NRCA issues a statement about the Regulatory Accountability Act

A top priority for NRCA, the legislation will reduce the burden of excessive regulations on the industry.

NRCA commends Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) for introducing the Regulatory Accountability Act. This bipartisan legislation is one of NRCA's top priorities because it will reduce the burden of excessive regulations on the roofing industry by reforming the outdated federal regulatory system.

Roofing contractors have faced an unprecedented combination of regulations issued by the federal government. For years, federal agencies have consistently refused to address the many concerns of NRCA members when issuing new regulations. This legislation will give NRCA and its members the opportunity to work more closely with agencies as they formulate new rules. The Regulatory Accountability Act will reform the regulatory development process under the Administrative Procedures Act, which has not been updated since it was originally enacted more than 70 years ago. Specifically, this legislation will reform and enhance the regulatory process by:

• Increasing stakeholder participation in shaping regulations, including consideration of economic impacts, before they are proposed
• Improving agency cost/benefit analysis to minimize adverse economic impacts of regulations
• Holding agencies accountable to the public and increase transparency in the regulatory process
• Reining in use of "guidance documents" used by agencies to circumvent the regulatory process

Similar legislation has passed the House of Representatives. NRCA looks forward to working with the bill's sponsors to secure the votes necessary to pass the Senate and send the bill to President Trump. NRCA urges all members to contact their senators and ask them to co-sponsor this legislation using NRCA's Grassroots Advocacy Network.