Information Quality Assurance Act of 2025
Summary
The Information Quality Assurance Act of 2025 aims to improve the quality and transparency of information used by federal agencies in developing rules and guidance. It mandates updates to existing guidelines under the Information Quality Act, ensuring agencies rely on the best reasonably available scientific, technical, demographic, economic, and statistical information. The Act also requires public disclosure of critical factual material used in rulemaking and guidance development.
This bill seeks to enhance the objectivity, utility, and integrity of information disseminated to the public. It emphasizes the importance of fit-for-purpose information and evidence in agency decision-making.
Ultimately, the Act intends to increase public trust and accountability in federal agency actions by promoting transparency and data-driven decision-making.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to increased scrutiny of the data and evidence used by federal agencies. Agencies will need to update their guidelines and processes to comply with the new requirements.
This could result in more robust and defensible regulations and guidance. It may also lead to increased public engagement and oversight of agency actions.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in federal agency rulemaking and guidance.
- Improved quality and reliability of information used by agencies.
- Greater public trust in government decisions.
- Enhanced accountability of federal agencies.
- More informed public participation in the regulatory process.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden on federal agencies.
- Potential delays in rulemaking and guidance development.
- Possible legal challenges related to information quality.
- Costs associated with updating guidelines and processes.
- Risk of agencies selectively disclosing information.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the principles of transparency and accountability, which are implicit in the Constitution's structure. While not explicitly mentioned, the emphasis on informed decision-making can be seen as supporting the general welfare clause (Article I, Section 8). The Act's provisions for public disclosure also resonate with the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and the press, as they promote access to information about government actions.
However, the Act must be implemented in a way that respects other constitutional rights, such as privacy and intellectual property. The balance between transparency and these other rights will be crucial in determining the Act's overall constitutional soundness.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).