The federal government sometimes imposes mandates, which are defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) as requirements imposed on state, local, or tribal governments or on entities in the private sector that are not conditions of aid or tied to participation in voluntary federal programs. CBO identifies such mandates in bills that are approved by authorizing committees (and, when requested, for other legislation) and provides an estimate of the costs of the mandates.
Mandates
featured work
Private-Sector Mandates in Federal LegislationJan 2013 - CBO analyzes legislation and enacted laws to identify private-sector mandates, which are enforceable duties imposed on entities in the private sector. About 12 percent of the laws enacted between 2001 and 2011 impose such mandates.
A Review of CBO's Activities in 2011 Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform ActMar 2012 - CBO examines each bill approved by authorizing committees for mandates, which are requirements imposed on state, local, and tribal governments or on entities in the private sector.
Intergovernmental Mandates in Federal LegislationJul 2009 - UMRA took effect in 1996; since then the Congress has enacted few federal mandates, as defined in the law, that
have imposed significant costs on state and local governments.
latest work
Private-Sector Mandates in Federal Legislation
reportJanuary 15, 2013CBO Releases Annual UMRA Report
blog postMarch 30, 2012A Review of CBO's Activities in 2011 Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
reportMarch 30, 2012Input Regarding H.R. 373, the Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2011
reportOctober 31, 2011Preemptions in Federal Legislation in the 111th and Previous Congresses
reportJune 21, 2011Brief Comparison of Cost Estimates for Mandates as Prepared by CBO and by Federal Agencies for Selected Regulatory Rules
reportMay 20, 2011A Review of CBO's Activities in 2010 Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
reportMarch 31, 2011A Review of CBO's Activities in 2009 Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
reportMarch 30, 2010
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