Expanding the Scope of OIRA Review
Dec 6th
Editor’s Note: OIRA review of independent agency regulations is a regulatory reform which has been publicly vetted for over fifteen years. See, Tozzi, Jim J. and Levinson, Bruce, A Blueprint for OMB Review of Independent Agency Regulations (March 1, 2002). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2740694 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2740694.
From: American Action Forum
Douglas Holtz-Eakin
Eakinomics: Expanding the Scope of OIRA Review
The Trump Administration is evidently considering the scope of the regulatory review provided by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Specifically, OIRA Administrator Neomi Rao indicated the administration is considering expanding its review beyond the executive agencies (e.g., Treasury, Interior) to include independent agencies.
HHS/ONC rule still at OMB
Nov 26th
From: Politico | Morning eHealth
By ARTHUR ALLEN
With help from Darius Tahir
WHITE HOUSE HOLDS ONC’S [Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology] INFO BLOCKING RULE: Some of us thought ONC’s annual conference later this week would be an occasion for the release of its proposal defining what kind of health care information blocking is acceptable. Doesn’t seem likely now, because Sunday night the rule was still at OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. . . .
AEI Events Podcast: Assessing the administrative state with Neomi Rao
Nov 19th
From: American Enterprise Institute
On this episode of the AEI Events Podcast, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) Administrator Neomi Rao visits AEI to discuss her office’s role in a centralized approach to deregulation and the administration’s regulatory reform agenda.
AEI’s John Yoo joins Administrator Rao in a conversation about how the president’s emphasis on deregulation has helped her office become more effective, and what the possible benefits may be of applying the centralized review process to independent agencies.
This event took place on June 19, 2018.
Regulating the Regulators
Nov 15th
From: The National Review
By Yuval Levin
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Rao is simply a fantastic choice for the DC Circuit spot. A former Clarence Thomas clerk and a brilliant legal scholar, she has the right mix of experience and training to be a superb judge (and at 45 years old, she could be a superb judge for a very long time). She also has the temperament every American should want in a senior federal judge—calm and thoughtful, but thoroughly independent-minded and unafraid of thorny controversies.
Trump nominates regs chief for D.C. Circuit
Nov 14th
From: E&E News
Niina Heikkinen, E&E News reporter
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At OIRA, Rao has been central to the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back regulations. Last month, she touted federal agencies for rolling back four regulations for every new regulation added.
Prior to joining the White House regulatory shop in July 2017, Rao taught as an associate law professor at George Mason University, where she also founded and directed the Center for the Study of the Administrative State.
Trump admin looks to overhaul Paperwork Reduction Act to ease customer service overhaul
Nov 9th
Editor’s Note: Listen to the complete Federal Drive with Tom Temin podcast: Trump admin looks to overhaul Paperwork Reduction Act to ease customer service overhaul.
From: Federal News Network
By Jory Heckman
Despite the momentum gathering around the Trump administration’s priority of transforming customer service in government, agencies still face challenges getting feedback from the public under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
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Lee Becker, the chief of staff at the VA’s Veterans Experience Office, said Thursday that under the customer experience CAP goal, VA, together with the Office of Management and Budget, the General Services Administration and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs are looking at workarounds to some of the hurdles caused by the PRA.
OIRA extends comment period on US-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council Request for Information
Nov 6th
Editor’s Note: See also OIRA Seeks Comment on How to Reduce Regulatory Differences between the U.S. and Canada.
From: OIRA
Comment period extended: OIRA Request for Information and 2018 RCC Stakeholder Forum
As you may be aware, on Tuesday, October 9th, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget published in the Federal Register a Request for Information (RFI) soliciting public input on how the Federal Government, under the auspices of the United States-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC), may reduce or eliminate unnecessary regulatory differences between the United States and Canada. You can find that notice here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/09/2018-21765/request-for-information. We are writing to let you know that the deadline to submit comments in response to that RFI has been extended by 30 days until December 10th. Please refer to the RFI for instructions on how to submit comments.
OIRA Seeks Comment on How to Reduce Regulatory Differences between the U.S. and Canada
Nov 1st
From: The National Law Review
OIRA Seeks Comment on How to Reduce Regulatory Differences between the U.S. and Canada, Including for Emerging Technologies Not Yet Regulated
Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) published a request for information (RFI) on October 9, 2018, seeking comment on how the federal government, under the auspices of the Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC), may reduce or eliminate unnecessary regulatory differences between the U.S. and Canada. According to the RFI, this information may inform agencies’ development of regulatory reform proposals to modify or repeal existing agency requirements to increase efficiency related to economic activity with Canada, reduce or eliminate unnecessary or unjustified regulatory burdens, or simplify regulatory compliance, while continuing to meet agency missions and statutory requirements….
Joint Statement on Good Regulatory Practices between the Office of Management and Budget and the Ministry of Finance of the State of Israel
Oct 29th
From: The White House
JOINT STATEMENT
BETWEEN
THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND
THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL
Recognizing the economic significance of lowering regulatory costs and excessive bureaucracy emphasized by the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the State of Israel;
Recognizing the importance of promoting Good Regulatory Practices (GRPs) to improve the business and investment environment, increase the ease of doing business, and encourage innovation; and
Considering the joint commitment to enhancing bilateral economic collaboration and economic opportunities between the United States of America and the State of Israel,
How to improve Trump’s regulatory budget
Oct 26th
Editor’s Note: How to improve Trump’s regulatory budget? Learn lessons from the godfather of regulatory budgeting.
From: Washington Examiner
by James Broughel
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Additionally, having OIRA oversee the new budgeting system makes some sense, given the regulatory expertise the office possesses. On the other hand, OIRA only reviews about 8 percent of all federal regulations finalized in any particular year. Many agencies, such as the so-called “independent agencies” like the SEC and the FCC, are exempt from OIRA review, and by extension exempt from the new regulatory budgeting system. Smaller rules that might not have much impact individually, but altogether have a big cumulative impact, are also exempt from OIRA review.