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HR 1281 112th Congress House

Restoring Economic Certainty Act of 2011

Official title: To ensure economy and efficiency of Federal Government operations by establishing a moratorium on rulemaking actions, and for other purposes.

Introduced: November 17, 2011 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversightEconomic performance and conditions
This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 25, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law.
Apr 1, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus Oversight and Government Spending.
Apr 1, 2011
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2218)
Mar 31, 2011
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 31, 2011
Introduced in House
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 Latest action August 25, 2011

Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Restoring Economic Certainty Act of 2011 - Prohibits federal agencies from taking any rulemaking action during the two-year period beginning 30 days after enactment of this Act. Extends any deadline for any action authorized or required to be taken before the end of such moratorium period for five months or until the end of the period, whichever is later. Specifies exceptions, including for actions that: (1) are determined to be necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, or to establish or enforce statutory rights against discrimination; or (2) pertain to a military or foreign affairs function other than procurement or to aviation safety.

Requires each federal agency to submit an economic impact statement, which shall contain a detailed estimate of the total annual costs and benefits of a regulation or rule, including the anticipated net impact on employment, on each rulemaking action that was proposed but not promulgated before the start of such moratorium. Requires any rulemaking action after the moratorium ends to include such a statement.

Exempts: (1) the General Accounting Office (GAO); (2) the Federal Election Commission (FEC); (3) the governments of the District of Columbia and of U.S. territories and possessions; (4) government-owned contractor-operated facilities; (5) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and (6) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1281: Restoring Economic Certainty Act of 2011. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1281/
MLA
"H.R. 1281: Restoring Economic Certainty Act of 2011." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1281/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1281, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1281/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1281: Restoring Economic Certainty Act of 2011](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1281/)
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