Regulatory Process, Regulatory Reform, and the Quality of Regulatory Impact Analysis

Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis 7:3 (October 2016), pp. 523-59

49 Pages Posted: 24 Aug 2014 Last revised: 20 Nov 2016

See all articles by Jerry Ellig

Jerry Ellig

George Washington University - Regulatory Studies Center (deceased)

Rosemarie Fike

Texas Christian University

Date Written: October 1, 2016

Abstract

Numerous regulatory reform proposals would require federal agencies to conduct more thorough economic analysis of proposed regulations or expand the resources and influence of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), which currently reviews executive branch regulations. Such reforms are intended to improve the quality of economic analysis agencies produce when they issue major regulations. We employ newly-gathered data on variation in current administrative procedures to assess the likely effects of proposed regulatory process reforms on the quality of agencies’ regulatory impact analyses (RIAs). Our results suggest that greater use of advance notices of proposed rulemakings for major regulations, advance consultation with regulated entities, use of advisory committees, and expansion of OIRA’s resources and role would improve the quality of RIAs. They also suggest pre-proposal public meetings with stakeholders are associated with lower quality analysis.

Keywords: regulation, regulatory reform, regulatory process, benefit-cost analysis, cost-benefit, regulatory impact analysis, regulatory review

JEL Classification: D61, D73, D78, H11, H83, K23, L51, P16

Suggested Citation

Ellig, Jerry and Fike, Rosemarie, Regulatory Process, Regulatory Reform, and the Quality of Regulatory Impact Analysis (October 1, 2016). Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis 7:3 (October 2016), pp. 523-59, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2485610 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2485610

Jerry Ellig (Contact Author)

George Washington University - Regulatory Studies Center (deceased) ( email )

805 21st St. NW
Washington, DC 20052
United States
703-375-9410 (Phone)

Rosemarie Fike

Texas Christian University ( email )

Fort Worth, TX 76129
United States

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