The Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation (L&R) manages the Department’s legislative review process; reviews and clears rulemaking proposals prepared within the Department; and serves as a liaison with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for legislative and regulatory matters. The office is comprised of two divisions: the Legislative Division and the Regulatory Division.
The Legislative Division provides legal advice and technical assistance on the full range of legislative matters, including testimony before Congress; post-hearing questions for the record; draft DOC-proposed legislation; technical drafting assistance to Congressional offices; comments to OMB and views letters to Congress on pending legislation; and comments on other agencies’ draft legislative materials. The Division assists in the development of Department positions on legislative matters and coordinates clearance of legislative materials through both the Department and the OMB interagency review process. The Division also represents the Department's views in interagency deliberations on legislative proposals and expressions of legislative views advanced by other agencies.
The Regulatory Division provides legal advice on administrative law requirements and the rulemaking process. The Division reviews regulations from throughout the Department and its bureaus to ensure compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act and other statutory and administrative requirements, including those set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Paperwork Reduction Act, and various executive orders. It also serves as the Department's liaison with OMB and other federal agencies during interagency review and clearance of regulations issued by the Department and by other federal agencies. In addition, the Division coordinates the Department’s efforts to develop and implement regulatory policy and represents the Department in OMB and interagency discussions on regulatory policy and process matters.
Leadership
Beth Grossman, Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation
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Contact
Phone: 202-482-3151