OVERNIGHT REGULATION: Senators to unveil reg reform bill

Welcome to OVERNIGHT REGULATION, your daily rundown of news from Capitol Hill and beyond. It’s Wednesday evening here in Washington. Here’s the latest:

 

THE BIG STORY

A group of senators is pushing new regulatory reform legislation that would rein in some of the most controversial federal agencies.

The regulatory reform bill from Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) would encourage independent federal agencies to minimize the cost of their regulations and improve transparency.

Regulators would be encouraged to adopt the least burdensome rules under the Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act, expected to be introduced Thursday. The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

{mosads}”This is about getting better and smarter regulations that keep the Obama administration from doing more harm to the economy through regulations,” Portman said.

Federal agencies are generally required to issue the least costly regulations necessary to accomplish their goal, but some independent agencies are exempted from this requirement.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) are both independent agencies, for example.

The regulatory reform bill would bring independent agencies like these under the same jurisdiction. They would be required to evaluate the costs and benefits of major rules, and explain which route would be the least costly.

“It’s going to lead to better rules,” Portman said.

“They’re independent, so they should be immune from political influence — but they shouldn’t be immune from the laws of economics and common sense,” he added.

The independent agencies could still chose to issue more expensive regulations under the legislation, but not without first providing an explanation.

The senators hope this will pressure independent agencies to minimize the cost of their rulemaking.

“It’s a whole lot better than agencies just issuing rules without having to go through this analysis, because if they didn’t, we’d have even more burdensome rules that we would have no knowledge about,” Portman said.

 

ON TAP FOR THURSDAY

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will hold a hearing to discuss a national framework for genetically modified food labeling and a bill that would preempt states from enacting their own mandatory labeling laws. http://1.usa.gov/1G15blF

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management Subcommittee will hold a hearing to reexamine EPA’s management of the renewable fuel standard program. http://1.usa.gov/1QJGKyr

 

TOMORROW’S REGS TODAY

The Obama administration will publish 164 new regulations, proposed rules, notices, and other administrative actions in Thursday’s edition of the Federal Register.

Here’s what to watch for:

–The Department of Energy (DOE) will look into new energy conservation standards for room air conditioners.

The Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is trying to determine whether new efficiency rules are necessary for these air conditioners.

The public has 45 days to comment. http://bit.ly/1MMakCn

–The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will propose new ocean dumping rules.

The rules would affect more than a half dozen ocean dumping sites in Texas where dredged material is disposed.

The public has 45 days to comment. http://bit.ly/1JYIgfG

–The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will issue new hazardous materials regulations.

The agency is updating the inspection procedures and out-of-service criteria for trucks transporting radioactive materials.

The new rules go into effect immediately. http://bit.ly/1d21Kmv

–The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will issue new production quotas for three types of synthetic cannabinoids that mirror the effects of marijuana.

The production quotas allow for the scientific use and study of the synthetic drugs.

The rules go into effect immediately. http://1.usa.gov/1GgbSPW

 

NEWS RIGHT NOW

Family detention: House Democrats, who have called on the Department of Homeland Security to end its family detention program, are planning to visit two centers where illegal immigrants are held in Texas. http://bit.ly/1LiOV38

Birth control: The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday voted to block federal and local funds for a law passed by the Washington, D.C. council that prevents employment discrimination based on reproductive health decisions. http://bit.ly/1LfW2MM

Guns: A new study attempts to debunk the claim that gun owners rely on their firearms for self-defense. http://bit.ly/1QEHJF8

AT&T: The Federal Communications Commission plans to fine AT&T $100 million for misleading customers about what it said were unlimited wireless data plans. http://bit.ly/1fhQmVr

Coal ash rule: Republican senators on Wednesday aired concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule on coal ash disposal, saying they might try to revise it. http://bit.ly/1JYJsQ4

Metro: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is recommending a list of nearly 80 safety fixes for the Washington, D.C. Metrorail subway system after a string of recent smoke-related incidents. http://bit.ly/1IPyP0G

Potential lawsuits: As current and former federal workers try to figure out if their personal information was exposed in a recently disclosed breach at the Office of Personnel Management, experts say some might be able to sue the government, The Washington Post reports. http://wapo.st/1GPGdJS

Antitrust: The Supreme Court has declined to review two antitrust cases, The New York Times reports. http://nyti.ms/1fhSZGX

 

BY THE NUMBERS

259: The number of justifiable homicides committed by gun owners in self-defense in 2012, the most recent year data is available.

8,342: The number of criminal homicides committed with guns in 2012.

(Source: The Violence Policy Center)

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Too often we focus on leave and childcare as women’s issues, but these are family issues affecting both fathers and mothers,” Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) said in a statement. House Democrats on Wednesday backed calls for paid paternal leave. http://bit.ly/1J4JKGK

 

We’ll work to stay on top of these and other stories throughout the week, so check The Hill’s Regulation page (http://digital-stage.thehill.com/regulation) early and often for the latest. And send any comments, complaints or regulatory news tips our way, tdevaney@digital-stage.thehill.com or lwheeler@digital-stage.thehill.com. And follow us at @timdevaney and@wheelerlydia.

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