This might be unrealistic, given the enduring "distrust between legislative and executive branches" noted in the text of this item, but- What if agencies published an occasional Federal register notice describing changes it is seeking to its authorizing legislation? Something like the semi-annual Regulatory Agenda, but describing amendments to laws the agency has had introduced or is seeking to introduce into Congress? My own agency has been trying to get a "consolidation" bill passed for the last several Congresses. It doesn't make many dramatic changes; it mostly rewrites some bad definitions and clarifies some vague or unrealistic standards that were established over time by various laws. I think it hasn't passed mostly because it's not very VISIBLE to our customers, or even to Congress. (And due to the incredible Bureaucratic Waltz it takes to reintroduce the bill in each new Congress, but that's another story.) Is it politically naive to suggest that agencies let some sunshine fall on the traditionally dark process by which they seek changes to statutes? Would doing so alienate Congress and the Administration to a point that outweighs the benefits of giving the effort to change the laws more visibility? =>ORDER-COMMENTS=> =>SUBSCRIBE=>
You can attach your comments to this document. If you enter your email address in the empty box below and click on the submit button, you will receive via email a form that allows you to link your views to the NPR hypertext.
Subscribe Unsubscribe No Action