Congressman Don Davis Introduces the Bipartisan Regulatory Early Notice and Engagement Act of 2024

Washington, D.C. — Congressmen Don Davis, Guy Reschenthaler, and Tim Burchett introduced H.R. 8204, bipartisan legislation aimed at enhancing transparency and public engagement in the regulatory process. The Regulatory Early Notice and Engagement Act of 2024 would require regulatory early notice by agencies and foster increased accountability.

"This legislation is about ensuring that federal agencies operate with full transparency and engage the public in the regulatory process from the outset," said Congressman Davis. "By providing early notice of proposed regulations and inviting public input, we can make the regulatory process more inclusive and effective. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation which promotes good governance, strengthens public trust, and ensures that regulatory decisions are made in the best interest of the American people."

“When a federal agency enacts a new rule, it can bring changes that affect millions of Americans overnight. Unfortunately, our government is so bloated with bureaucracy that these rule proposals often fly under the radar and don't have much accountability until the rules go into effect,” said Congressman Burchett. “This bill brings some much-needed transparency to the rulemaking process so the public can stay engaged with them and Congress can provide better oversight ahead of time.”

“Creating a competitive landscape where American workers — not federal bureaucrats — thrive is essential for the success of our nation,” said Congressman Reschenthaler. “For too long, the opposite environment has existed through our federal rulemaking process. Under this bipartisan legislation, the overreaching federal government will be reined in, shining a light on secretive rules which burden the livelihoods of millions of Americans, their families, and their businesses.”

The bill, if enacted, would require federal agencies to maintain a regulatory early notice webpage on their websites. Within seven days of assigning a regulation identifier number to a rulemaking, agencies would be required to publish a regulatory early notice on this webpage, identifying the problem the rule aims to address and inviting public recommendations on achieving the objectives of the rule.

Additionally, the Regulatory Early Notice and Engagement Act mandates the establishment of a searchable database by the Comptroller General, containing all regulatory early notices provided to the Comptroller General. This database will facilitate oversight of agency compliance with the legislation and promote transparency in regulatory decision-making.

“PPI is pleased to support the introduction of the bipartisan Regulatory Early Notice and Engagement Act of 2024 (RENEA),” said Lindsay Lewis, Executive Director at the Progressive Policy Institute. “PPI has long advocated for increased transparency and oversight of the regulatory process, and this legislation does just that. We thank Representatives Davis, Reschenthaler, and Burchett for working together across the aisle and taking action on this important issue.”

“As rules are enacted, reversed, and restored with administration changes, industry is left to navigate a sea of regulatory uncertainty and unable to plan for long term investments,” said Chris Jahn, President and CEO of American Chemistry Council. “Injecting a much-needed dose of common-sense review and transparency to federal rulemaking isn’t just practical, but imperative.”