HARRISBURG – The Senate this week passed Sen. Dawn Keefer’s (R-31) Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act to establish an enhanced legislative review process for costly new regulations.
The REINS Act is designed to address concerns about unchecked regulatory burdens on businesses, communities and taxpayers across the commonwealth.
Senate Bill 333 mirrors the federal REINS Act and targets major regulations with an annual financial impact of $1 million or more. Under the legislation, any such regulation would be subject to a formal cost verification process through the Independent Fiscal Office, followed by a mandatory vote in the General Assembly. Lawmakers would have 30 calendar days or 10 legislative days, whichever is longer, to approve or reject the regulation. If no vote is taken in that window or if the measure is rejected by either chamber, the regulation would not be enacted.
“This is about restoring legislative oversight and accountability when it comes to regulations that hit the wallets of Pennsylvania’s taxpayers and small businesses,” Keefer said. “We are seeing far too many burdensome regulations come out of executive agencies without proper scrutiny. The REINS Act will ensure that elected representatives—not unelected bureaucrats—have the final say on rules with major financial consequences.”
Keefer emphasized that the measure is about reining in overregulation and curbing unnecessary costs passed on to Pennsylvania residents.
“Pennsylvanians are paying the price for layers of red tape that stifle growth, delay development and drain public resources,” she added. “The REINS Act brings much-needed transparency and discipline to the rulemaking process.”
Senate Bill 333 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
View Keefer’s video remarks about Senate Bill 333 here.
CONTACT: Crystal Patterson, 717-432-1730