# Plain Language Summary: Federal Sunset Act of 2021

This bill creates a system to regularly review federal government agencies and shut down those that are no longer needed or working well. Think of it like a periodic health checkup for government—every agency would get examined to see if it's still doing its job effectively, and if Congress decides it's not needed anymore, it gets abolished.

Here's how it would work in practice: A new commission made up of 12 members (a mix of members of Congress and outside experts) would be created to review federal agencies on a rotating schedule, with each agency getting reviewed at least once every 12 years. The commission would look at things like whether an agency is actually accomplishing what it was created to do, if it's wasting money, if its functions overlap with other agencies, and whether there are better ways to do what it does. After reviewing an agency, the commission would submit a report to Congress with recommendations on whether to keep it, reorganize it, or shut it down. Unless Congress votes to reauthorize an agency within one year of the commission's review, that agency would be abolished. Congress could extend this deadline by two years if they vote with a super majority (a higher threshold than normal) to do so.

The bill also requires the creation of a detailed inventory of all federal programs so the commission and Congress have clear information about what each program does, who it serves, and how much it costs. If an agency gets shut down, the bill says there should be a "reasonable effort" to find other government jobs for displaced employees, though it doesn't guarantee they'll be relocated. The commission itself would expire in 2037 unless Congress votes to keep it going.

Federal Sunset Act of 2021

Hudson, Richard

Federal Sunset Act of 2021 This bill abolishes a federal agency one year after it is reviewed by the Federal Agency Sunset Commission, established by the bill, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Each agency, including each advisory committee, must be reviewed by the commission at least once every 12 years. The commission must (1) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria, (2) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized, and (3) report to Congress on introduced legislation that would establish a new agency or a new program. The commission shall terminate at the end of 2037. The Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Congressional Research Service, shall prepare an inventory of federal programs to assist Congress and the commission in carrying out this bill.