As the House of Representatives prepares to consider H.R. 3010, the Regulatory Accountability Act this week, supporters of open government and transparency received some welcome news from the CBO.

The CBO report on the bill credits the legislation for creating more public participation in the rulemaking process, pointing out that the Regulatory Accountability Act will, “codify many practices aimed at increasing regulatory transparency and accountability that are currently required under several executive orders.”

Additionally, the report concludes that the bill would be implemented at virtually no cost, making a long overdue modernization of a 65-year old law in the name of good government. 

The Chamber commends the lead sponsor of this bipartisan bill, Chairman Lamar Smith, along with Rep. Collin Peterson for their leadership, vision, and recognition of the need for greater agency accountability and citizen participation in rulemakings.