Obama plans changes to federal regulatory scheme

Mar 20, 2009

President Barack Obama has signaled he intends to make changes to the way federal agencies develop regulation, including safety and health standards.

The Office of Management and Budget is developing a set of recommendations for an impending executive order on improving "the process and principles governing regulation."

Incoming administrations historically review the federal regulatory process to ensure procedures are in line with presidential priorities, OMB said. In a memorandum to departments and agencies shortly after he was sworn in on Jan. 20, Obama directed the budget office to produce a set of recommendations for new rules on federal regulatory review. 

The changes are aimed at undoing significant changes former President George W. Bush made to agency regulatory procedures in January 2007 through Executive Order 13422 (.pdf file).

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