This legislation requires federal agency officials to be more accountable to Congress through testimony and written responses. Specifically, the bill mandates that within 30 days after a federal agency publishes a major new regulation, the official who signed it must testify before relevant congressional committees, unless a committee chair waives this requirement in writing. The bill also requires officials nominated to Senate-confirmed positions to testify at their confirmation hearings before being confirmed. Additionally, federal agencies must conduct reviews of major rules five years after they take effect, comparing the actual costs and benefits to what was originally predicted, and submit these findings to Congress along with recommendations for changes. The bill also allows agencies to communicate with Congress about proposed rules outside normal comment periods and requires agencies to respond in writing within 30 days to letters from committee chairs, ranking members, or members of Congress on matters within their jurisdiction. If an agency fails to respond within 60 days, the official may be compelled to testify before Congress.
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