# Plain Language Summary: Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act

This bill requires that any new rule created by a federal agency must be personally signed off on by someone who was appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Right now, many rules are created and finalized by career staff members or lower-level appointees who work within agencies like the EPA, FDA, or Department of Labor. This bill would change that by making sure the top leadership—people who answer directly to the President—takes personal responsibility for every significant rule that comes out of their agency.

The bill also requires that anyone who starts the process of creating a new rule must be a high-level appointee, not just a regular government employee. The idea behind this is to create a clearer chain of accountability: if you don't like a rule, you know exactly who signed off on it and who you can hold responsible. Supporters argue this prevents unelected bureaucrats from making major decisions that affect people's lives without direct oversight. However, there's an emergency exception built in—if an agency head decides that following this requirement would endanger public safety or national security, they can skip it, but they have to explain why in writing and publish that explanation.

The practical effect would be that creating new regulations takes longer and requires more involvement from top officials. This could slow down how quickly agencies respond to problems, since the head of an agency would need to personally review and sign every rule. It could also mean fewer rules get created overall, since top officials have limited time. For everyday people, this might mean slower action on things like environmental protections, workplace safety standards, or consumer protections—but it could also mean less regulation if you prefer less government involvement in business and daily life.

Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act

Cline, Ben

Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking ActThis bill requires, subject to a limited exception, that any agency rule promulgated under notice and comment procedures must be (1) initiated by a senior appointee (e.g., an individual who was appointed by the President or is a non-career member of the Senior Executive Service), and&nbsp;(2) issued and signed by an individual who was appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs must issue guidance for agencies to implement this requirement.