Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act of 2025

Key Points

• Federal agencies would have to publish detailed cost-and-benefit writeups for big new rules before proposing them and again before finalizing them.
• These writeups must compare different options (including doing nothing) and estimate impacts like job gains or losses, and uneven effects on regions or small businesses when feasible.
• Agencies would have to consult earlier and more widely with state, local, and Tribal governments and affected private groups, including small businesses, instead of waiting until late in the process.
• For major rules, agencies would generally be required to pick the option with the biggest net benefit, or explain why they chose something else and get approval from the federal regulatory review office.
• People affected by a major final rule could sue in court arguing the agency didn’t follow these analysis and “best option” steps, which could slow or change some regulations.