Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The "Setting Manageable Analysis Requirements in Text Act of 2025," or SMART Act, aims to enhance the effectiveness of significant federal regulations by mandating retrospective review. It amends Title 5 of the United States Code, requiring federal agencies to establish frameworks for assessing "major rules," defined as those with a substantial economic impact or significant adverse effects on various sectors. This ensures that rules are regularly evaluated for their real-world outcomes and continued relevance. For proposed major rules, agencies must outline how they intend to measure the rule's effectiveness. Upon publishing a final major rule, agencies must include a detailed framework specifying the regulatory objectives , methodologies for analyzing qualitative and quantitative outcomes, and a plan for gathering data, including public input. This framework must also set a timeframe, not exceeding ten years, for the rule's initial assessment. Agencies are then required to conduct these assessments, analyzing actual benefits and costs against initial projections. The assessment must determine if the rule is accomplishing its objectives, if it remains necessary given changes in the subject area, or if it needs modification, expansion, or streamlining. The bill also requires agencies to consider whether alternative approaches could better achieve regulatory goals with less burden on society. The results of these assessments must be prominently published on the agency's website within 180 days of completion. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) is tasked with issuing guidance, assisting agencies, and may grant exemptions for certain routine rules, emergencies, or when an assessment is impracticable. Judicial review is strictly limited to ensuring agencies publish the required frameworks and assessments, without substantive review of their content.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2408)
Government Operations and Politics
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCompetition and antitrustCompetitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficitsEconomic performance and conditionsInflation and pricesJudicial review and appeals
SMART Act of 2025
USA119th CongressS-76| Senate
| Updated: 1/13/2025
The "Setting Manageable Analysis Requirements in Text Act of 2025," or SMART Act, aims to enhance the effectiveness of significant federal regulations by mandating retrospective review. It amends Title 5 of the United States Code, requiring federal agencies to establish frameworks for assessing "major rules," defined as those with a substantial economic impact or significant adverse effects on various sectors. This ensures that rules are regularly evaluated for their real-world outcomes and continued relevance. For proposed major rules, agencies must outline how they intend to measure the rule's effectiveness. Upon publishing a final major rule, agencies must include a detailed framework specifying the regulatory objectives , methodologies for analyzing qualitative and quantitative outcomes, and a plan for gathering data, including public input. This framework must also set a timeframe, not exceeding ten years, for the rule's initial assessment. Agencies are then required to conduct these assessments, analyzing actual benefits and costs against initial projections. The assessment must determine if the rule is accomplishing its objectives, if it remains necessary given changes in the subject area, or if it needs modification, expansion, or streamlining. The bill also requires agencies to consider whether alternative approaches could better achieve regulatory goals with less burden on society. The results of these assessments must be prominently published on the agency's website within 180 days of completion. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) is tasked with issuing guidance, assisting agencies, and may grant exemptions for certain routine rules, emergencies, or when an assessment is impracticable. Judicial review is strictly limited to ensuring agencies publish the required frameworks and assessments, without substantive review of their content.
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Government Operations and Politics
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCompetition and antitrustCompetitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficitsEconomic performance and conditionsInflation and pricesJudicial review and appeals