The "Regulatory Cooling Off Act of 2025" modifies the rule implementation process by mandating a 6-month delay between a rule's finalization and its effective date, allowing more time for public feedback, congressional review, and legal challenges.
Harriet Hageman
Representative
WY
The "Regulatory Cooling Off Act of 2025" amends Title 5 of the United States Code to modify the rule implementation process. It enforces a minimum 60-day feedback period, extends the waiting period for new rules to take effect from 30 days to 6 months, and mandates agencies to submit finalized rules to Congress for review at least 6 months before the rule's effective date. Additionally, it requires agencies to announce the effective date of finalized rules in the Federal Register and on their website at least 24 hours before official publication, and it modifies the review period for Congress to consider the rule from 60 days to 6 months.
Regulatory Cooling Off Act of 2025: New Rules Face 6-Month Delay, More Public Input Required
The "Regulatory Cooling Off Act of 2025" shakes up how federal rules are made, aiming to give the public and Congress more time to weigh in. Basically, it slams the brakes on the whole process, stretching out timelines and adding new review steps.
Rulemaking on Hold
This bill changes the game by extending the waiting period before a new rule can take effect from a mere 30 days to a full 6 months (SEC. 2). Plus, agencies have to allow at least 60 days for public feedback on any proposed rule. Think of it like this: if the EPA wants to update clean water standards, they don't just get to drop it and run. They have to give everyone – from farmers to factory owners – a solid two months to chime in, and then they're stuck waiting another six months before anything actually changes.
Congress in the Driver's Seat
It also gives Congress a much bigger role. Agencies now have to submit finalized rules to congressional committees for review at least 6 months before those rules kick in (SEC. 2). And Congress gets a full six months to review the rule, up from the previous 60 days. This could mean more thorough checks to ensure new regulations align with what Congress intended. Or, you know, it could mean more opportunities for things to get stalled.
Real-World Rollout & Potential Roadblocks
For everyday folks, this could mean a couple of things. On one hand, more time for review and public comment means more chances to shape the rules that affect you. Imagine a small business owner who now has ample time to explain how a new regulation might impact their operations. Or a community group that can rally support for or against a proposed change to environmental rules. But, the flipside? This extended timeline could slow down everything. Needed safety updates, consumer protections, or environmental regulations could get stuck in limbo. It's a trade-off between more careful consideration and potential delays.
The bill also changes where legal challenges can be filed. Instead of being limited to Washington D.C., lawsuits can now be brought in the district where the plaintiff lives or where the agency has an office (SEC. 2). This could make it easier for individuals and smaller businesses to challenge rules, rather than having to take on the cost and hassle of a DC-based lawsuit. This might be good news for people who have been affected by regulatory overreach in the past, but it remains to be seen if this will significantly impact the number of lawsuits filed.
The Big Picture
This Act fits into a larger trend of trying to rein in the power of federal agencies. It builds on existing laws (Title 5 of the United States Code) but adds significant new hurdles to the rulemaking process. Whether that's a good or bad thing really depends on your perspective – and how smoothly (or not) this new process actually works in practice.