Needed Changes to the Federal Reports Act

The Federal Reports Act is unclear on whether or not recordkeeping requirements are subject to central clearance review. Such requirements, although not requiring the submission of data to a federal agency, often impose heavy burdens on the public by requiring the development and maintenance of complex recordkeeping systems. Some key objectives of the Federal Reports Act are to minimize the burden imposed by federal reporting requirements; guarantee appropriate standards of confidentiality; eliminate unnecessary duplication of information collected by the federal government; and reduce the costs of federal paperwork. Changes are needed to clarify and strengthen the Federal Reports Act as well as to consolidate the fragmented administration of the act. Congress' concern for preserving the independence of the regulatory agencies' information gathering program can be readily dealt with by providing for override of a denial by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). OMB should be given specific authority to plan information collection activities, provide technical assistance to agencies, and promote the use of standards in collecting and presenting data.