Bills · HR 1226
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1226Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversight
Restoring Checks and Balances Act
INTRO FEB 12· LAST ACTION FEB 12
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
2
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it fundamentally changes the nature of federal regulations, shifting from a system where rules generally remain in effect indefinitely to one where most new rules have a built-in expiration date. Currently, once an agency issues a rule, it's typically permanent unless the agency changes it or a court intervenes. If this bill passes, a large portion of new federal rules would face mandatory review and potential expiration every five years.
Voters should care because this could lead to a significant reduction in outdated or unnecessary regulations over time, potentially easing burdens on businesses and individuals. However, it also introduces the risk that important rules, such as those protecting public health, safety, or the environment, could expire if Congress fails to reauthorize them in time. It also increases Congress's direct control over the regulatory landscape, potentially making the regulatory environment more responsive to elected officials but also more susceptible to political gridlock.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Any new "covered rule" issued by a federal agency will automatically expire five years after its effective date.
This establishes a built-in expiration for many new federal regulations, requiring periodic re-evaluation rather than permanent existence.
PROVISION 02
After a rule expires, the issuing agency cannot reissue, enforce, or revise it without specific reauthorization by an Act of Congress.
This prevents agencies from circumventing the sunset provision by simply re-creating an expired rule without legislative approval.
PROVISION 03
If an agency wants a rule reauthorized, it must submit a detailed request to Congress one year before the rule's scheduled expiration, justifying its continued need.
This creates a formal process for Congressional review and debate on the necessity and effectiveness of existing regulations.
PROVISION 04
Reports submitted by agencies requesting reauthorization must be made publicly available on the agency's website.
This increases transparency and allows the public to see which rules agencies want to keep and their justifications.
PROVISION 05
Certain types of rules are exempt from the sunset provision, including those related to military/foreign affairs, criminal law enforcement, agency internal operations, formal rulemaking, and imminent emergencies.
This ensures that critical government functions and urgent responses are not disrupted by the automatic expiration requirement.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
R· Indiana
YRS IN OFFICE
15
BILLS LED
15
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 2 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 12
Introduced in House
FEB 12
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 1226
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 12, 2025
Last actionFeb 12, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 12, 2025
House BillHR 1226Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversight
Restoring Checks and Balances Act
INTRODUCED FEB 12, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 12, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
