[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 21 (Thursday, February 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E254]]
                  UNFUNDED MANDATE REFORM ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                         HON JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 19, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5) to curb 
     the practice of imposing unfunded Federal mandates on States 
     and local governments, to ensure that the Federal Government 
     pays the costs incurred by those governments in complying 
     with certain requirements under Federal statutes and 
     regulations, and to provide information on the cost of 
     Federal mandates on the private sector, and for other 
     purposes.

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5, the 
Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995.
  I have long supported this legislation and was a cosponsor of mandate 
relief legislation during both the 102d and 103d Congress. This 
legislation is aimed at reducing the growing number of mandatory 
regulations we impose on State and local governments.
  These mandates have become a tremendous burden on local officials. As 
a former St. Clair County board chairman, I understand how Federal 
mandates can create pressure on State and local governments to raise 
taxes in order to comply with onerous Federal regulations.
  This bill will make it more difficult for Congress to pass bills 
continuing unfunded Federal mandates onto State and local governments. 
It would be against the rules of the House to pass any legislation 
containing any intergovernmental mandate, and would require an analysis 
of any mandate on the private sector.
  In effect, it would prevent the House from passing a mandate except 
when a majority of Members vote to waive the rules, or if the funding 
is provided to pay for the mandate itself.
  The bill also requires not just the Congress but Federal agencies to 
assess the effects of Federal regulations on State and local 
governments, as well as the private sector, and to publish a special 
analysis before issuing any new regulation which may result in 
aggregate costs of $100 million or more. The measure requires each 
agency to establish a process to ensure local input into the 
development of regulations with significant Federal mandates, and 
establishes a commission to review unfunded mandates and provide 
recommendations on reducing them.
  This measure does make exceptions to certain Federal laws which are 
designed to give basic rights to our citizens. The mandate legislation 
would not apply to provisions of Federal law or regulations that 
implement or enforce individuals' constitutional rights, Federal civil 
rights antidiscrimination laws, or accounting or auditing procedures 
for Federal grants.
  Mr. Speaker, there are some mandates--such as safety standards in the 
workplace--which should be mandated. However, there is no reason why 
Congress cannot work with American companies and provide the funding to 
comply with these mandates.
  This mandate relief legislation is long overdue, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.


                          ____________________