American Family Cost-of-Living Relief

Summary#

This bill requires federal agencies to prepare an analysis of how a proposed rule would affect household living costs before publishing a proposed rule and again before issuing a final rule. Agencies must publish the initial analysis for public comment when they publish the proposed rule, and publish the final analysis when they issue a final rule. If the agency finds the final analysis shows the rule would "substantially increase" household costs (defined as $50 or more per year), the agency may not finalize the rule unless the rule is required by law or the agency certifies an imminent national security or disaster emergency. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) must issue guidance within 180 days and then publish an annual report identifying major rules that have substantially increased household costs and make recommendations.

What it means for you#

  • Agencies must estimate and describe whether a proposed regulation will raise typical household costs and list goods or services affected.
  • The analysis must say how cost changes would affect households at different income levels.
  • The initial analysis will be available for public comment alongside the proposed rule; agencies must respond to comments in the final analysis.
  • Agencies cannot put a final rule into effect if it would increase household costs by $50 or more per year, except in limited situations (required by law or an emergency with certification to Congress).
  • Households affected by a final rule can seek judicial review if an agency did not follow these analysis requirements.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on estimated federal costs or budgetary effects. The bill requires agencies to prepare written analyses, OMB guidance within 180 days, and an annual OMB report, which would likely require agency staff time and resources, but the bill text provides no cost estimates.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata describing proponents' arguments other than the bill sponsors listed in the metadata (Ms. Mace and Mr. Massie).

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata describing opponents' arguments.