OMB Releases Spring 2018 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

The Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), in conjunction with the U.S. General Services Administration’s Regulatory Information Service Center and the 60 Cabinet, Executive, and Independent agencies across the Federal Government, released yesterday the Trump Administration’s semi-annual Current Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions.

The report provides an update on actions administrative agencies will take in both the near and long term. The agenda amends and eliminates what the administration calls “regulations that are ineffective, duplicative, and obsolete,” so that the administration can “promote economic growth and innovation and protect individual liberty.”

These efforts are in line with President Trump’s Executive Orders 13771 and 13777, which require agencies to reduce regulatory burdens and enforce regulatory reform initiatives. Given the Administration’s focus on deregulatory efforts, the Regulatory Agenda includes withdrawing and reconsidering numerous regulatory actions, as well as identifying newly anticipated deregulatory actions that emerged from reviews that are underway. Agencies have committed to focusing on the costs and benefits of each regulatory and deregulatory action, while prioritizing the maximization of net benefits of regulations.” The Spring 2018 Unified Agenda recognizes that reform will take time and require “rigorous analysis, public input, and a careful consideration of legal requirements.” The Spring 2018 Unified Agenda aims to provide greater information and transparency about agency-proposed regulatory actions.

The administration has highlighted:

  • In fiscal year 2017, agencies issued 67 deregulatory actions and three regulatory actions.

  • Agencies saved $8.1 billion in regulatory costs, about $570.4 million per year for fiscal year 2017.

  • Informed by each agency’s submissions for the Fall 2017 Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda, agencies have worked with OIRA to identify a regulatory cost allowance or cost cap for fiscal year 2018.

  • Agencies anticipate saving $9.8 billion in regulatory costs, or $686.6 million per year from final rulemakings in fiscal year 2018.

  • Agencies plan to finalize seven deregulatory actions for every new regulatory action in fiscal year 2018, more than the 2:1 commitment previously announced.

  • Consistent with Administration priorities, agencies have proposed actions that streamline infrastructure development, promote emerging technologies, and provide small business relief.

  • The Administration’s comprehensive regulatory reform efforts have required significant changes to the regulations database. The Spring Agenda now has enhanced search capabilities and functionality and agencies provide consistent and unique identifiers that allow the public to track regulatory policy through the entire process.

Claire Washburn