SLC Times

Senator Mike Lee has introduced the Modernizing Retrospective Regulatory Review Act in Congress, aiming to streamline the process of reviewing outdated regulations. The bill directs the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to utilize technology to improve the efficiency and accuracy of these reviews. Senator Cynthia Lummis co-sponsors the legislation, while Congressman Andy Biggs has presented a companion bill in the House.

"Americans deserve a government that moves at the speed of business, not the speed of bureaucracy," stated Sen. Lee. He emphasized that modern technology could refine regulatory frameworks, boost economic growth, and ensure regulations align with current realities.

Senator Lummis highlighted that "the federal government should not be an ever-growing beast hindering innovation with red tape and procedural hurdles." She believes this act will help bring federal regulation into the 21st century by using technology to identify unnecessary regulations and streamline processes.

Representative Biggs expressed concern over federal overregulation's impact on the economy, stating, "Americans must be given the opportunity to thrive without overbearing, costly, contradictory, and duplicative regulations mandated by the DC Swamp." He noted that AI technology could save taxpayer dollars and benefit American businesses.

The bill mandates OIRA to issue guidance on employing modern technology like Artificial Intelligence for regulatory reviews. It requires federal agencies to submit a "Retrospective Review Plan" detailing their strategies for implementing OIRA's guidance. Additionally, OIRA must report to Congress on making federal regulations available in a machine-readable format.

This legislative effort aligns with broader deregulatory goals from previous administrations and leverages technological advancements to identify obsolete rules for elimination.