PROVE IT Act of 2016

To provide for Federal agency accountability and improve the effectiveness of major rules in accomplishing their regulatory objectives by requiring retrospective review and report, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Providing Retrospective Observations Validating Economics and Increasing Transparency Act of 2016 PROVE IT Act of 2016 2. Incorporating retrospective review for new major rules (a) In general Subchapter II of chapter 5 (1) in section 551— (A) in paragraph (13), by striking ; and (B) in paragraph (14), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (15) Administrator (16) major rule (A) an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; (B) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic regions; or (C) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets. ; and (2) in section 553, by adding at the end the following: (f) Regulation-Specific frameworks (1) In general Beginning 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, when an agency publishes a final major rule in the Federal Register, the agency shall publish a report on the benefits and costs of the final rule on entities whose conduct is regulated by the rule in the Federal Register biannually thereafter while the rule remains in effect. The report shall— (A) assess the impacts, including any costs, of the major rule on regulated entities; (B) include a determination about how the actual benefits and costs of the major rule has varied from those anticipated at the time the major rule was issued; (C) assess the effectiveness and benefits of the major rule in producing the regulatory objectives of the major rule; and (D) be reviewed by the Administrator when required under Executive order. (2) Report to Congress The agency shall provide a report to Congress not later than 90 days after the agency makes any determination under paragraph (1)(C) that the cost to regulated entities has exceeded the anticipated cost at the time the final rule was issued. Agencies shall assess in their report— (A) whether the major rule is accomplishing its regulatory objective; and (B) whether the major rule has been rendered unnecessary, taking into consideration— (i) changes in the subject area affected by the major rule; (ii) whether the major rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other rules or, to the extent feasible, State and local government regulations; and (iii) other alternatives to the major rule or modification of the major rule could achieve better results while imposing a smaller burden on society or at a lower cost, taking into consideration any cost already incurred. (3) Reopening of public docket Upon delivery of the report required in paragraph (2) the agency shall— (A) reopen the public docket for 60 days to receive additional comments; and (B) consider modifications or alternatives that reduce costs and increase benefits to regulated entities or individuals. (4) Rule of construction Nothing in this subsection may be construed to affect any other provision of law that requires an agency to conduct retrospective reviews of rules issued by the agency. .

Summary: Providing Retrospective Observations Validating Economics and Increasing Transparency Act of 2016 or the PROVE IT Act of 2016 This bill requires a federal agency that publishes a final major rule in the Federal Register to publish, biannually while the rule remains in effect, a report on the benefits and costs of such rule to regulated entities. The report shall: assess the impacts of the rule on such entities, include a determination about how the actual benefits and costs of the rule have varied from those anticipated when the rule was issued, assess the effectiveness and benefits of the rule in producing its regulatory objectives, and be reviewed by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) when required under executive order. The agency shall: (1) within 90 days after determining that the cost of a rule to regulated entities has exceeded the cost anticipated, report to Congress on the effectiveness and necessity of, and lower-cost alternatives to, the rule; and (2) reopen the public docket to receive additional comments and consider modifications or alternatives that reduce costs and increase benefits to regulated entities. The bill defines "major rule" as any rule that OIRA finds has resulted in or is likely to result in: an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.