Mandates Information Act: Implications for Congressional Action on Legislation Containing Private Sector Mandates

Publication Date: May 1998

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

This report describes provisions of the pending Mandates Information Act of 1998, focusing on H.R. 3534 as reported from the House Committee on Rules. It summarizes current procedures governing consideration of legislation containing mandates (enforceable duties), especially unfunded intergovernmental mandates. It describes how the Mandates Information Act would apply similar regulations to private sector mandates, including points of order, requirements for cost estimates, application to legislative provisions on appropriation bills, and application under restrictive special rules in the House. The report also describes how the act would codify practices inhibiting dilatory use of these procedures in the House.