aims to minimize the burden imposed on individuals, businesses, and other entities resulting from data collection by the federal government. Whenever a federal agency seeks to obtain information from a group larger than 10 individuals, it must comply with the PRA. Among other things, the PRA requires agencies seeking such information to make a determination that the contemplated collection of information is necessary for proper performance of agency functions. In addition, agencies must submit their proposed data collection instrument to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (“OIRA”) for approval. The approval process normally includes two required public comment periods totaling at least 90 days and normally takes 6-9 months to complete, although, in June 2011, OIRA implemented a “fast track” review process for certain information collections for which agencies obtain generic approval.

Project Details: The PRA project will examine the Act broadly to determine whether the statute itself or agencies’ practices under the Act could be improved. Among other things, the project will consider the costs and benefits of PRA compliance, whether the Act’s goals could be achieved in a more efficient manner, whether the Act needs to be updated to account for advances in social media and other new technologies, whether the Act should apply to voluntary collections of information, and whether the Act should apply when an agency seeks to collect information from special government employees. The research consultant for the PRA project is Associate Professor Stuart Shapiro, who serves as Director of the Public Policy Program at Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

Committee Meetings

The Committee on Administration and Management has scheduled two public meetings to consider a draft report and a draft recommendation for this project. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 29 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, while the second meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Documents for the February 29 Meeting

Comments of Public Member Jim Tozzi ()

Draft Paperwork Reduction Act Report ()

Public Meeting Policies and Procedures ()

How to RSVP for Committee Meetings

If you would like to attend a committee meeting in person, please RSVP to Comments@acus.gov. The meetings will also be webcast live, and the videos will be archived for later viewing. Please consult our Public Meeting Policies and Procedures, available for download below, for more information.

How to Submit Comments

You can send comments on this project by emailing Comments@acus.gov with “Committee on Rulemaking” in the subject line, or by postal mail to Committee on Rulemaking, Adminstrative Conference of the United States, 1120 20th Street, NW, Suite 706 South, Washington, DC 20036. Comments must be received five days prior to the committee meeting to be guaranteed consideration by the committee. Please click here for the Conference’s public comment policy.

Contacts

Committee Chair
John Cooney
Partner- Venable LLP

Research Consultant
Professor Stuart Shapiro
Rutgers University

Staff Counsel
Emily Schleicher Bremer

For all media inquires, please contact Kathy Kyle at 202.480.2091 or kkyle@acus.gov.