Administrative Process Reform in a Discretionary Age: The Role of Social Consequences

Authors

Christopher H. Schroeder, Duke Law SchoolFollow
Wesley A. Magat

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1984

Abstract

The basic rulemaking proceedures of the Administrative Proceedure Act remained intact for thirty-eight years, but now Congress is seriously considering reform of those generic rules. To evaluate the merits of these reform proposals, we must develop criteria against which to judge them. Although procedural reforms are commonly judged against the goals of fairness, accuracy, and procedural efficiency, Professors Schroeder and Magat argue that these are insufficient criteria to apply to administrative process reforms at a time when agencies possess substantial discretion in the rule-making process. In such a context, proceedures have an impact on society in ways not adequately evaluated by the enabling legislation of the agency. Procedures influence which choices the agency makes and, because these choices alter the regulations and restrictions under which society operates, they affect the social consequences of regulation. This article describes a model of participant behavior necessary to trace the effects of proceedures on the social consequences, and then analyzes two frequently proposed generic reforms to the APA: mandatory regulatory impact analysis and oversight by the Office of Management and Budget.

Citation

Christopher H. Schroeder & Wesley A. Magat, Administrative Process Reform in a Discretionary Age: The Role of Social Consequences, 33 Duke Law Journal 301-344 (1984)