H.R. 8617

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8617 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8617

To require an agency to prepare a household cost impact analysis before 
publishing a proposed and final rule, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 30, 2026

Ms. Mace (for herself and Mr. Massie) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require an agency to prepare a household cost impact analysis before 
publishing a proposed and final rule, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``American Family Cost-of-Living 
Relief Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. EVALUATION OF IMPACTS OF PROPOSED RULES ON HOUSEHOLD COSTS.

(a) Rule Making Impact on Household Costs.--Chapter 5 of title 5, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 553 the 
following:

``SEC. 553A. IMPACT OF RULE MAKING ON HOUSEHOLD COSTS.

``(a) Whenever an agency is required by section 553 of this title, 
or any other law, to publish general notice of proposed rule making for 
any proposed rule, the agency shall--
``(1) prepare an initial household cost impact analysis for 
such rule that contains--
``(A) a statement about whether a proposed rule 
would substantially increase household costs;
``(B) a description of how such increase would 
affect a household based on the income level of such 
household;
``(C) a list of any categories of goods or services 
that may be affected by such increase; and
``(D) any recommendations for an alternative rule 
that would not substantially increase household costs; 
and
``(2) make such analysis available for public comment by 
publishing such analysis in the Federal Register at the time of 
the publication of such general notice.
``(b) After notice and receipt of public comments, or a hearing 
pursuant to section 553, an agency shall prepare a final household cost 
impact analysis that contains--
``(1) the information required under subsection (a)(1);
``(2) a statement of any significant issues raised by 
public comments or a hearing in response to the initial 
household cost impact analysis prepared under subsection (a); 
and
``(3) a description of how any such public comments or 
hearing impacted the analysis of whether the proposed rule 
would substantially increase household costs.
``(c) An agency may not promulgate a final rule, if the agency 
determines, after preparing a final household cost analysis required 
under subsection (b), that such rule would substantially increase 
household costs unless--
``(1) the rule is required by law; or
``(2) such agency--
``(A) determines the rule is necessary to address--
``(i) an imminent threat to national 
security;
``(ii) a major disaster declared by the 
President under section 401 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170); or
``(iii) an emergency declared by the 
President under section 502 of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 5191); and
``(B) submits a certification to the House of 
Representatives and the Senate of such imminent threat.
``(d) Any final household cost impact analysis prepared pursuant to 
subsection (b) shall be published in the Federal Register when an 
agency promulgates a final rule under section 553.
``(e) Any rules finalized pursuant to subsection (c)(2) may remain 
in effect for not more than 1 year, unless such rule is subsequently 
authorized by law.
``(f) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
section, and annually thereafter, the Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget shall review and publish a report in the Federal 
Register on any major rules in effect including--
``(1) identifying any such major rules that have 
substantially increased household costs;
``(2) making any recommendations to amend or repeal such 
major rules for the purpose of addressing such increase to 
household costs; and
``(3) making any recommendations for legislative action for 
the purpose of addressing such increase to household costs.
``(g) In this section:
``(1) The term `agency' has the meaning given such term in 
section 551.
``(2) The term `household cost' means the average annual 
out-of-pocket expenditures incurred by a household for basic 
goods and services necessary for living, including direct and 
indirect costs related to--
``(A) housing, including rent, mortgage payments, 
homeowner's insurance, renter's insurance, maintenance, 
and homebuilding;
``(B) utilities, including electric, natural gas, 
water, sewer, and trash collection;
``(C) transportation, including vehicle purchase or 
lease, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and public 
transportation;
``(D) food, including raw, cooked, processed, or 
prepared food, infant formula, or any substance to 
provide nutrients through human consumption;
``(E) health care, including insurance premiums, 
deductibles, copayments, prescription drugs, medical 
devices, over-the-counter medicine, and medical 
services;
``(F) child care, elder care, and dependent care 
required to maintain employment or household 
activities;
``(G) expenses related to education and workforce, 
including tuition, fees, supplies, and required 
training or credentialing;
``(H) household products, including furniture, 
appliances, cleaning supplies, paper goods, hygiene 
products, kitchen items, and tools from home upkeep;
``(I) taxes, fees, and mandatory charges imposed 
directly or indirectly on households under Federal law; 
and
``(J) any other essential goods or services that 
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
determines materially affects the cost of living for 
households.
``(3) The term `household' means any individual or group of 
individuals who are living together as one economic unit.
``(4) The term `major rule' has the meaning given such term 
in section 804.
``(5) The term `rule' has the meaning given such term in 
section 551.
``(6) The term `substantially increase' with respect to 
household costs, means an increase of $50 or more a year.

``SEC. 553B. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

``(a) For any rule subject to section 553a, any household that is 
adversely affected or aggrieved by final agency action is entitled to 
judicial review of agency compliance with the requirements of such 
section in accordance with chapter 7.
``(b) Each court having jurisdiction to review such rule for 
compliance with section 553, or under any other provision of law, shall 
have jurisdiction to review any claims of noncompliance with section 
553a in accordance with chapter 7.
``(c) The term `household' has the meaning given such term in 
section 553a.''.
(b) Guidance.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall 
issue guidance to the head of each agency on complying with the 
amendments made by this Act.
(c) Application.--This Act, and the amendments made by this Act, 
shall apply to rules proposed on or after the date of enactment of this 
Act.
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