Summary:
Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill expands the cash awards program for disclosures by federal employees of fraud, waste, or mismanagement that result in cost savings to the employee's agency to include identification of surplus salaries and expenses funds that: (1) an agency employee identifies as unnecessary, (2) the inspector general and the chief financial officer of the agency determine are not required for the purpose for which the amounts were made available, and (3) the rescission of which would not be detrimental to the full execution of the purposes for which the amounts were made available.

Any savings resulting from such identifications must be deposited in the Treasury and used to reduce a budget deficit or the federal debt. But agencies may retain up to 10% of such savings for the purpose of paying cash awards to employees who identify surplus salaries and expenses funds.

Each fiscal year, agencies must submit reports to the Department of the Treasury regarding: (1) the total savings achieved through disclosures of possible fraud, waste, or mismanagement and identifications of surplus salaries and expenses funds by an employee; and (2) each disclosure that has merit and the number and amount of cash awards by the agency. This information must also be included in agency budget requests submitted to the Office of Management and Budget.

Treasury must report annually to Congress on federal cost saving and awards based on agency reports about such employee disclosures. The Office of Personnel Management must certify annually whether each agency's cash award program complies with this bill.

Every three years, the Government Accountability Office must report on the operation of the program and any recommendations for legislative improvements.

The amendments in this bill regarding the expansion of the cash awards program and the use of cost savings from such employee identifications shall sunset six years after enactment of this bill.

The bill prohibits the payment of awards to: (1) federal officers who serve in a position at level I of the Executive Schedule; (2) the head of an agency; or (3) a commissioner, board member, or other voting member of an independent establishment.

bonuses cost cutters act sec bill expands cash awards program disclosures federal employees fraud waste mismanagement result cost savings employee agency include identification surplus salaries expenses funds agency employee identifies unnecessary inspector general chief financial officer agency determine required purpose amounts available rescission detrimental execution purposes amounts available savings resulting identifications deposited treasury reduce budget deficit federal debt agencies retain savings purpose paying cash awards employees identify surplus salaries expenses funds fiscal year agencies submit reports department_of_the_treasury total savings achieved disclosures possible fraud waste mismanagement identifications surplus salaries expenses funds employee disclosure merit number cash awards agency information included agency budget requests submitted office_of_management_and_budget treasury report annually congress federal cost saving awards based agency reports employee disclosures office_of_personnel_management certify annually agency cash award program complies bill years government_accountability_office report operation program recommendations legislative improvements amendments bill expansion cash awards program use cost savings employee identifications shall sunset years enactment bill bill prohibits payment awards federal officers serve position level executive schedule head agency commissioner board member voting member independent establishment


Summary:
Regulatory Predictability for Business Growth Act of 2015

This bill adds the definitions of "longstanding interpretative rule" and "revise" to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). A longstanding interpretative rule is distinguished from an "interpretative rule" if it has been in effect for at least one year. If a rule is a longstanding interpretative rule, it remains subject to the general notice of proposed rulemaking and comment and publication provisions of the APA.

regulatory predictability business growth act bill adds definitions interpretative rule revise administrative procedure act apa interpretative rule distinguished interpretative rule effect year rule interpretative rule remains subject general notice proposed rulemaking comment publication provisions apa


Summary:
Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015

This bill modifies the rule making requirements and procedures of federal agencies (excluding Congress, U.S. courts, U.S. territories and possession, and the District of Columbia) under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA). The definition of "rule" under RFA is expanded to include all agency rules, except for rules that pertain to the protection of the rights of and benefits for veterans or rules of particular (and not general) applicability relating to rates, wages, and other financial indicators. Under a new definition of "economic impact," agencies are required to consider any direct economic effect of a proposed rule on small entities and any indirect economic effect on small entities that is reasonably foreseeable and that results from such rule.

Under the bill, agencies are required to modify their rulemaking procedures to:

 include within initial and final regulatory flexibility analyses a detailed statement of information relating to a proposed rule; include in the agency regulatory flexibility agenda a description of the sector of the North American Industrial Classification System that is affected by a proposed rule that is likely to have a significant economic impact of a substantial number of small entities; require each initial regulatory flexibility analysis to contain detailed information about a proposed rule, including why agency action is being considered, the objectives and legal basis for the proposed rule, and an estimate of the number and types of small entities to which the proposed rule will apply; eliminate waivers or delays of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis; modify the procedures for participation of small entities in the promulgation of a proposed rule and the review panel advocacy process; and publish a plan for the periodic review of existing rules and new rules that have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities to determine whether such rules should be continued, changed, or rescinded. Judicial review of an agency final rule for compliance with RFA requirements is allowed after the publication of such rule, instead of after completion of the rule making process.

The Small Business Act is amended to authorize the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make small business size standard determinations for all purposes other than for the purposes of such Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

The bill amends SBREFA to require agencies to: (1) solicit input from affected small entities or associations of small entities in preparing small entity compliance guides, and (2) review biennially the civil penalties imposed on small entities for violations of a statutory or regulatory requirement to determine whether a reduction or waiver of such penalties is appropriate.

The bill amends the Paperwork Reduction Act to prohibit agencies from imposing civil fines for a first-time paperwork violation by a small business concern unless the violation has the potential to cause serious harm to the public interest, the detection of criminal activity would be impaired, the violation is a violation of internal revenue law or a law concerning the assessment or collection of any tax, debt, revenue, or receipt, the violation is not corrected within six months, or the violation presents a danger to the public health or safety.

The bill imposes certain additional requirements on agencies when there is a determination that a rule imposes a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, including requirements for: (1) publication of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis for public comment, (2) a determination of the average cost of a rule for affected small entities and the number of small entities affected or reasonably presumed to be affected, and (3) consultation with the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy with respect to the accuracy of information relating to the cost and impact of a final rule. The Comptroller General must complete and publish a study that examines whether the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy has the capacity and resources to carry out duties under this Act.

small business regulatory flexibility improvements act bill modifies rule making requirements procedures federal agencies excluding congress courts territories possession district_of_columbia regulatory flexibility act rfa small_business_regulatory_enforcement fairness act definition rule rfa expanded include agency rules rules pertain protection rights benefits veterans rules particular general applicability relating rates wages financial indicators new definition economic impact agencies required consider direct economic effect proposed rule small entities indirect economic effect small entities reasonably foreseeable results rule bill agencies required modify rulemaking procedures include initial final regulatory flexibility analyses detailed statement information relating proposed rule include agency regulatory flexibility agenda description sector north_american_industrial_classification_system affected proposed rule likely significant economic impact substantial number small entities require initial regulatory flexibility analysis contain detailed information proposed rule including agency action considered objectives legal basis proposed rule estimate number types small entities proposed rule apply eliminate waivers delays initial regulatory flexibility analysis modify procedures participation small entities promulgation proposed rule review panel advocacy process publish plan periodic review existing rules new rules significant impact substantial number small entities determine rules continued changed rescinded judicial review agency final rule compliance rfa requirements allowed publication rule instead completion rule making process small business act amended authorize chief counsel advocacy small_business_administration sba small business size standard determinations purposes purposes act small_business_investment_act bill amends require agencies solicit input affected small entities associations small entities preparing small entity compliance guides review biennially civil penalties imposed small entities violations statutory regulatory requirement determine reduction waiver penalties appropriate bill amends paperwork reduction act prohibit agencies imposing civil fines time paperwork violation small business concern violation potential cause harm public interest detection criminal activity impaired violation violation internal revenue law law concerning assessment collection tax debt revenue receipt violation corrected months violation presents danger public health safety bill imposes certain additional requirements agencies determination rule imposes significant economic impact substantial number small entities including requirements publication initial regulatory flexibility analysis public comment determination average cost rule affected small entities number small entities affected reasonably presumed affected consultation sba chief counsel advocacy respect accuracy information relating cost impact final rule comptroller_general complete publish study examines sba chief counsel advocacy capacity resources carry duties act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 22, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Program Management Improvement Accountability Act

(Sec. 2) This bill establishes as additional functions of the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements to:

 adopt and oversee implementation of government-wide standards, policies, and guidelines for program and project management for executive agencies; chair the Program Management Policy Council (established by this Act); establish standards and policies for executive agencies consistent with widely accepted standards for program and project management planning and delivery; engage with the private sector to identify best practices in program and project management that would improve federal program and project management; conduct portfolio reviews to address programs identified as high risk by the Government Accountability Office (GAO); conduct portfolio reviews of agency programs at least annually to assess the quality and effectiveness of program management; and establish a five-year strategic plan for program and project management. The bill exempts the Department of Defense (DOD) from such provisions to the extent that they are substantially similar to: (1) federal provisions governing the defense acquisition workforce; or (2) policy, guidance, or instruction of DOD related to program management.

The head of each federal agency that is required to have a Chief Financial Officer shall designate a Program Management Improvement Officer to implement agency program management policies and develop a strategy for enhancing the role of program managers within the agency. The OMB must submit a report containing such strategy within one year after enactment of this bill. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics shall be considered the Program Management Improvement Officer for DOD.

The Program Management Policy Council is established within OMB to act as the principal interagency forum for improving agency practices related to program and project management.

The Office of Personnel Management must issue regulations that: (1) identify key skills and competencies needed for an agency program and project manager, (2) establish a new job series or update and improve an existing job series for program and project management within an agency, and (3) establish a new career path for program and project managers.

The GAO must issue a report within three years of enactment, in conjunction with its high risk list, examining the effectiveness of the following (as required or established under this Act) on improving federal program and project management:

 the standards, policies, and guidelines for program and project management; the strategic plan; Program Management Improvement Officers; and the Program Management Policy Council.

measure amended passed house september summary version repeated program management improvement accountability act sec bill establishes additional functions deputy director omb requirements adopt oversee implementation government wide standards policies guidelines program project management executive agencies chair established act establish standards policies executive agencies consistent widely accepted standards program project management planning delivery engage private sector identify best practices program project management improve federal program project management conduct portfolio reviews address programs identified high risk government_accountability_office gao conduct portfolio reviews agency programs annually assess quality effectiveness program management establish year strategic plan program project management bill exempts department_of_defense dod provisions extent substantially similar federal provisions governing defense acquisition workforce policy guidance instruction dod related program management head federal agency required chief financial officer shall designate program management improvement officer implement agency program management policies develop strategy enhancing role program managers agency omb submit report containing strategy year enactment bill secretary logistics shall considered dod established omb act principal interagency forum improving agency practices related program project management office_of_personnel_management issue regulations identify key skills competencies needed agency program project manager establish new job series update improve existing job series program project management agency establish new career path program project managers gao issue report years enactment conjunction high risk list examining effectiveness following required established act improving federal program project management standards policies guidelines program project management strategic plan


Summary:
Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill authorizes the President to require an independent regulatory agency, while maximizing net benefits and considering costs, to comply with regulatory analysis requirements applicable to other federal agencies.

For any proposed or final economically significant rule (i.e., a rule that is likely to have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or to adversely affect in a material way the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities), the President may require in independent regulatory agency to publish and provide the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) with: (1) an assessment of the costs and benefits of such rule, (2) an assessment of costs and benefits of alternatives to such rule, and (3) an explanation of why the planned regulatory action is preferable to identified alternatives.

The President may require: (1) such an agency to submit any proposed or final economically significant rule to OIRA for review; (2) OIRA to submit for inclusion in the rule making record its assessment of the extent to which the agency has complied with regulatory analysis requirements; and (3) that if OIRA does not complete such assessment within 90 days, such agency shall be deemed to have met the requirement for review and may publish the final rule without inclusion of an assessment in the rule making record.

(Sec. 4) Compliance of an independent regulatory agency with this bill's requirements shall not be subject to judicial review.

analysis act sec bill authorizes president require independent regulatory agency maximizing net benefits considering costs comply regulatory analysis requirements applicable federal agencies proposed final economically significant rule rule likely annual effect economy million adversely affect material way economy productivity competition jobs environment public health safety state local tribal governments communities president require independent regulatory agency publish provide office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs oira assessment costs benefits rule assessment costs benefits alternatives rule explanation planned regulatory action preferable identified alternatives president require agency submit proposed final economically significant rule oira review oira submit inclusion rule making record assessment extent agency complied regulatory analysis requirements oira complete assessment days agency shall deemed met requirement review publish final rule inclusion assessment rule making record sec compliance independent regulatory agency bill requirements shall subject judicial review


Summary:
Just Google It Act

 Repeals the National Technical Information Act of 1988, effective one year after the enactment of this Act (thus abolishes the National Technical Information Service [NTIS]).

Directs: (1) the Secretary of Commerce, the Archivist of the United States, the Comptroller General, and the Commissioner of Social Security to consult with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to determine if any NTIS function is critical to the U.S. economy; and (2) the Comptroller General to determine which of such critical functions are not being carried out by any other federal agency. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary of Commerce to transfer such critical functions to another office of the Department of Commerce, excluding any fee-based services offered by the NTIS; and (2) the General Services Administration or any federal agency receiving critical fee-based services from an NTIS contractor to enter into a new contract to continue such services. Terminates all other NTIS functions.

Requires the Secretary of Commerce to certify that all NTIS operations have been terminated. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) transfer all unexpended balances in the NTIS Revolving Fund to the Treasury general fund for the purpose of deficit reduction, and (2) dissolve such Fund.

act repeals national technical information act effective year enactment act abolishes ntis directs secretary commerce archivist united_states comptroller_general commissioner_of_social_security consult director office_of_management_and_budget determine ntis function critical economy comptroller general determine critical functions carried federal agency authorizes secretary commerce transfer critical functions office department_of_commerce excluding fee based services offered ntis general_services_administration federal agency receiving critical fee based services ntis contractor enter new contract continue services terminates ntis functions requires secretary commerce certify ntis operations terminated directs secretary treasury transfer unexpended balances treasury general fund purpose deficit reduction dissolve fund


Summary:
Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2015 or the SCRUB Act of 2015

Establishes the Retrospective Regulatory Review Commission to review the Code of Federal Regulations to identify, using specified criteria, rules and sets of rules that collectively implement a regulatory program that should be repealed to lower the cost of regulation to the economy, giving priority to major rules that: (1) have been in effect more than 15 years, (2) impose paperwork burdens that could be reduced substantially without significantly diminishing regulatory effectiveness, (3) impose disproportionately high costs on small business entities, and (4) could be strengthened in their effectiveness while reducing regulatory costs.

Sets forth congressional procedures for consideration of recommendations for the repeal of rules in the Commission's reports. Requires agencies to repeal a rule or set of rules as recommended by the Commission within 60 days after the enactment of a joint resolution approving the recommendations in the Commission's reports. Prohibits the reissuance of a rule similar to any rule that has been repealed or that results in the same adverse effects of a repealed rule.

Requires the Commission to: (1) establish a public website to make regulatory information accessible to the public at no cost, and (2) make any of its meetings of hearings open to the public.

Requires a federal agency that makes a new rule to: (1) repeal rules identified by the Commission to offset the cost to the economy of such new rule (cut-go procedures), and (2) include in the final issuance of such rule a plan for reviewing the rule not later than 10 years after it is promulgated. Requires the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget to review and certify the accuracy of agency determinations of the cost of new rules.

Makes agency compliance with the requirements of this Act subject to judicial review.

searching cutting regulations unnecessarily burdensome act act establishes retrospective regulatory review commission review code federal regulations identify specified criteria rules sets rules collectively implement regulatory program repealed lower cost regulation economy giving priority major rules effect years impose paperwork burdens reduced substantially significantly diminishing regulatory effectiveness impose disproportionately high costs small business entities strengthened effectiveness reducing regulatory costs sets forth congressional procedures consideration recommendations repeal rules commission reports requires agencies repeal rule set rules recommended commission days enactment joint resolution approving recommendations commission reports prohibits reissuance rule similar rule repealed results adverse effects repealed rule requires commission establish public website regulatory information accessible public cost meetings hearings open public requires federal agency makes new rule repeal rules identified commission offset cost economy new rule cut procedures include final issuance rule plan reviewing rule later years promulgated requires administrator office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs office_of_management_and_budget review certify accuracy agency determinations cost new rules makes agency compliance requirements act subject judicial review


Summary:
Regulatory Impact Scale on the Economy Small Business Act of 2015 or the RISE Small Business Act of 2015

Requires a federal agency, before promulgating a proposed or final rule that it determines is likely to have an annual effect on the economy of at least $100 million, to assign the rule to, and publish in the Federal Register, the following category that applies based on the highest possible annual effect the agency determines the rule is likely to have on the economy:

 category 1 rule likely to result in an annual effect of between $100 million and $499,999,999; category 2 rule likely to result in an annual effect of between $500 million and $999,999,999; category 3 rule likely to result in an annual effect of between $1 billion and $4,999,999,999; category 4 rule likely to result in an annual effect of between $5 billion and $9,999,999,999; and category 5 rule likely to result in an annual effect of not less than $10 billion. Directs: (1) each agency to submit to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) annually a list of the rules, by category, that the agency published during the preceding year; and (2) OIRA to publish each list and an estimate of the costs and benefits of each included rule on www.reginfo.gov.

Defines "significant economic impact" for purposes of provisions concerning initial and final regulator flexibility analyses as an annual economic effect of at least $100 million.

regulatory impact scale requires federal agency promulgating proposed final rule determines likely annual effect economy million assign rule publish federal_register following category applies based highest possible annual effect agency determines rule likely economy category rule likely result annual effect million category rule likely result annual effect million category rule likely result annual effect billion category rule likely result annual effect billion category rule likely result annual effect billion directs agency submit office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs oira annually list rules category agency published preceding year oira publish list estimate costs benefits included rule defines significant economic impact purposes provisions concerning initial final regulator flexibility analyses annual economic effect million


Summary:
Smarter Regulations Through Advance Planning and Review Act of 2015 or the Smarter Regs Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill requires a federal agency, when publishing a proposed major rule and when publishing a final major rule, to include a framework for assessing the rule.

The bill defines "major rule" as any rule that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) finds has resulted in or is likely to result in: (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

The framework published with the final rule shall include: (1) a clear statement of the rule's regulatory objectives, including a summary of its societal benefit and cost; (2) the methodology by which the agency plans to analyze the rule, including metrics for measuring its effectiveness, its benefits, and its impacts on regulated entities; (3) a plan for gathering data regarding such metrics; and (4) a specific time frame, of not more 10 years after the rule becomes effective, for conducting such assessment.

Each agency shall assess the collected data to: (1) analyze how the actual benefits and costs of the rule may have varied from those anticipated at the time it was issued; and (2) determine whether the rule is accomplishing its regulatory objective or needs to be strengthened, whether the rule has been rendered unnecessary, and whether alternatives to or modification of the rule could achieve the regulatory objective while imposing a smaller burden on society or increase net benefits. The bill requires subsequent assessments, within specified time frames, of a major rule that remains in effect after an assessment under this bill, unless the OIRA determines that there is a foreseeable and apparent need for such rule beyond such time frames.

The OIRA must:

 issue guidance for agencies regarding the development of the framework for, and the conduct of, such assessments; oversee the compliance of agencies with this Act; ensure that the results of each assessment are published promptly on a centralized federal website and that required notice is published in the Federal Register; encourage and assist agencies to streamline and coordinate the assessment of major rules with similar or related regulatory objectives; exempt an agency from such framework requirements if the agency did not issue a notice of proposed rule making for the major rule in order to provide a timely response to an emergency or to comply with a statutorily imposed deadline (in which cases the framework must be published within six months after the agency publishes the final rule); and extend the deadline specified by an agency for an assessment for up to 90 days if the agency justifies why it is unable to meet that deadline. These provisions shall not apply to:

 a major rule of an agency that the OIRA reviewed before this bill's enactment or for which the agency is required to conduct a retrospective review under any other provision of law that meets or exceeds the requirements of this bill; interpretative rules, general statements of policy, or rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice; or routine and administrative rules. Judicial review of agency compliance is limited to whether an agency published the framework for assessment of a major rule or whether an agency completed and published the required assessment of a major rule. The court may only issue an order remanding the rule to the agency to comply with this bill. Any determination, action, or inaction of the OIRA shall not be subject to judicial review.

smarter regulations advance planning review act smarter act sec bill requires federal agency publishing proposed major rule publishing final major rule include framework assessing rule bill defines major rule rule office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs oira finds resulted likely result annual effect economy million major increase costs prices consumers individual industries government agencies geographic regions significant adverse effects competition employment investment productivity innovation ability enterprises compete foreign based enterprises framework published final rule shall include clear statement rule regulatory objectives including summary societal benefit cost methodology agency plans analyze rule including metrics measuring effectiveness benefits impacts regulated entities plan gathering data metrics specific time frame years rule effective conducting assessment agency shall assess collected data analyze actual benefits costs rule varied anticipated time issued determine rule accomplishing regulatory objective needs strengthened rule rendered unnecessary alternatives modification rule achieve regulatory objective imposing smaller burden society increase net benefits bill requires subsequent assessments specified time frames major rule remains effect assessment bill oira determines foreseeable apparent need rule time frames oira issue guidance agencies development framework conduct assessments oversee compliance agencies act ensure results assessment published promptly centralized federal website required notice published federal_register encourage assist agencies streamline coordinate assessment major rules similar related regulatory objectives exempt agency framework requirements agency issue notice proposed rule making major rule order provide timely response emergency comply statutorily imposed deadline cases framework published months agency publishes final rule extend deadline specified agency assessment days agency justifies unable meet deadline provisions shall apply major rule agency oira reviewed bill enactment agency required conduct retrospective review provision law meets exceeds requirements bill interpretative rules general statements policy rules agency organization procedure practice routine administrative rules judicial review agency compliance limited agency published framework assessment major rule agency completed published required assessment major rule court issue order rule agency comply bill determination action inaction oira shall subject judicial review


Summary:
Principled Rulemaking Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill revises the federal agency rulemaking process to require a agencies to promulgate only rules (defined to exclude agency actions involving a military or foreign affairs function of the United States or a matter relating to agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts) that are required by law, necessary to interpret a law, or made necessary by public need, to protect or improve the health and safety of the public, the environment, or the wellbeing of the people of the United States.

Before promulgating such a rule, an agency must:

 assess the significance of the problem the agency intends to address; consider the legal authority under which the rule may be proposed; examine whether existing rules have created or contributed to the problem and should be modified to achieve the regulatory objective more effectively; assess available alternatives to direct regulation; consider the risks posed by various substances or activities within the agency's jurisdiction; design the rule to maximize net benefits while justifying the costs; consider incentives for innovation, consistency, predictability, flexibility, distributive impacts, and equity on the regulated entities and the public and the cost of enforcement and compliance to the government, regulated entities, and the public; base decisions on the best reasonably obtainable information concerning the need for, and consequences of, the rule; assess alternative forms of regulation and specify performance objectives; seek views of governmental entities before imposing regulatory requirements that may significantly or uniquely affect them and seek to minimize those burdens; assess the effects of rules on state, local, and tribal governments and the private sector; seek to harmonize agency action with related governmental functions; avoid promulgating a rule that is inconsistent, incompatible, or duplicative with other rules; tailor the rule to maximize benefits while imposing the least burden on society; and draft the rule in a manner that is simple and easy to understand. Such considerations shall be included as part of the rulemaking record and shall be considered by a court only in determining whether the final rule is: (1) arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion; or (2) unsupported by substantial evidence where the standard is otherwise provided by law.

This bill shall not apply:

 to interpretative rules, general statements of policy, or rules of agency organization, procedures, or practice; if the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) waives these requirements for good cause; or if the statute on which a proposed rule is based specifically exempts a rule from any of these procedures. Judicial review of agency or OIRA compliance with this bill is limited.

(Sec. 4) Agencies must issue rules through a process that involves public participation, including by providing for timely online access to the rulemaking docket of the agency on an easily accessible federal website.

Before issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking, each agency shall seek the views of those who are likely to be affected by the rule.

(Sec. 5) In developing regulatory actions and identifying appropriate approaches, each agency shall: (1) attempt to promote coordination, simplification, and harmonization; and (2) seek to identify means to achieve regulatory goals that are designed to promote innovation.

(Sec. 6) When issuing a rule, each agency shall ensure that any scientific and technological information and processes used to support any regulatory action of the agency is the best objective, peer-reviewed, and reproducible information publicly available.

rulemaking act sec bill revises federal agency rulemaking process require agencies promulgate rules defined exclude agency actions involving military foreign affairs function united_states matter relating agency management personnel public property loans grants benefits contracts required law necessary interpret law necessary public need protect improve health safety public environment people united_states promulgating rule agency assess significance problem agency intends address consider legal authority rule proposed examine existing rules created contributed problem modified achieve regulatory objective effectively assess available alternatives direct regulation consider risks posed substances activities agency jurisdiction design rule maximize net benefits justifying costs consider incentives innovation consistency predictability flexibility impacts equity regulated entities public cost enforcement compliance government regulated entities public base decisions best reasonably information concerning need consequences rule assess alternative forms regulation specify performance objectives seek views governmental entities imposing regulatory requirements significantly uniquely affect seek minimize burdens assess effects rules state local tribal governments private sector seek harmonize agency action related governmental functions avoid promulgating rule inconsistent incompatible duplicative rules tailor rule maximize benefits imposing burden society draft rule manner simple easy understand considerations shall included rulemaking record shall considered court determining final rule arbitrary capricious abuse discretion substantial evidence standard provided law bill shall apply interpretative rules general statements policy rules agency organization procedures practice office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs oira waives requirements good cause statute proposed rule based specifically exempts rule procedures judicial review agency oira compliance bill limited sec agencies issue rules process involves public participation including providing timely online access rulemaking docket agency easily accessible federal website issuing notice proposed rulemaking agency shall seek views likely affected rule sec developing regulatory actions identifying appropriate approaches agency shall attempt promote coordination simplification harmonization seek identify means achieve regulatory goals designed promote innovation sec issuing rule agency shall ensure scientific technological information processes support regulatory action agency best objective peer reviewed information publicly available


Summary:
Early Participation in Regulations Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill defines a "major rule" as a rule that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) determines is likely to impose: (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S. enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

The bill directs an agency, not later than 90 days before publishing a notice of proposed rule making for a major rule in the Federal Register, to publish advance notice of proposed rule making for such rule, which shall:

 include a written statement identifying the nature and significance of the problem to be addressed, a general description of regulatory alternatives, the legal authority under which the rule is proposed, and an achievable objective for the rule and metrics by which the agency expects to measure progress toward that objective; and solicit and provide a period of at least 60 days for submission of written data, views, and argument from interested persons. Any deviation between policies set forth in such statement and any final agency action shall not be considered arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

The bill is inapplicable to a major rule:

 for which the proposing agency is not required to publish a notice of proposed rule making, if the OIRA determines that complying with the requirements described in this bill would not serve the public interest or would be unduly burdensome and duplicative of processes required by specific statutory requirements as rigorous as those prescribed in this bill, or if the agency proposing the major rule is otherwise specifically exempted by law from notice and comment rule making procedures. Such a determination made by the OIRA shall not be subject to judicial review.

early participation regulations act sec bill defines major rule rule office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs oira determines likely impose annual effect economy million major increase costs prices consumers individual industries government agencies geographic regions significant adverse effects competition employment investment productivity innovation ability enterprises compete foreign based enterprises bill directs agency later days publishing notice proposed rule making major rule federal_register publish advance notice proposed rule making rule shall include written statement identifying nature significance problem addressed general description regulatory alternatives legal authority rule proposed achievable objective rule metrics agency expects measure progress objective solicit provide period days submission written data views argument interested persons deviation policies set forth statement final agency action shall considered arbitrary capricious abuse discretion accordance administrative procedure act bill inapplicable major rule proposing agency required publish notice proposed rule making oira determines complying requirements described bill serve public interest unduly burdensome duplicative processes required specific statutory requirements rigorous prescribed bill agency proposing major rule specifically exempted law notice comment rule making procedures determination oira shall subject judicial review


Summary:
Unified Savings and Accountability Act or the USA Act

Requires: (1) the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy to issue guidance to federal agencies to reinvigorate the role of the competition advocate, (2) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue government-wide savings goals for the strategic sourcing of goods and services by executive agencies required to designate or appoint a Chief Financial Officer, (3) the Chief Information Officer of each agency to submit to the OMB a report on potentially duplicative information technology investments, and (4) the modification of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to address the use of reverse auctions by federal agencies.

Requires each federal agency to: (1) maintain adequate inventory controls and accountability systems for real property under its control, (2) develop workforce projections to assess the need of the federal workforce regarding the use of real property, (3) continuously survey real property under its control to identify property suitable for colocation or consolidation with other agencies and facilities, (4) establish goals to reduce excess and underutilized federal property, (5) identify leased space that is not fully used or occupied, and (6) conduct an inventory and make an assessment of real property under its control on an annual basis.

Establishes a Federal Real Property Council to: (1) develop guidance and ensure implementation of an efficient and effective real property management strategy, (2) identify opportunities to better manage real property assets, and (3) reduce the costs of managing real property. Requires agencies with independent leasing authority to submit to the Council a list of all their leases.

Requires the General Services Administration to establish and maintain a database of real property under the custody and control of all federal agencies

Requires the OMB to establish a pilot program to dispose of any surplus property.

Authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants to private nonprofit organizations to purchase surplus real property to assist the homeless.

Amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services to submit to Congress a report on efforts to finalize plans and schedules for fully implementing and expanding the use of the Integrated Data Repository and on actions taken to plan, schedule, and conduct training on the One Program Integrity System.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of State to deny, revoke, or limit a passport of an individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt in excess of $50,000.

Prohibits the Department of the Treasury from minting or issuing any coin, or engraving or printing any U.S. currency, that costs more to produce than the denomination of such coin or currency.

Requires the Government Publishing Office (GPO) to make any document of the House of Representatives or Senate available only in an electronic format accessible through the Internet and prohibits the printing or distribution of a printed copy of any such document, with a limited exception for requests by any person for whom the GPO would have been required to provide a printed copy.

Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to: (1) sequester all $1 coins bearing the design common to $1 coins minted and issued from 1979 through 1981 and in 1999; (2) undertake and report on efforts to improve the circulation of the $1 coin, other than those sequestered; (3) continuously conduct education programs to help businesses using or accepting cash to choose the best mix of $1 coins and bank notes to facilitate and reduce transaction costs; and (4) work with the Departments of State and the Treasury to ensure that countries that have adopted the dollar as a base unit of exchange and that place orders for supplies of $1 monetary units are fully briefed on the durability and longevity of $1 coins in high-circulation economies.

Declares it to be U.S. policy that after $1 coins achieve sufficient market penetration, $1 coins should replace $1 Federal Reserve notes. Allows Federal Reserve banks to continue to place $1 Federal Reserve notes into circulation until the number of $1 coins placed into circulation exceeds 600 million annually, or until four years after enactment of this Act, whichever is earlier.

Directs the Internal Revenue Service to develop a long-term strategy to improve its Internet web services provided to taxpayers.

Directs HUD and the Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs to: (1) analyze, each year, the effectiveness and long-term costs and benefits of their programs, actions, and strategies for avoidance or mitigation of foreclosure losses regarding loans for and mortgages on one- to four-family homes made, insured, or guaranteed by such Departments; and (2) provide additional guidance on loss mitigation efforts to servicers of such loans and mortgages.

accountability_act usa act requires administrator federal procurement policy issue guidance federal agencies reinvigorate role competition advocate office_of_management_and_budget omb issue government wide savings goals strategic sourcing goods services executive agencies required designate appoint chief financial officer chief information officer agency submit omb report potentially duplicative information technology investments modification federal_acquisition_regulation address use reverse auctions federal agencies requires federal agency maintain adequate inventory controls accountability systems real property control develop workforce projections assess need federal workforce use real property continuously survey real property control identify property suitable colocation consolidation agencies facilities establish goals reduce excess underutilized federal property identify leased space fully occupied conduct inventory assessment real property control annual basis establishes federal real property council develop guidance ensure implementation efficient effective real property management strategy identify opportunities better manage real property assets reduce costs managing real property requires agencies independent leasing authority submit council list leases requires general_services_administration establish maintain database real property custody control federal agencies requires omb establish pilot program dispose surplus property authorizes department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud grants private nonprofit organizations purchase surplus real property assist homeless amends title general provisions social security act require department_of_health_and_human_services submit congress report efforts finalize plans schedules fully implementing expanding use actions taken plan schedule conduct training program integrity system amends internal revenue code authorize secretary state deny revoke limit passport individual seriously delinquent tax debt excess minting issuing coin printing currency costs produce denomination coin currency requires government_publishing_office gpo document house_of_representatives senate available electronic format accessible internet prohibits printing distribution printed copy document limited exception requests person gpo required provide printed copy directs_the_board_of_governors federal_reserve_system sequester coins bearing design common coins issued undertake report efforts improve circulation coin sequestered continuously conduct education programs help businesses accepting cash choose best mix coins bank notes facilitate reduce transaction costs work departments state treasury ensure countries adopted dollar base unit exchange place orders supplies monetary units fully briefed durability longevity coins high circulation economies declares policy coins achieve sufficient market penetration coins replace federal reserve notes banks continue place federal reserve notes circulation number coins placed circulation exceeds million annually years enactment act whichever earlier directs internal_revenue_service develop long term strategy improve internet web services provided taxpayers directs hud departments_of_agriculture veterans_affairs analyze year effectiveness long term costs benefits programs actions strategies avoidance mitigation foreclosure losses loans mortgages one- family homes insured guaranteed departments provide additional guidance loss mitigation efforts servicers loans mortgages


Summary:
Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists Act of 2015 or the REVIEW Act of 2015

Requires a federal agency to postpone the effective date of a high-impact rule pending judicial review. Permits such a rule to take effect 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register if no person seeks judicial review of such rule during such period.

Defines a "high-impact rule" as any rule that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs determines may impose an annual cost on the economy of at least $1 billion.

act review act requires federal agency postpone effective date high impact rule pending judicial review permits rule effect days published federal_register person seeks judicial review rule period defines high impact rule rule office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs determines impose annual cost economy billion


Summary:
Regulations Endanger Democracy Act of 2015 or the RED Tape Act of 2015

Prohibits a federal agency from issuing a covered rule (a rule that causes a new financial or administrative burden on businesses or people in the United States) that either amends or modifies an existing agency rule or does not amend or modify an existing rule unless the agency has repealed one or more existing covered rules and the cost of the rule to be issued is less than or equal to that of the covered rules repealed. Exempts a covered rule that: (1) relates to the internal policy or practice of, or procurement by, the agency; or (2) is being revised to be less burdensome by decreasing requirements imposed by, or compliance costs of, the rule.

Prohibits any statutory pay adjustment from taking effect for any employee of an agency during any period during which the agency is not in compliance with such requirement.

Directs an agency, in determining whether to repeal a covered rule, to consider: (1) whether the rule has achieved its purpose, has become obsolete, or overlaps with a covered rule to be issued; (2) any adverse effects that could materialize if the rule is repealed; and (3) whether the costs of the rule outweigh it benefits.

Requires each agency, semiannually, to submit to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for publication in the Unified Agenda a list containing each covered rule the agency intends to issue, repeal, or amend during the following six months and the cost of each such rule.

regulations endanger democracy act red tape act prohibits federal agency issuing covered rule rule causes new financial administrative burden businesses people united_states amends modifies existing agency rule amend modify existing rule agency repealed existing covered rules cost rule issued equal covered rules repealed exempts covered rule relates internal policy practice procurement agency revised burdensome decreasing requirements imposed compliance costs rule prohibits statutory pay adjustment taking effect employee agency period agency compliance requirement directs agency determining repeal covered rule consider rule achieved purpose obsolete covered rule issued adverse effects rule repealed costs rule outweigh benefits requires agency semiannually submit office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs publication list containing covered rule agency intends issue repeal amend following months cost rule


Summary:
Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015

This bill amends the Administrative Procedure Act to revise requirements for federal agency rulemaking by requiring agencies, in making a rule, to consider: (1) the legal authority under which a rule may be proposed, including whether rulemaking is required by statute or is within the discretion of the agency; (2) the nature and significance of the problem the agency intends to address with a rule; (3) whether existing federal laws or rules have created or contributed to the problem; (4) reasonable alternatives for a new rule; and (5) for any major rule or high-impact rule (generally defined as rules having an annual cost to the economy of $100 million or $1 billion or more, respectively), the potential costs and benefits associated with potential alternative rules.

The bill requires agencies that initiate a rulemaking that may result in a major rule or a high-impact rule to: (1) establish an electronic docket for that rulemaking, which may have a physical counterpart; and (2) publish a notice of initiation of rulemaking in the Federal Register.

The bill requires agencies issuing a rule to notify the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget and publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register which shall include: (1) a text of the proposed rule; (2) a summary of rulemaking considerations; and (3) for any major rule or high-impact rule, a preliminary determination that the benefits of the proposed rule justify its costs and a discussion of the costs and benefits of alternatives to the rule. Similar notice requirements apply when an agency adopts a final rule.

The bill expands agency requirements for allowing opportunities for public comment and sets forth requirements for providing public hearings for high-impact and major rules and for petitioning for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule. An agency must, in a rulemaking for a major rule or high-impact rule, adopt the least costly rule considered during the rulemaking that meets relevant statutory objectives.

The bill requires the OIRA to establish and update guidelines for the assessment of: (1) the costs and benefits of proposed and final rules, and (2) other economic issues and risk assessments that are relevant to rulemaking.

The bill revises the scope of judicial review to prohibit review of a determination of whether a rule is a major rule and to establish a substantial evidence standard for affirming agency rulemaking decisions.

The bill sets forth criteria for issuing major guidance (agency guidance that is likely to lead to an annual cost to the economy of $100 million or more, a major increase in cost or prices, or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or ability to compete).

regulatory accountability act bill amends administrative procedure act revise requirements federal agency rulemaking requiring agencies making rule consider legal authority rule proposed including rulemaking required statute discretion agency nature significance problem agency intends address rule existing federal laws rules created contributed problem reasonable alternatives new rule major rule high impact rule generally defined rules having annual cost economy million billion respectively potential costs benefits associated potential alternative rules bill requires agencies initiate rulemaking result major rule high impact rule establish electronic docket rulemaking physical counterpart publish notice initiation rulemaking federal_register bill requires agencies issuing rule notify office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs oira office_of_management_and_budget publish notice proposed rulemaking federal_register shall include text proposed rule summary rulemaking considerations major rule high impact rule preliminary determination benefits proposed rule justify costs discussion costs benefits alternatives rule similar notice requirements apply agency adopts final rule bill expands agency requirements allowing opportunities public comment sets forth requirements providing public hearings high impact major rules petitioning issuance amendment repeal rule agency rulemaking major rule high impact rule adopt costly rule considered rulemaking meets relevant statutory objectives bill requires oira establish update guidelines assessment costs benefits proposed final rules economic issues risk assessments relevant rulemaking bill revises scope judicial review prohibit review determination rule major rule establish substantial evidence standard agency rulemaking decisions bill sets forth criteria issuing major guidance agency guidance likely lead annual cost economy million major increase cost prices significant adverse effects competition employment investment productivity innovation ability compete


Summary:
Inspector General Mandates Reporting Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill requires each Office of Inspector General to submit to the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency a report which: (1) shall include a list of each reporting requirement for such Office, and (2) may include a list of reporting requirements that such Office recommends should be modified or repealed.

Within 60 days after receiving such report, the Council shall submit to Congress a report which: (1) shall include a list of reporting requirements that are common to more than one Office of Inspector General and a list of reporting requirements that are unique to each Office, and (2) may include recommendations for reporting requirements that should be modified or repealed.

These reports shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified index.

inspector general mandates reporting act sec bill requires office_of_inspector_general submit council_of_inspectors_general_on_integrity_and_efficiency report shall include list reporting requirement office include list reporting requirements office recommends modified repealed days receiving report council shall submit congress report shall include list reporting requirements common office_of_inspector_general list reporting requirements unique office include recommendations reporting requirements modified repealed reports shall submitted unclassified form include classified index


Summary:
Regulatory Authority Clarification Act of 2015

This bill prohibits a federal agency from promulgating a rule that conflicts with or fails to carry out any concurrent resolution enacted by Congress that clarifies the meaning of a provision of law, including a clarification of whether a law delegates certain authority to an agency. If an agency has a rule in effect that conflicts with or fails to carry out the meaning of the resolution, the agency must promulgate new rules that carry out such meaning.

regulatory authority clarification act bill prohibits federal agency promulgating rule conflicts fails carry concurrent resolution enacted congress clarifies meaning provision law including clarification law delegates certain authority agency agency rule effect conflicts fails carry meaning resolution agency promulgate new rules carry meaning


Summary:
Government Transformation Act of 2015

This bill establishes the Government Transformation Board, which shall:

 review programs and conduct research to determine whether the organizational practices, operations, and reform efforts of federal agencies are useful, duplicative, efficient, effective, and economical; develop and maintain approved criteria for the selection, prioritization, and scheduling of such reviews; analyze organizational practices and management challenges of federal agencies; identify best practices of federal agencies and opportunities for such agencies to share methods, tools, systems, and technologies; coordinate input from appropriate federal agencies and provide opportunities for the Board to accept ideas on improving government performance; upon request, provide information on Board activities to the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the Office of Management and Budget, other federal agencies, the Office of the Inspector General of each federal agency, and specified congressional committees; conduct post-transformation follow-up reviews; serve as a repository for best practices and successful processes, systems, and technologies for federal agencies; provide training and education to federal employees who are on detail to the Board about program improvement, government transformation, efficiency, and effectiveness; review program assessments performed by federal agencies; and maintain data privacy and security. The Board shall submit semiannual reports on its activities, including its suggestions for implementing the best practices of federal agencies and recommendations for improvement or investment in federal programs or elimination, reduction, or consolidation of federal programs.

The Board shall submit: (1) specific recommendations, after completion of a program assessment, for the improvement of the effectiveness, efficiency, and economy of the program; and (2) biannual reports on historical data and trends in the information studied by the Board.

The Board shall terminate on September 30 of the sixth fiscal year beginning after enactment of this Act.

The bill provides for expedited congressional consideration of legislation to implement Board recommendations.

government transformation act bill establishes shall review programs conduct research determine organizational practices operations reform efforts federal agencies useful duplicative efficient effective economical develop maintain approved criteria selection prioritization scheduling reviews analyze organizational practices management challenges federal agencies identify best practices federal agencies opportunities agencies share methods tools systems technologies coordinate input appropriate federal agencies provide opportunities board accept ideas improving government performance request provide information board activities government_accountability_office congressional_budget_office office_of_management_and_budget federal agencies office_of_the_inspector_general federal agency specified congressional committees conduct post transformation follow reviews serve repository best practices successful processes systems technologies federal agencies provide training education federal employees detail board program improvement government transformation efficiency effectiveness review program assessments performed federal agencies maintain data privacy security board shall submit semiannual reports activities including suggestions implementing best practices federal agencies recommendations improvement investment federal programs elimination reduction consolidation federal programs board shall submit specific recommendations completion program assessment improvement effectiveness efficiency economy program biannual reports historical data trends information studied board board shall terminate september sixth fiscal year beginning enactment act bill provides expedited congressional consideration legislation implement board recommendations


Summary:
SCORE Act of 2015

This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish a Regulatory Analysis Division within the Congressional Budget Office to assess the impact of economically significant rules.

The division must provide an economic analysis of proposed rules that: (1) have an annual effect on the economy of at least $100 million; or (2) adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities.

score act bill amends congressional_budget_act establish regulatory analysis division congressional_budget_office assess impact economically significant rules division provide economic analysis proposed rules annual effect economy million adversely affect material way economy sector economy productivity competition jobs environment public health safety state local tribal governments communities


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on June 28, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Making Electronic Government Accountable By Yielding Tangible Efficiencies Act of 2016 or the MEGABYTE Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue a directive to require the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of each executive agency to develop a comprehensive software licensing policy, which shall:

 identify clear roles, responsibilities, and central oversight authority within the agency for managing enterprise software license agreements and commercial software licenses; and require each CIO to establish a comprehensive inventory of software licenses, track and maintain such licenses, analyze software usage to make cost-effective decisions, provide software license management training, establish goals and objectives of the agency's software license management program, and consider the software license management life cycle phases to implement effective decision-making and incorporate existing standards, processes, and metrics. Each CIO shall report to OMB in each of the six fiscal years after this bill's enactment on the savings from improved software license management.

measure amended reported senate june summary version repeated making electronic government accountable tangible efficiencies act act sec bill requires office_of_management_and_budget omb issue directive require chief information officer cio executive agency develop comprehensive software licensing policy shall identify clear roles responsibilities central oversight authority agency managing enterprise software license agreements commercial software licenses require cio establish comprehensive inventory software licenses track maintain licenses analyze software usage cost effective decisions provide software license management training establish goals objectives agency software license management program consider software license management life cycle phases implement effective decision making incorporate existing standards processes metrics cio shall report omb fiscal years bill enactment savings improved software license management


Summary:
Duplication Reduction and Scoring Act of 2016

This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to coordinate with relevant federal agencies to: (1) use available administrative authority to eliminate, consolidate, or streamline federal programs and agencies with duplicate and overlapping missions identified in specified reports of the Government Accountability Office issued between 2011 and 2015; (2) determine the total cost savings from the use of such authority; and (3) rescind from appropriate accounts the greater of $10 billion or the total amount of estimated cost savings and apply the savings towards deficit reduction.

The bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office to submit an analysis of whether any legislation reported from a congressional committee that creates a new federal program, office, or initiative would duplicate or overlap with any existing program, office, or initiative with a similar mission, purpose, or goal.

duplication reduction scoring act bill requires office_of_management_and_budget coordinate relevant federal agencies use available administrative authority eliminate consolidate streamline federal programs agencies duplicate overlapping missions identified specified reports government_accountability_office issued determine total cost savings use authority rescind appropriate accounts greater billion total estimated cost savings apply savings deficit reduction bill amends congressional_budget_act require congressional_budget_office submit analysis legislation reported congressional committee creates new federal program office initiative duplicate overlap existing program office initiative similar mission purpose goal


Summary:
Unfunded Mandates Accountability Act of 2016

This bill revises rulemaking requirements under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) to: (1) require federal agencies to prepare and publish in the Federal Register an initial and final regulatory impact analysis prior to promulgating any proposed or final rule that may have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more (adjusted for inflation); (2) make consideration of the least burdensome alternative to a rule mandatory and require the selection of the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative; (3) extend UMRA requirements to independent regulatory agencies; and (4) expand judicial review of agency rulemaking. The bill exempts from UMRA requirements rules that concern monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee.

bill revises rulemaking requirements unfunded mandates reform act umra require federal agencies prepare publish federal_register initial final regulatory impact analysis prior promulgating proposed final rule annual effect economy million adjusted inflation consideration burdensome alternative rule mandatory require selection costly cost effective burdensome alternative extend umra requirements independent regulatory agencies expand judicial review agency rulemaking bill exempts umra requirements rules concern monetary policy proposed implemented board_of_governors federal_reserve_system federal_open_market_committee


Summary:
Equal Access to Congressional Research Service Reports Act of 2016

This bill directs the Government Publishing Office (GPO) to establish and maintain a public website containing Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports, and an index, that are searchable, sortable, and downloadable (including in bulk), for which no fee may be charged.

The CRS Reports on the website shall include CRS Authorization of Appropriations Products, Appropriations Products, and any other written CRS product containing CRS research or analysis available for general congressional access on the CRS Congressional Intranet.

The website shall exclude any:

 custom product or service prepared in direct response to a request for custom analysis or research and not available for general congressional access on the CRS Congressional Intranet; CRS Reports, Authorization of Appropriations Products, or Appropriations Products not so available; or written CRS products that CRS has made available on a public website (besides this website) maintained by the GPO or the Library of Congress. The GPO shall ensure that the website is updated contemporaneously, automatically, and electronically to include each new or updated CRS Report.

Before transmitting a CRS Report to the GPO for publication on the website, CRS may remove the name of, and any contact information for, any CRS employee.

The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 is amended to require CRS to comply with this Act.

bill directs government_publishing_office gpo establish maintain public website containing congressional_research_service crs reports index searchable downloadable including bulk fee charged crs reports website shall include appropriations products written crs product containing crs research analysis available general congressional access website shall exclude custom product service prepared direct response request custom analysis research available general congressional access available written crs products crs available public website website maintained gpo library_of_congress gpo shall ensure website updated automatically electronically include new updated crs report transmitting crs report gpo publication website crs remove contact information crs employee legislative reorganization act amended require crs comply act


Summary:
Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016

This bill modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of constitutional and statutory provisions and rules.

separation powers restoration act bill modifies scope judicial review agency actions authorize courts reviewing agency actions decide novo relevant questions law including interpretation constitutional statutory provisions rules


Summary:
Getting Results through Enhanced Accountability and Transparency Act of 2016

(Sec. 3) This bill requires that the Government Accountability Office's (GAO's) annual report on its routine investigations to identify programs, agencies, offices, and initiatives with unnecessarily duplicative goals and activities aggregate separately estimates of related costs for instances of actual and potential unnecessary duplication and other potential cost savings and revenue collection.

(Sec. 4) When executive agencies (with certain exceptions) conduct their systemic review of operations on a continuing basis, the purpose of their reviews must include: (1) improving agency performance toward their mission, (2) informing learning and decision-making processes, (3) assessing opportunities to improve coordination within the agency and with other agencies, and (4) identifying employees who cause their units to be outstanding toward achieving the agency's mission.

Chief operating officers' responsibilities are expanded to include: (1) improving evaluation and risk management; (2) addressing crosscutting program and management issues, including opportunities to improve coordination and address unnecessary duplication, using an enterprise risk management approach; (3) overseeing agency-specific efforts to improve management of mission-oriented components and units; and (4) coordinating with mission-related components, units, and support functions at their agency and the major components of their agency.

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) federal government performance plan submitted with each budget must provide plans to address management challenges concerning unnecessary duplication. Agency performance plans for each program activity set forth in the budget must include planned actions and performance goals for resolving such challenges.

The OMB's federal government priority goals must include mission support for financial, human capital, information technology, procurement, and real estate management. The OMB must consider GAO recommendations when developing or adjusting such goals. Performance improvement officers must collaborate with the heads of agency components and mission support functions when they advise on strategic planning. Their advice must include performance evaluation and risk management.

The Performance Improvement Council's (PIC's) functions are expanded to include: (1) resolving government-wide issues relating to coordination and unnecessary duplication; (2) facilitating the exchange of performance improvement practices with state and local governments and other nonfederal stakeholders; and (3) coordinating with interagency mission support councils. PIC must also publish annual reports describing its structure, budgets, funding, staffing, and activities.

The chief operating officers of agencies must publish all of the plans and reports produced for Congress with citations to the relevant statutory requirements.

Agencies must submit to Congress statements regarding the actions they have taken in response to recommendations in the GAO's: (1) annual report on unnecessarily duplicative goals and activities; and (2) High Risk list of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement.

getting results enhanced accountability transparency_act sec bill requires government_accountability_office gao annual report routine investigations identify programs agencies offices initiatives unnecessarily duplicative goals activities aggregate separately estimates related costs instances actual potential unnecessary duplication potential cost savings revenue collection sec executive agencies certain exceptions conduct systemic review operations continuing basis purpose reviews include improving agency performance mission informing learning decision making processes assessing opportunities improve coordination agency agencies identifying employees cause units outstanding achieving agency mission chief operating officers responsibilities expanded include improving evaluation risk management addressing crosscutting program management issues including opportunities improve coordination address unnecessary duplication enterprise risk management approach overseeing agency specific efforts improve management mission oriented components units coordinating mission related components units support functions agency major components agency office_of_management_and_budget omb federal government performance plan submitted budget provide plans address management challenges concerning unnecessary duplication agency performance plans program activity set forth budget include planned actions performance goals resolving challenges omb federal government priority goals include mission support financial human capital information technology procurement real estate management omb consider gao recommendations developing adjusting goals performance improvement officers collaborate heads agency components mission support functions advise strategic planning advice include performance evaluation risk management performance_improvement_council functions expanded include resolving government wide issues relating coordination unnecessary duplication facilitating exchange performance improvement practices state local governments nonfederal stakeholders coordinating interagency mission support councils publish annual reports describing structure budgets funding staffing activities chief operating officers agencies publish plans reports produced congress citations relevant statutory requirements agencies submit congress statements actions taken response recommendations gao annual report unnecessarily duplicative goals activities high risk list fraud waste abuse mismanagement


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to obtain federal agency records required to discharge the GAO's duties (including audit, evaluation, and investigative duties), including through bringing civil actions to require an agency to produce a record.

No provision of the Social Security Act shall be construed to limit, amend, or supersede the GAO's authority to: (1) obtain information or inspect records about an agency's duties, powers, activities, organization, or financial transactions; or (2) obtain other agency records that the GAO requires to discharge its duties.

Agency statements on actions taken or planned in response to GAO recommendations must be submitted to: (1) the congressional committees with jurisdiction over the pertinent agency program or activity, and (2) the GAO.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure gao access oversight act sec bill authorizes government_accountability_office gao obtain federal agency records required discharge gao duties including audit evaluation investigative duties including bringing civil actions require agency produce record provision social security act shall construed limit amend supersede gao authority obtain information inspect records agency duties powers activities organization financial transactions obtain agency records gao requires discharge duties agency statements actions taken planned response gao recommendations submitted congressional committees jurisdiction pertinent agency program activity gao


Summary:
Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act or the OPEN Government Data Act

(Sec. 5) This bill requires government data assets made available by federal agencies to be published as machine-readable data. When not otherwise prohibited by law, and to the extent practicable, the data must be available: (1) in an open format that does not impede use or reuse and that has standards maintained by a standards organization; and (2) under open licenses with a legal guarantee that the data be available at no cost to the public with no restrictions on copying, publication, distribution, transmittal, citing, or adaptation.

These requirements do not apply to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Federal Election Commission, and certain other government entities.

If published government data assets are not available under an open license, the data must be considered part of the worldwide public domain. Agencies may engage with outside organizations and citizens to leverage public data assets for innovation in public and private sectors.

(Sec. 6) The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) Federal Chief Information Officer must coordinate with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and the heads of other OMB offices to oversee and advise the OMB Director on federal information resources management policy.

The OMB must oversee the completeness and public availability of an "enterprise data inventory" that agencies must develop to account for any data assets that they create, collect, control, or maintain. The inventory must include: (1) data assets used in agency information systems, shared among agencies or across agency programs, or created by more than one agency; (2) an indication of data assets that can be made publicly available under the Freedom of Information Act; (3) a description of whether the agency has determined that an individual data asset may be made publicly available and whether it is currently publicly available; (4) nonpublic data assets; and (5) government data assets generated by applications, devices, networks, and equipment.

(Sec. 7) Agencies must: (1) make their enterprise data inventories available to the public on Data.gov; (2) use an open format when they create or obtain a new government data asset; and (3) consult with the OMB, the General Services Administration (GSA), and the National Archives and Records Administration to review their enterprise data inventories. For privacy, security, confidentiality, or regulatory reasons, agencies may maintain a nonpublic portion of their inventories.

Agencies must develop an open data plan as a part of their strategic information resources management plans to: (1) require new data collections to use an open format; (2) allow agencies to collaborate with nongovernment entities, researchers, businesses, and private citizens on data usage; and (3) designate a point of contact to assist the public and respond to complaints about adherence to open data requirements.

The OMB's Office of Electronic Government is renamed the Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer.

Agencies are not required to publish notices in the Federal Register about information collection that is focused on gathering input about the performance of, or public satisfaction with, the agency's service if the collection is: (1) online and electronic, (2) voluntary with no benefit to the provider of the information, and (3) an extremely low burden that is typically completed in five minutes or less. But agencies must publish representative summaries of such information collections.

The OMB must collaborate with the Office of Government Information Services and the GSA to develop an online repository of tools, best practices, and schema standards to facilitate the adoption of open data practices.

The OMB must report every two years on agency performance and compliance with this bill.

The GAO must report on the value of information made available to the public, whether public availability should be expanded to other data assets, and the completeness of each agency's enterprise data inventory.

(Sec. 8) The GSA must maintain a single public interface online as a point of entry dedicated to sharing open government data with the public.

(Sec. 9) Chief information officers are responsible for:

 data asset management, format standardization, the sharing and publication of data assets; the compilation and publication of the enterprise data inventory for their agency; conformity with open data practices; support for performance improvement officer functions; reduction of barriers that inhibit data asset accessibility; agencies' maximization of their own use of data to reduce costs, improve operations, and strengthen security and privacy protections; and identification of points of contact for roles and responsibilities related to open data use and implementation. The Chief Information Officers Council must work with the Office of Government Information Services and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to promote data interoperability and comparability of data assets across the government.

(Sec. 10) Chief operating officers of agencies must report to Congress and the OMB with an assessment of the coverage, methods, effectiveness, and independence of their evaluation research and analysis efforts. The GAO must report on agency findings and make any appropriate recommendations to improve agency capacity to use evaluation techniques and data to support such efforts.

open public electronic act open government data act sec bill requires government data assets available federal agencies published machine readable data prohibited law extent practicable data available open format impede use reuse standards maintained standards organization open licenses legal guarantee data available cost public restrictions copying publication distribution transmittal adaptation requirements apply government_accountability_office gao federal_election_commission certain government entities published government data assets available open license data considered worldwide public domain agencies engage outside organizations citizens leverage public data assets innovation public private sectors sec office_of_management_and_budget omb federal chief information officer coordinate office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs heads omb offices oversee advise omb director federal information resources management policy omb oversee completeness public availability enterprise data inventory agencies develop account data assets create collect control maintain inventory include data assets agency information systems shared agencies agency programs created agency indication data assets publicly available freedom information act description agency determined individual data asset publicly available currently publicly available nonpublic data assets government data assets generated applications devices networks equipment sec agencies enterprise data inventories available public use open format create obtain new government data asset consult omb general_services_administration gsa national_archives_and_records_administration review enterprise data inventories privacy security confidentiality regulatory reasons agencies maintain nonpublic portion inventories agencies develop open data plan strategic information resources management plans require new data collections use open format allow agencies collaborate nongovernment entities researchers businesses private citizens data usage designate point contact assist public respond complaints adherence open data requirements omb office_of_electronic_government renamed agencies required publish notices federal_register information collection focused gathering input performance public satisfaction agency service collection online electronic voluntary benefit provider information extremely low burden typically completed minutes agencies publish representative summaries information collections omb collaborate office_of_government_information_services gsa develop online repository tools best practices standards facilitate adoption open data practices omb report years agency performance compliance bill gao report value information available public public availability expanded data assets completeness agency enterprise data inventory sec gsa maintain single public interface online point entry dedicated sharing open government data public sec chief information officers responsible data asset management format standardization sharing publication data assets compilation publication enterprise data inventory agency conformity open data practices support performance improvement officer functions reduction barriers inhibit data asset accessibility agencies use data reduce costs improve operations strengthen security privacy protections identification points contact roles responsibilities related open data use implementation chief information officers council work office_of_government_information_services office_of_science_and_technology_policy promote data interoperability comparability data assets government sec chief operating officers agencies report congress omb assessment coverage methods effectiveness independence evaluation research analysis efforts gao report agency findings appropriate recommendations improve agency capacity use evaluation techniques data support efforts


Summary:
Corps' Obligation to Assist in Safeguarding Texas Act or the COAST Act

This bill requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite: (1) the completion of the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study by taking into consideration information developed by the Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District, and (2) the completion of the reports for the study. (The study will evaluate the feasibility of developing a comprehensive plan for flood risk management, hurricane and storm risk management, and ecosystem restoration for Texas' coastal areas.) The Corps of Engineers may proceed without additional congressional authorization to preconstruction, engineering, and design of coastal protection projects along the Texas coast that are justified by the Corps of Engineers in the reports.

corps obligation assist safeguarding texas act coast act bill requires expedite completion taking consideration information developed completion reports study study evaluate feasibility developing comprehensive plan flood risk management hurricane storm risk management ecosystem restoration texas coastal areas corps_of_engineers proceed additional congressional authorization preconstruction engineering design coastal protection projects texas coast justified corps_of_engineers reports


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on November 29, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes Act or the ECHO Act

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report on technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models, which connect specialists to primary care providers through videoconferencing to facilitate case-based learning, dissemination of best practices, and evaluation of outcomes.

The report must include: (1) an analysis of the use, integration, and impact of such models; (2) a list of such models recently funded by HHS; (3) recommendations to reduce barriers to adoption of such models; (4) opportunities for adoption of such models into HHS programs; and (5) recommendations regarding the role of such models in continuing medical education.

measure amended passed senate november summary version repeated expanding capacity health outcomes act act sec bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services hhs report technology enabled collaborative learning capacity building models connect specialists primary care providers videoconferencing facilitate case based learning dissemination best practices evaluation outcomes report include analysis use integration impact models list models recently funded hhs recommendations reduce barriers adoption models opportunities adoption models hhs programs recommendations role models continuing medical education


Summary:
Reports Reduction Act of 2016

This bill eliminates or modifies reporting requirements for programs of:

 the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, State, the Treasury, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs; the U.S. Coast Guard; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Executive Office of the President; the Federal Communications Commission; the Federal Trade Commission; the General Services Administration; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the National Science Foundation; the Office of Personnel Management; the Director of National Intelligence; and the Small Business Administration. The Andean Trade Preference Act is amended to eliminate the U.S. International Trade Commission's reports regarding the economic impact of the President's authority to proclaim duty-free treatment to beneficiary countries and the effectiveness of drug-related crop eradication.

The bill eliminates a provision that required the President to report on compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act for projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

reports reduction act bill eliminates modifies reporting requirements programs homeland_security housing_and_urban_development justice labor state treasury transportation veterans_affairs environmental_protection_agency executive_office president federal_communications_commission federal_trade_commission general_services_administration national_aeronautics_and_space_administration national_science_foundation office_of_personnel_management director national_intelligence small_business_administration andean_trade_preference_act amended eliminate reports economic impact president authority proclaim duty free treatment beneficiary countries effectiveness drug related crop eradication bill eliminates provision required president report compliance national_environmental_policy_act projects american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act


Summary:
Federal Research Transparency and Accountability Act of 2016

This bill directs the Office of Management and Budget to coordinate with each federal agency that provides funding to entities to carry out research and development to establish a system for the detection of potential duplicative applications for funding in order to prevent duplicative funding.

Each federal agency shall include in a publicly accessible database a searchable listing of each unclassified research and development project the agency funds, including contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or task orders.

The acknowledgment section in each study carried out in whole or in part with federal funds and published, presented at a conference or meeting, or otherwise made publicly available shall include:

 the name of the agency that provided funding for the study, the project or award number associated with the study, and an estimate of the study's total cost. The Government Accountability Office shall study agency compliance with these requirements.

accountability act bill directs office_of_management_and_budget coordinate federal agency provides funding entities carry research development establish system detection potential duplicative applications funding order prevent duplicative funding federal agency shall include publicly accessible database searchable listing unclassified research development project agency funds including contracts grants cooperative agreements task orders acknowledgment section study carried federal funds published presented conference meeting publicly available shall include agency provided funding study project award number associated study estimate study total cost government_accountability_office shall study agency compliance requirements