When unelected bureaucrats can pass billion-dollar regulations without your elected representatives voting for them, it’s clear that something has to change. Take the REINS Act — a protection every state should adopt to curb out-of-control rulemaking, especially after the Supreme Court struck down Chevron’s deference, a Mike Tyson-level knockout blow to the administrative state.
I’ll say it right from the start: every state government must pass some form of this legislation.
The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act is a proposed law aimed at improving oversight of federal and regulatory agencies. It requires that any major regulation proposed by an executive agency receive the express approval of both houses of Congress before it can take effect.
Several states are considering similar laws. Some states, such as Indianahave already passed a version of this bill. It is an excellent complement to the repeal of the Chevron Reference legal doctrine as it would facilitate curb the power of unelected bureaucrats, who essentially have the power to unilaterally enact laws with significant economic or societal impact without accountability or oversight.
According to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), Oklahoma state lawmakers are considering a similar measure to ease the state’s hefty regulatory burden. With more than 142,313 regulations, the federal state is the 17thThThe state is the most heavily regulated state, even surpassing blue states like Minnesota and Connecticut.
Proponents of the REINS law in the Sooner State argue that it would ensure greater accountability and limit the power of unelected bureaucrats. Daniel Dew of the Pacific Legal Foundation warned that without these necessary reforms, state legislatures would essentially cede power to “some mid-level bureaucrat in a basement” who could impose burdensome, costly and unnecessary rules without oversight.
Georgia, on the other hand, is in 26th placeTh The most regulated state in the union with 111,899 restrictions George Mason University Market Center. These regulations are associated with greater poverty, slower growth and higher inflation.
The Peach State appears to be in dire need of its own REINS law, which is why state lawmakers are pushing for such a solution.
The proposed law reaffirms a constitutional principle that seems long forgotten: Legislative power rests with elected officials who are accountable to the public, not with any man or woman sitting at a desk in a comfortable office.
“By requiring a vote in Congress, this legislation will result in more carefully crafted and detailed legislation, an improved regulatory process, and a legislature that is truly accountable to the American people,” it said Federal draft lawwhich was introduced by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL).
The bill essentially requires any “significant regulation” that could result in annual costs of $100 million or more or have a negative impact on public health, safety, competition or the environment to be subject to a vote by the Legislature subject to. “An important provision will not become effective until Congress passes a joint authorizing resolution,” the bill states.
If Congress does not approve the rule within 70 days, it will be repealed.
That’s what we need in all states: less bureaucracy and more control. Allowing administrators to simply enact rules that incorporate the power of the law without being accountable to the public only creates an environment ripe for corruption and abuse. It is the exact opposite of what the Founding Fathers envisioned when they created our form of government. It is time to take power back from the administrative state and put it back in the hands of the people.
