Reporting and compilation of participation data

(a)

Definitions

In this Act— (1)the term agency has the meaning given under section 551(1) of title 5, United States Code; (2)the term General Services Administration Office means— (A)except as provided under subparagraph (B), the Regulatory Information Service Center; or (B)another office within the General Services Administration designated by the Administrator of General Services; (3)the term participant means the employing or affiliated organization of an individual representing interests before an agency promulgating a rule; (4)the term rule has the meaning given under section 551(4) of title 5, United States Code; and (5)the term rulemaking has the meaning given under section 551(5) of title 5, United States Code. (b)

Representation by participants

For purposes of this section, a participant represents— (1)an economic interest when the participant— (A)has a substantial economic interest in the outcome of the rulemaking; (B)represents an entity with a substantial economic interest in the outcome of the rulemaking; or (C)represents an association that receives substantial membership dues or contributions from entities that have a substantial economic interest in the outcome of the rulemaking; (2)a non-economic interest when the participant claims to represent the public at large and does not represent an economic interest; (3)a citizen interest when the participant does not claim to represent the public at large and does not represent an economic interest; and (4)an unknown interest if the promulgating agency cannot reasonably discern whether the participant represents an economic, non-economic, or citizen interest. (c)

Submission of regulatory information to General Services Administration

Before publication in the Federal Register of a final rule under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, the promulgating agency shall submit to the General Services Administration Office a list of all non-Federal Government participants who provided public comments to the agency on the rule, specifying, as reasonably possible— (1)the name and address of the participant; (2)the participant’s organizational affiliation, where appropriate; (3)whether the participant represents an economic interest, a non-economic interest, a citizen interest, or an unknown interest; and (4)whether any comment of the participant affected or did not affect the content of the final rule. (d)

Compilation, publication, and reporting of information by General Services Administration

(1)

Searchable database

The General Services Administration Office shall compile the information provided by promulgating agencies under subsection (c) into a searchable database made publicly available on the Internet. The database shall be kept as current as reasonably possible. (2)

Quarterly trend and overview statistics

The General Services Administration Office shall make publicly available on the Internet quarterly trend and overview statistics. The General Services Administration Office shall present the data received from promulgating agencies in a manner so as to facilitate oversight, and shall emphasize the relative level and effectiveness of participation in the regulatory process of economic, non-economic, and citizen interests. (3)

Annual reports

The General Services Administration Office shall submit an annual report to the relevant committees of Congress that summarizes the data received from promulgating agencies, with an emphasis on the relative level and effectiveness of participation in the regulatory process of economic, non-economic, and citizen interests. (4)

Consultation

In performing its duties under this section, the General Services Administration Office shall consult with the Administrative Conference of the United States as the General Services Administration Office determines appropriate. (e)

Regulations

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of General Services shall promulgate regulations necessary to implement this section.