Improve Public Engagement Related to Agency Regulatory Actions (US0121)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: United States Action Plan 2022-2024 (December)
Action Plan Cycle: 2022
Status:
Institutions
Lead Institution:
Support Institution(s):
Policy Areas
Democratizing Decision-Making, Regulatory GovernanceIRM Review
IRM Report: United States Action Plan Review 2022–2024
Early Results: Pending IRM Review
Design i
Verifiable: No
Relevant to OGP Values: Yes
Ambition (see definition): Low
Implementation i
Completion: Pending IRM Review
Description
Regulations are a critical way that the Fed- eral Government makes and implements policy, ranging from how benefit programs are administered to how the Federal Government enforces workplace safety and health protections, and touching countless other areas of Americans’ lives. The Federal regulatory process provides opportunities for members of the public to offer their perspectives on specific proposals, including through written comments and meetings during regulatory review. 8 However, Federal agencies do not always hear from communities that might be affected by proposed regulatory actions—especially historically underserved communities. The Federal Government has taken several important steps to broaden the voices that agencies hear from in the regulatory process.
First, President Biden has issued a memorandum calling on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to lead an effort to modernize the regulatory review process, including by exploring opportunities to broaden public engagement. In addition, OMB has recommended that agencies engage the public when developing their annual regulatory agendas—that is, lists of regulatory actions that agencies are considering in the coming months and years. Beyond those measures, individual Federal agencies are also using innovative tools to engage the public in the rulemaking process, including through improved public resources, regional townhalls, Requests for Informa- tion, and collaborations with community-based organizations to share regulatory priorities and solicit communi- ty input. Over the next year, the Federal Government commits to supporting greater community engagement in the rulemaking process, including through its efforts to modernize the regulatory review process, through tools, guidance, and other resources.