[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E50]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            INTRODUCTION OF THE REGULATORY SUNSET ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                            HON. JIM CHAPMAN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. CHAPMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the 
Regulatory Sunset Act of 1995. This legislation, which I first 
introduced in the 103d Congress, will put a framework in place to curb 
the excessive costs of both current and future federal regulations. The 
concept is simple.
  Regulations which are obsolete, inconsistent, duplicative, or impede 
competition will be abolished or modified. Not only will future 
regulations, which cause an unnecessary burden be affected, but the 
thousands of existing regulations would be placed under intense review 
and scrutiny by the Regulatory Sunset Act of 1995. As the 104th 
Congress begins the process of reviewing the Federal regulatory system, 
it is important that this combined focus not be forgotten.
  This issue of Federal regulatory reform has not been born overnight. 
Since 1978, each administration has tried to curtail the impact of 
Federal regulations. Unfortunately, these attempts have not made much 
of a difference as total regulatory costs exceed $500 billion annually. 
This burden on the American taxpayer must be reduced, and the only way 
to effectively do that is to take a serious look at existing 
regulations.
  I believe my legislation achieves the goal of reducing excessive 
existing regulations, while ensuring future regulations are not 
overburdensome. The Regulatory Sunset Act of 1995 will mandate the 
automatic termination of agency regulations that do not measure up to 
criteria outlined in the bill. All existing regulations will sunset in 
7 years unless reauthorized and new regulations promulgated after 
enactment of this bill will be subject to a three year sunset unless 
reauthorized. Once a regulation has been reauthorized, it will be 
subject to continuous review every 7 years thereafter.
  The bill also establishes a Regulatory Sunset Commission that will 
review agency recommendations on regulations and has the final 
authority over whether regulations should be continued, terminated, or 
modified. If the Commission recommends modification of a regulation, it 
provides time for agencies to make appropriate modifications so the 
regulation can then be continued.
  While certain Federal regulations are necessary to meet statutory 
requirements and protect the environment and health and safety of 
individuals, excessive regulatory burdens have impacted our ability to 
ensure an expanding economy. It is past time to address regulations 
that have unintended adverse impacts. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor 
the Regulatory Sunset Act of 1995 and join me in taking a new approach 
to reforming our regulatory program.


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