Multi-Industry Letter Supporting H.R. 3010, the “Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011"

Release Date:

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

The undersigned groups strongly urge you to pass H.R. 3010, the “Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011,” which would modernize the 65-year old Administrative Procedure Act and improve how federal agencies write the regulations that most significantly affect the U.S. economy.

We strongly believe that regulations need to be narrowly tailored, be supported by strong and credible data and evidence, and impose the lowest possible burden while still implementing Congressional intent. When agencies produce regulations that do not reflect these ideals, better mechanisms are needed to hold them accountable.

The “Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011” would enhance the regulatory process by:

Increasing public participation in shaping the most costly regulations before they are proposed;
Requiring that agencies must choose the least costly option unless they can demonstrate a
need to protect public health, safety, or welfare;
Giving interested parties the opportunity to hold agencies accountable for their
compliance with the Information Quality Act;
Providing for on-the-record administrative hearings for the most costly regulations to
insure that agency data is well tested and reviewed;
Restricting agencies’ use of interim final regulations where no comments are taken before
a regulation takes effect and providing for expedited judicial review of whether that
approach is justified; and
Providing for a more rigorous test in legal challenges for those regulations that would
have the most impact.

The “Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011” would build on established principles of fair regulatory process and review embodied in executive orders since the Clinton administration. These principles make the regulatory process more transparent, agencies more accountable, and regulations more cost-effective. This legislation would not affect any regulations that are already in effect, nor would it impact enforcement under current regulations.

We strongly urge you to support this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Academy of General Dentistry
Adhesive & Sealant Council
Aeronautical Repair Station Association
American Apparel & Footwear Association
American Architectural Manufacturers Association
American Bakers Association
American Chemistry Council
American Coatings Association
American Coke & Coal Chemicals Institute
American Composites Manufacturers Association
American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association
American Financial Services Association
American Forest & Paper Association
American Foundry Society
American Home Furnishings Alliance
American Hotel & Lodging Association
American Institute for International Steel
American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association
American Petroleum Institute
American Sportfishing Association
American Trucking Associations
American Wholesale Marketers Association
Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc.
Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. – Illinois Chapter
Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. – Pelican Chapter (LA)
Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. – Rhode Island Chapter
Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. – Rocky Mountain Chapter (CO)
Associated Equipment Distributors
Associated General Contractors of America
Associated General Contractors of California
Associated Wire Rope Fabricators
Association for Hose & Accessories Distribution
Association of Marina Industries
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association
Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association
Brick Industry Association
Business Roundtable
Can Manufacturers Institute
Consumer Data Industry Association
Consumer Specialty Products Association
Council of Industrial Boiler Owners
CTIA – The Wireless Association
Edison Electric Institute
Equipment Marketing & Distribution Association
Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International
Fashion Accessories Shippers Association
Financial Services Roundtable
Food Marketing Institute
Forging Industry Association
INDA – Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry
Industrial Energy Consumers of America
Industrial Fasteners Institute
Industrial Supply Association
Institute of Makers of Explosives
Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute
International Sign Association
International Sleep Products Association
International Warehouse Logistics Association
Irrigation Association
Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
Metal Powder Industries Federation
Metal Treating Institute
Metals Service Center Institute
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
National Association of Chemical Distributors
National Association of Federal Credit Unions
National Association of Home Builders
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of REALTORS®
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
National Black Chamber of Commerce
National Club Association
National Council of Chain Restaurants
National Council of Textile Organizations
National Electrical Contractors Association
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
National Federation of Independent Business
National Funeral Directors Association
National Grain & Feed Association
National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association
National Marine Distributors Association
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Mining Association
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Petrochemical & Refiners Association
National Restaurant Association
National Retail Federation
National Roofing Contractors Association
National Shooting Sports Foundation
National Small Business Association
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association
Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society
North American Die Casting Association
North American Equipment Dealers Association
North American Millers’ Association
NPES – The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing & Converting Technologies
Nuclear Energy Institute
Outdoor Power Equipment & Engine Service Association
Plastic Pipe & Fittings Association
Portland Cement Association
Precision Machined Products Association
Pressure Sensitive Tape Council
Printing Industries of America
Professional Landcare Network
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
Retail Industry Leaders Association
Salt Institute
Shipbuilders Council of America
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates
SouthWestern Association
Specialty Equipment Market Association
SPI – The Plastics Industry Trade Association
Steel Manufacturers Association
Textile Rental Services Association
The Remanufacturing Institute
Tree Care Industry Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Window & Door Manufacturers Association