Advancing the Regulation Rewind

As I’ve traveled the Third District during the August work period, I have heard from many Nebraskans about the regulatory burdens affecting their lives and livelihoods. In order to identify and address these government-imposed burdens, I launched my Regulation Rewind initiative earlier this year.

For example, I heard from many farmers and ranchers concerned about a proposal from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) attempting to regulate small farms, despite Congress explicitly prohibiting this by law. Such regulation would have a significant impact on these farms and ranches with less than 10 employees.

After hearing these concerns from Nebraskans, I helped organize a coalition of 83 Members of Congress from both parties to write the Department of Labor opposing the regulation of small farms and challenging the department’s authority. I am happy to report OSHA has since rescinded this proposal.

I’ve also been working to ease regulatory burdens on landowners in the Northport Irrigation District. These landowners have been restricted by a Bureau of Reclamation contract signed more than 60 years ago which requires burdensome reporting requirements and acreage limitations.

I introduced legislation which would allow these landowners to repay their loans individually, which would provide relief to landowners and generate otherwise uncollected revenue for the federal government. This legislation has now passed the House and is awaiting action in the U.S. Senate.

Nebraskans are rightfully concerned about two unnecessary Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposals which would affect our state. I have joined in sending bipartisan letters to the Administration opposing both proposals.

The first is yet another attempt to regulate carbon emissions from power plants, even though Congress has never approved legislation authorizing the EPA to do so. The costs of retrofitting power plants and the increased costs of producing electricity will be disastrous for manufacturing, agriculture, and especially for low- and middle-income Americans who can least afford huge increases in their electric bills.

The EPA is also once again attempting to strike the word “navigable” from the Clean Water Act. Congress included the word “navigable” in the Act more than 80 times to preserve state and local water rights. Ag groups, resource districts, water managers, and Nebraskans from many different backgrounds have reached out in opposition to this rule.

There is still time to let the EPA know your thoughts before they make a final decision on both of these proposed regulations which would have major impacts on Nebraska’s economy. To leave your comments on these rules, please visit: https://www.regulations.gov.

I also hope you will continue to let me know about the regulations which affect you, or how my office can help you cut through government red tape. Please visit my website at: https://AdrianSmith.house.gov/regulationrewind to learn more about my Regulation Rewind program and how I am acting on the concerns of Nebraskans to address the government imposed burdens affecting our lives and our economy.