Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act of 2026

Progress

Timeline

• Mar 19Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Summary

**What it does:** This bill would expand the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 to require more detailed analysis of how new federal regulations affect state and local governments and the private sector. **Who it affects:** - Federal agencies that create regulations - State and local governments that must comply with federal rules - Private businesses subject to federal regulations - Ultimately, taxpayers and consumers who bear the costs **What would change:** Before issuing certain regulations, federal agencies would need to conduct more thorough "regulatory impact analyses" - essentially detailed studies examining the costs, benefits, and burdens these rules would place on others. This could slow down the regulatory process but potentially reduce unfunded mandates (federal requirements without federal funding to implement them). **Current status:** The bill is in committee, meaning it's being reviewed but hasn't been voted on by the full Senate yet.

How This Affects You