Trump Orders Federal Agencies to Appoint a Reg Reform Officer

February 27, 2017 at 07:38 AM
Share & Print

Continuing his crackdown on regulations, President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Friday requiring all federal agencies to appoint a regulatory reform officer to chair a regulatory reform task force in order to "alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens."

Friday's order comes just weeks after Trump issued an order to require federal agencies to propose deleting two regulations for each new one they issue. 

"We have to knock out two regulations for every new regulation," Trump said in issuing the order, Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs.

Trump told business leaders on Jan. 23 that his administration was committed to rolling back regulations by 75%, "maybe more," as well as cutting taxes for the middle class and for businesses — to a 15% to 20% business tax rate from 35%.

The order issued Friday states that each task force shall evaluate existing regulations and "make recommendations to the agency head regarding their repeal, replacement or modification, consistent with applicable law."

At a minimum, the order requires the task force to chop regulations that: eliminate jobs, or inhibit job creation; are outdated, unnecessary or ineffective; impose costs that exceed benefits; create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with regulatory reform initiatives and policies.

The order says that the reg task force must reach out to entities "significantly affected by federal regulations," including state, local and tribal governments; small businesses; consumers; nongovernmental organizations; and trade associations.

Within 60 days of the date of the order, the director of the Office of Management and Budget is to issue guidance regarding the implementation of this subsection, which may also address how agencies "not otherwise covered" under the order should be held accountable for compliance.

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Related Stories

Resource Center