Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 381.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the ``Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act of 2025'', seeks to amend the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. It establishes new requirements for regulatory impact analyses when agencies propose "major rules" that meet specific economic or social thresholds. The legislation mandates that agencies consider various alternatives and maximize net benefits before finalizing these rules. It also enhances stakeholder consultation processes to include the private sector and small businesses. Additionally, the bill expands the oversight responsibilities of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Finally, it provides for judicial review of agency compliance regarding these major rules.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates detailed public notice and impact analyses for major regulatory actions.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill reduces potential regulatory burdens and increases consultation for businesses.
- Scored +4
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill mandates enhanced consultation with small businesses regarding the costs of major rules.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -2
Does this give the federal government more power?
By increasing oversight of agency rules, the bill potentially restricts federal regulatory power.
- Scored -2
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
Increased regulatory hurdles may slow the implementation of rules designed to protect consumers.
- Scored -2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Increased regulatory scrutiny may delay or weaken environmental protection rules.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency for Major Rules: Agencies would be required to prepare and publish both an initial and a final regulatory impact analysis for "major rules" (Section 202(b)). This includes providing an analysis of anticipated benefits and costs, as well as looking at various regulatory alternatives (Section 202(c)(1)).
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Greater Economic Consideration: The bill defines a "major rule" based on significant economic impacts, such as an annual effect of $100,000,000 or more, or major increases in costs for consumers and industries (Section 2/Section 3(3)).
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Enhanced Stakeholder Input: The bill expands consultation requirements to include impacted parties within the private sector, specifically including small businesses (Section 3). Agencies are encouraged to seek out these views on costs, benefits, and risks (Section 3(c)(4)(A)).
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Focus on Net Benefits: Agencies would be required to select the alternative that maximizes net benefits from those considered (Section 205(b)).
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Early Warning for Rulemaking: Agencies must publish a notice of the initiation of rulemaking in the Federal Register at least 90 days before a notice of proposed rulemaking is published, allowing the public to propose alternatives and ideas early in the process (Section 209).
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Accountability and Oversight: The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs is given responsibilities to provide guidance and oversight to ensure major rules are consistent with the requirements of the Act (Section 208(a)). This includes an annual report to Congress regarding agency compliance (Section 208(c)).
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Legal Recourse for Aggrieved Parties: Individuals or entities that are aggrieved by a final agency action regarding a major rule are entitled to judicial review to determine if the agency complied with specific requirements of the Act (Section 401(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Regulatory Burdens on Agencies: The bill imposes new requirements for agencies to prepare detailed regulatory impact analyses, including assessments of budgetary effects on different regions, communities, or segments of the private sector (Section 202(c)(3)).
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Specific Restrictions on Alternative Rule Selections: Agencies may only adopt an alternative other than the one that maximizes net benefits if they receive approval from the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (Section 205(c)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill reduces potential regulatory burdens and increases consultation for businesses. Would farmers be better off under this? — Farmers may benefit from more predictable regulatory environments and enhanced consultation. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill aims to curb major regulatory costs that could indirectly impact household prices. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions for consultation with Tribal governments regarding regulatory impacts. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill requires agencies to assess disproportionate impacts on specific geographic regions, including rural ones. Would union members be better off under this? — Increased emphasis on net benefit maximization may favor market-based approaches over labor-centric regulations.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates detailed public notice and impact analyses for major regulatory actions. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill provides for judicial review of agency compliance with the new regulatory standards. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill's requirements may provide more clarity and predictable constraints on federal mandates affecting states. Does this give the federal government more power? — By increasing oversight of agency rules, the bill potentially restricts federal regulatory power.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill mandates enhanced consultation with small businesses regarding the costs of major rules. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By requiring agencies to maximize net benefits, the bill aims to reduce the economic burden of major regulations. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill enhances fiscal oversight of major regulatory actions through impact analyses. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Increased regulatory hurdles may slow the implementation of rules designed to protect consumers.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Increased regulatory scrutiny may delay or weaken environmental protection rules.
- 1/13/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-446, Part I.
- Committee on Rules discharged.
- Committee on the Budget discharged.
- Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 381.
- 5/21/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 19.
- 1/21/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, the Budget, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Henry CuellarDemocrat · Texas
Jared GoldenDemocrat · Maine
Ashley HinsonRepublican · Iowa
Pete SessionsRepublican · Texas