I 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4646 
To establish an independent advisory committee to review certain regulations, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 9, 2014 
Mr. MURPHY of Florida (for himself, Mr. MULVANEY, Mr. SCHRADER, Mr. 
BARR, Mr. RUIZ, Mr. COFFMAN, Mr. BARROW
of Georgia, Mr. 
FITZPATRICK, Mr. DELANEY, Mr. JOYCE, Mr. KILMER, Mrs. BLACK, Mr. 
MATHESON, Mr. LANCE, Mr. KIND, Mr. MEADOWS, Mr. COSTA, Mr. 
RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. ENYART, and Mr. RIBBLE) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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 com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish an independent advisory committee to review 
certain regulations, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Regulatory Improve-
ment Act of 2014’’. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act— 
(1) the term ‘‘Commission’’ means the Regu-
latory Improvement Commission established under 
section 3; 
(2) the term ‘‘commission bill’’ means a bill 
consisting of the proposed legislative language of the 
Commission recommended under section 4(f)(2)(C) 
and introduced under section 4(g)(1); and 
(3) the term ‘‘covered regulation’’ means a reg-
ulation that— 
(A) has been finalized not later than 10 
years before the date on which the Commission 
is established; and 
(B) has not been amended after being fi-
nalized. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
legislative branch a commission to be known as the ‘‘Regu-
latory Improvement Commission’’. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be 
composed of 9 members, of whom— 
(A) 1 member shall be appointed by the 
President, and shall serve as the Chairperson of 
the Commission; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(B) 2 members shall be appointed by the 
majority leader of the Senate; 
(C) 2 members shall be appointed by the 
minority leader of the Senate; 
(D) 2 members shall be appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives; and 
(E) 2 members shall be appointed by the 
minority leader of the House of Representa-
tives. 
(2) DATE.—The appointment of the members 
of the Commission shall be made not later than 45 
days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members appointed to 
the Commission shall be prominent citizens of the 
United States with national recognition and a sig-
nificant depth of experience and responsibilities in 
matters relating to government service, regulatory 
policy, economics, Federal agency management, pub-
lic administration, and law. 
(4) LIMITATION.—Not more than 5 members 
appointed to the Commission may be from the same 
political party. 
(5) PROHIBITION.—The members of the Com-
mission may not be employees of the Federal Gov-
ernment. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(c) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.—Mem-
bers shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. Any 
vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but 
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appoint-
ment. 
(d) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date on which all members of the Commission have 
been appointed, the Commission shall hold its first meet-
ing. 
(e) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the 
call of the Chairman. 
(f) OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.—Each meeting of the 
Commission shall be open to the public, unless a member 
objects. 
(g) QUORUM.—Five members of the Commission 
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members 
may hold hearings. 
(h) NONAPPLICABILITY OF THE FEDERAL ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE ACT.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission. 
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Commission is to 
evaluate and provide recommendations for modification, 
consolidation, or repeal of covered regulations with the 
aim of reducing compliance costs, encouraging growth and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
innovation, and improving competitiveness, all while pro-
tecting public health and safety, by— 
(1) soliciting and reviewing comments from the 
public; 
(2) developing a sector or area-specific body of 
covered regulations to research and review; and 
(3) developing a package of covered regulations 
to modify, consolidate, or repeal to be submitted to 
Congress for an up-or-down vote. 
(b) PUBLIC COMMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date of the initial meeting of the Commission, 
the Commission shall initiate a process to solicit and 
collect written recommendations from the general 
public, interested parties, Federal agencies, and 
other relevant entities regarding which covered regu-
lations should be examined. 
(2) SUBMISSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS.—The 
Commission shall ensure that the process initiated 
under paragraph (1) allows for recommendations to 
be submitted to the Commission through the Web 
site of the Commission or by mail. 
(3) LENGTH OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.— 
The period for the submission of recommendations 
under this subsection shall end 60 days after the 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
date on which the process is initiated under para-
graph (1). 
(4) PUBLICATION
IN
THE
FEDERAL
REG-
ISTER.—At the end of the period for the submission 
of recommendations under this subsection, all sub-
mitted recommendations shall be published in the 
Federal Register. 
(c) COMMISSION REVIEW OF PUBLIC COMMENTS.— 
Not later than 30 days after the date on which the period 
for the submission of recommendations ends under sub-
section (b), the Commission shall convene to review sub-
mitted recommendations and to identify a single sector or 
area of covered regulations to modify, consolidate, or 
eliminate. 
(d) EXAMINATION OF REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 45 days after 
the date on which the Commission convenes under 
paragraph (1), the Commission shall decide which 
sector area of covered regulations to examine. 
(2) PROCESS
FOR
EXAMINATION.—In exam-
ining covered regulations under this section, the 
Commission shall determine the effectiveness of indi-
vidual covered regulations, by using multiple re-
sources, including quantitative metrics, testimony 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
from industry and agency experts, and research 
from the staff of the Commission. 
(3) DEADLINE.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date on which the Commission determines which 
sector or area of covered regulations to examine 
under paragraph (1), the Commission shall complete 
a substantial examination of such covered regula-
tions. 
(e) INITIAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date on which the Commission determines 
which sector or area of covered regulations to exam-
ine under subsection (d)(1), the Commission shall 
publish, and make available to the public for com-
ment, a report, which shall include— 
(A) the findings and conclusions of the 
Commission for the improvement of covered 
regulations examined by the Commission; and 
(B) a list of recommendations for changes 
to the covered regulations examined by the 
Commission, which may include recommenda-
tions for modification, consolidation, or repeal 
of such covered regulations. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(2) REQUIREMENT.—The report submitted 
under paragraph (1) shall be approved by not fewer 
than 5 members of the Commission. 
(3) AVAILABILITY OF REPORT.—The Commis-
sion shall make the report required under paragraph 
(1) available through the Web site of the Commis-
sion and in printed form. 
(4) PUBLIC
COMMENT
PERIOD.—During the 
45-day period beginning on the date on which the 
report required under paragraph (1) is published, 
the Commission shall— 
(A) solicit comments from the public on 
such report, using the same process established 
under subsection (b); and 
(B) publish any comments received under 
subparagraph (A) in the Federal Register. 
(f) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 45 days after 
the date on which the 45-day period described in 
subsection (e)(4) ends, the Commission shall— 
(A) review any comments received under 
subsection (e)(4); 
(B) incorporate any relevant comments re-
ceived under subsection (e)(4) into the report 
required under subsection (e)(1); and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(C) submit the revised report to Congress. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The revised report required to 
be submitted to Congress under paragraph (1) shall 
include— 
(A) the findings and conclusions of the 
Commission for the improvement of covered 
regulations examined by the Commission; 
(B) a list of recommendations for changes 
to the covered regulations examined by the 
Commission, which may include recommenda-
tions for modification, consolidation, or repeal 
of such covered regulations; and 
(C) recommended legislative language to 
implement the recommendations in subpara-
graph (B). 
(g) CONGRESSIONAL CONSIDERATION OF COMMIS-
SION REPORT.— 
(1) INTRODUCTION.—If approved by 5 members 
of the Commission, as required under subsection 
(e)(2), the commission bill shall be introduced in the 
Senate (by request) on the next day on which the 
Senate is in session by the majority leader of the 
Senate or by a Member of the Senate designated by 
the majority leader of the Senate and shall be intro-
duced in the House of Representatives (by request) 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
on the next legislative day by the majority leader of 
the House or by a Member of the House designated 
by the majority leader of the House. 
(2) CONSIDERATION IN THE HOUSE OF REP-
RESENTATIVES.— 
(A) REFERRAL
AND
REPORTING.—Any 
committee of the House of Representatives to 
which the commission bill is referred shall re-
port it to the House without amendment not 
later than 30 days after the date on which the 
commission bill is introduced under paragraph 
(1). If a committee fails to report the commis-
sion bill within that period, it shall be in order 
to move that the House discharge the com-
mittee from further consideration of the com-
mission bill. Such a motion shall not be in order 
after the last committee authorized to consider 
the commission bill reports it to the House or 
after the House has disposed of a motion to 
discharge the commission bill. The previous 
question shall be considered as ordered on the 
motion to its adoption without intervening mo-
tion except 3 hours of debate equally divided 
and controlled by the proponent and an oppo-
nent. If such a motion is adopted, the House 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
shall proceed immediately to consider the com-
mission bill in accordance with subparagraphs 
(B) and (C). A motion to reconsider the vote by 
which the motion is disposed of shall not be in 
order. 
(B) PROCEEDING
TO
CONSIDERATION.— 
After the last committee authorized to consider 
the commission bill reports it to the House or 
has been discharged (other than by motion) 
from its consideration, it shall be in order to 
move to proceed to consider the commission bill 
in the House. Such a motion shall not be in 
order after the House has disposed of a motion 
to proceed with respect to the commission bill. 
The previous question shall be considered as or-
dered on the motion to its adoption without in-
tervening motion. A motion to reconsider the 
vote by which the motion is disposed of shall 
not be in order. 
(C) CONSIDERATION.—The commission bill 
shall be considered as read. All points of order 
against the commission bill and against its con-
sideration are waived. The previous question 
shall be considered as ordered on the commis-
sion bill to its passage without intervening mo-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
and the bill shall be placed on the appropriate 
calendar. 
(B) 
MOTION
TO
PROCEED.—Notwith-
standing Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate, it is in order, not later than 2 days 
of session after the date on which a commission 
bill is reported or discharged from all commit-
tees to which it was referred, for the majority 
leader of the Senate or the majority leader’s 
designee to move to proceed to the consider-
ation of the commission bill. It shall also be in 
order for any Member of the Senate to move to 
proceed to the consideration of the commission 
bill at any time after the conclusion of such 2- 
day period. A motion to proceed is in order 
even though a previous motion to the same ef-
fect has been disagreed to. All points of order 
against the motion to proceed to the commis-
sion bill are waived. The motion to proceed is 
not debatable. The motion is not subject to a 
motion to postpone. A motion to reconsider the 
vote by which the motion is agreed to or dis-
agreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to 
proceed to the consideration of the commission 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
bill is agreed to, the commission bill shall re-
main the unfinished business until disposed of. 
(C) CONSIDERATION.—All points of order 
against the commission bill and against consid-
eration of the commission bill are waived. Con-
sideration of the commission bill and of all de-
batable motions and appeals in connection 
therewith shall not exceed a total of 10 hours 
which shall be divided equally between the ma-
jority and minority leaders or their designees. A 
motion further to limit debate on the commis-
sion bill is in order, shall require an affirmative 
vote of a majority of the Members duly chosen 
and sworn, and is not debatable. Any debatable 
motion or appeal is debatable for not to exceed 
1 hour, to be divided equally between those fa-
voring and those opposing the motion or appeal. 
All time used for consideration of the commis-
sion bill, including time used for quorum calls 
and voting, shall be counted against the total 
10 hours of consideration. 
(D) NO AMENDMENTS.—An amendment to 
the commission bill, or a motion to postpone, or 
a motion to proceed to the consideration of 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
other business, or a motion to recommit the 
commission bill, is not in order. 
(E) VOTE ON PASSAGE.—If the Senate has 
voted to proceed to the commission bill, the vote 
on passage of the commission bill shall occur 
immediately following the conclusion of the de-
bate on a commission bill, and a single quorum 
call at the conclusion of the debate if requested. 
The vote on passage of the commission bill shall 
occur not later than 30 days after the date on 
which the commission bill is discharged from all 
committees to which the commission bill was re-
ferred. 
(F) RULINGS OF THE CHAIR ON PROCE-
DURE.—Appeals from the decisions of the Chair 
relating to the application of the rules of the 
Senate, as the case may be, to the procedure re-
lating to a commission bill shall be decided 
without debate. 
(4) AMENDMENT.—The commission bill shall 
not be subject to amendment in either the House of 
Representatives or the Senate. 
(5) CONSIDERATION BY THE OTHER HOUSE.— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(A) IN GENERAL.—If, before passing the 
commission bill, one House receives from the 
other a commission bill— 
(i) the commission bill of the other 
House shall not be referred to a com-
mittee; and 
(ii) the procedure in the receiving 
House shall be the same as if no commis-
sion bill had been received from the other 
House until the vote on passage, when the 
commission bill received from the other 
House shall supplant the commission bill 
of the receiving House. 
(B) REVENUE MEASURE.—This subsection 
shall not apply to the House of Representatives 
if the commission bill received from the Senate 
is a revenue measure. 
(6) RULES
TO
COORDINATE
ACTION
WITH 
OTHER HOUSE.— 
(A) TREATMENT OF COMMISSION BILL OF 
OTHER HOUSE.—If the Senate fails to introduce 
or consider a commission bill under this section, 
the commission bill of the House shall be enti-
tled to expedited floor procedures under this 
section. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(B) TREATMENT
OF
COMPANION
MEAS-
URES IN THE SENATE.—If following passage of 
the commission bill in the Senate, the Senate 
then receives the commission bill from the 
House of Representatives, the House-passed 
commission bill shall not be debatable. The vote 
on passage of the commission bill in the Senate 
shall be considered to be the vote on passage of 
the commission bill received from the House of 
Representatives. 
(C) VETOES.—If the President vetoes the 
commission bill, debate on a veto message in 
the Senate under this section shall be 1 hour 
equally divided between the majority and minor-
ity leaders or their designees. 
(h) NOTICE TO REGULATORY AGENCIES.— 
(1) ENACTMENT OF COMMISSION BILL.—If the 
commission bill is enacted into law, the President 
shall— 
(A) not later than 7 days after the date on 
which the commission bill is enacted into law— 
(i) provide notice to the affected regu-
latory agencies; and 
(ii) publish notice of enactment in the 
Federal register and online; and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(B) require affected regulatory agencies to 
implement the commission bill within 180 days 
after the date on which the commission bill is 
enacted into law. 
(2) FAILURE TO ENACT COMMISSION BILL.—If 
the commission bill is not enacted into law, the 
President shall provide notice of such failure to 
enact the commission bill in the Federal Register. 
(i) ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS.—If the commis-
sion bill is introduced less than 60 session days or 60 leg-
islative days before the date on which Congress adjourns 
sine die— 
(1) the commission bill shall be introduced in 
both Houses on the date on which the succeeding 
Congress first convenes its next session; and 
(2) subsection (g) shall apply to the commission 
bill during the succeeding Congress. 
SEC. 5. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may hold such 
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such 
testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission 
considers advisable to carry out this Act. 
(b) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission is author-
ized to secure directly from any executive depart-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
ment, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, 
independent establishment, or instrumentality of the 
Government, information, suggestions, estimates, 
and statistics for the purpose of this Act. Each de-
partment, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, 
independent establishment, or instrumentality shall, 
to the extent authorized by law, furnish such infor-
mation, suggestions, estimates, and statistics di-
rectly to the Commission, upon request made by the 
chairman, the chairman of any subcommittee cre-
ated by the Commission, or any member designated 
by a majority of the Commission. 
(2) RECEIPT, HANDLING, STORAGE, AND DIS-
SEMINATION.—Information shall only be received, 
handled, stored, and disseminated by members of 
the Commission and its staff consistent with all ap-
plicable statutes, regulations, and Executive orders. 
(c) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use 
the United States mails in the same manner and under 
the same conditions as other departments and agencies of 
the Federal Government. 
(d) GIFTS.—The Commission may accept, use, and 
dispose of gifts or donations of services or property. 
(e) SPACE
FOR USE
OF COMMISSION.—Not later 
than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
05:23 May 17, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4646.IH
H4646
smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS