IB
Union Calendar No. 361
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4607
[Report No. 112–513, Part I]
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 24, 2012
Mr. Ribble (for himself, Mr. Issa, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Carter, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Paul, and Mr. Jones) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
June 1, 2012
Additional sponsors: Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Canseco, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Terry, and Mr. Griffin of Arkansas
June 1, 2012
Reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
June 1, 2012
The Committee on the Judiciary discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
A BILL
To ensure economy and efficiency of Federal Government operations by establishing a moratorium on midnight rules during a President’s final days in office, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Midnight Rule Relief Act of
2012
.
Moratorium on midnight rules
Except as provided under sections 3 and 4, during the moratorium period, an agency may not propose or finalize any midnight rule that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget finds is likely to result in—
an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more;
a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic regions; or
significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets.
Special rule on statutory, regulatory, and judicial deadlines
In general
Section 2 shall not apply with respect to any deadline—
for, relating to, or involving any midnight rule;
that was established before the beginning of the moratorium period; and
that is required to be taken during the moratorium period.
Publication of deadlines
Not later than 30 days after the beginning of a moratorium period, the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget shall identify and publish in the Federal Register a list of deadlines covered by subsection (a).
Exception
Emergency exception
Section 2 shall not apply to a midnight rule if the President determines that the midnight rule is—
necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency;
necessary for the enforcement of criminal laws;
necessary for the national security of the United States; or
issued pursuant to any statute implementing an international trade agreement.
Deregulatory exception
Section 2 shall not apply to a midnight rule that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within the Office of Management and Budget certifies in writing is limited to repealing an existing rule.
Notice of exceptions
Not later than 30 days after a determination under subsection (a) or a certification is made under subsection (b), the head of the relevant agency shall publish in the Federal Register any midnight rule excluded from the moratorium period due to an exception under this section.
Definitions
In this Act:
Agency
The term agency has the meaning given that term under section 551 of title 5, United States Code, except that such term does not include—
the Federal Election Commission;
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; or
the United States Postal Service.
Deadline
The term deadline means any date certain for fulfilling any obligation or exercising any authority established by or under any Federal statute or rule, or by or under any court order implementing any Federal statute, regulation, or rule.
Moratorium period
The term moratorium period means the day after the day referred to in section 1 of title 3, United States Code, through January 20 of the following year, in which a President is not serving a consecutive term.
Midnight rule
The term midnight rule means an agency statement of general applicability and future effect, issued during the moratorium period, that is intended to have the force and effect of law and is designed—
to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy; or
to describe the procedure or practice requirements of an agency.
Rule
The term rule has the meaning given that term under section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
June 1, 2012
Reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
June 1, 2012
The Committee on the Judiciary discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
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