Statement of Support for the Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act

The Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act (UMATA) represents a timely and necessary modernization of federal oversight.

Nearly three decades ago, the original and overwhelmingly bipartisan Unfunded Mandates Reform Act brought much-needed discipline to Washington. But since then, agencies learned to work around its requirements, leaving Congress, states, and the public without a clear picture of the true costs of federal directives.

UMATA restores transparency by strengthening and clarifying requirements for agency regulatory impact analyses. The new reporting will more fully account for regulatory costs imposed on state and local governments, small businesses, and consumers.

By requiring more rigorous and consistent analysis of regulatory impacts, this legislation helps policymakers see the trade-offs people face in complying with federal mandates.

We commend Senator Fischer for introducing this companion legislation that advances commonsense reforms aimed at increasing transparency, restoring congressional oversight, and helping safeguard taxpayers and local communities from hidden regulatory burdens.