Regulatory Reform

Federal paperwork is a major and costly burden on business. The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 established the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and established a review procedure for federal paperwork and regulations, which substantially reduced paperwork growth. ASA supports the reauthorization of OIRA the strengthening of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The direct and indirect costs to taxpayers of federal regulatory activities are immense. Many unnecessary and costly regulations could be prevented if agencies were required to show the need for each proposed major rule and to outline alternatives to each proposed rule. ASA supports requiring agencies to consider the economic impact of a proposed rule, as well as the impact on public safety and health. ASA also supports the selection of the most cost-effective regulatory alternatives by agencies.

By requiring periodic scheduling and an action-forcing automatic termination, sunset legislation provides a framework for the examination of government agency programs and policies. ASA supports ongoing review of the necessity for, and effectiveness of government regulatory and direct-spending programs, as well as termination of useless, obsolete or duplicative programs. ASA encourages legislatures to exercise their oversight authority to review authorizing statutes and implementing regulations.