    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [September 30, 1993]
    [Pages 1635-1636]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Agency Rulemaking Procedures
    September 30, 1993

    Memorandum for Heads of Departments and Agencies

    Subject: Agency Rulemaking Procedures

        Today, I issued an Executive order setting forth the
    Administration's regulatory philosophy; defining a more effective and
    accountable role for the Executive Office of the President in regulatory
    planning and review; and establishing the procedures to be followed by
    agencies and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (``OIRA'')
    in promulgating and reviewing regulations. One primary objective of this
    order is to streamline the regulatory review process, thus reducing the
    delay in the developing and promulgating rules.
        We cannot, however, reduce delay in the rulemaking process without
    reforms within the agencies themselves. The National Performance Review
    team examining the issue found that many agencies require numerous
    clearances within the agency before a rule is submitted to OIRA for
    review. (Indeed, one agency found that its internal review process could
    only be described by using an 18-foot flow chart.) The team also learned
    that too often agencies use the same internal review procedures for all
    rules--regardless of their complexity or significance.
        In order to streamline the entire rulemaking process, agencies must,
    consistent with any applicable laws, utilize internally the most
    efficient method of developing and reviewing regulations. Accordingly, I
    direct the head of each agency and department to examine its internal
    review procedures to determine whether, and if so, how those procedures
    can be improved and streamlined. In conducting this examination, the
    agency or department shall consider the number of

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    clearances required by its review process and whether the review process
    varies according to the complexity or significance of a rule.
        I further direct the head of each agency and department to submit to
    the Vice President and me, within 6 months of this memorandum, the
    results of its examination.

                                                          William J. Clinton