Regulatory Transparency: Conflict Disclosure, Public Advocate, and Stronger Agency Rules.
This Act significantly increases transparency in federal rulemaking by requiring corporations and interested parties to disclose funding sources for scientific studies used to influence regulations. It establishes civil penalties for submitting false information and creates a National Public Advocate to boost citizen participation and ensure rules consider social equity impacts. The goal is to make the regulatory process more accountable and focused on public benefit.
Key points
Companies must disclose funding and conflicts of interest related to scientific or economic studies submitted to influence new federal rules.
Publicly traded companies face civil penalties (starting at $250,000) for knowingly submitting false or misleading information during the rulemaking process.
A new Office of the Public Advocate is established to help citizens participate in rulemaking and assess the social equity impact of proposed regulations.
The law reinforces judicial deference to agency interpretations of law, making it harder for courts to overturn federal regulations.
Introduced
Citizen Poll