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Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Bond Amendment Targets Enviro Regs; Tell Your Senators to Vote "No"

Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) has introduced an amendment to the Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act (H.R. 2419) which would add another analytical burden to the regulatory process. Bond's amendment would require federal agencies to perform additional impact analyses on any rules that may affect a "substantial number of agricultural entities." Because of the way the amendment is written, this designation could apply to almost any business or even entire industries.

In addition to the analytical requirements, the amendment would force EPA and the Department of the Interior (two big environmental regulatory agencies) to convene special panels of agricultural industry representatives who would be allowed to review and edit rules before they are released to the public.

For more information, see a factsheet OMB Watch has sent to all Senate members. Ultimately, the amendment could further slow the rulemaking process and give industry representatives yet another opportunity to alter public policy.

The Senate may consider Bond's amendment as early as this afternoon. Call your senators and tell them to oppose Bond amendment 3771. Senate office phone numbers: senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Update on the Bond Amendment