On Oct. 23, MSHA began seeking comment on regulations to repeal, replace, or modify. The call for input on regulations is in accordance with presidential Executive Order 13777, “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,” which is intended to “alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens” on Americans.

The executive order was signed in February and directs agency heads to designate an official as the “regulatory reform officer” to oversee the implementation of regulatory reform initiatives and policies at each agency. Unless otherwise designated, regulatory reform officers will chair each agency’s Regulatory Reform Task Force to evaluate existing regulations and make recommendations regarding their repeal, replacement, or modification. The executive order directs each task force to attempt to identify regulations that eliminate jobs or inhibit job creation; are outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective; impose costs that exceed benefits; or create a “serious inconsistency” or otherwise interfere with regulatory reform initiatives and policies.

Input on regulatory reform can be .