RALEIGH — North Carolina could take another major step toward “reining” in regulatory overreach by adopting a new tool targeting rules with the largest economic impact.

That’s the idea behind the REINS Act, an idea John Locke Foundation experts explained Tuesday for a state legislative oversight group.

REINS, or “regulations from the executive in need of scrutiny,” is a concept that has cleared the U.S. House of Representatives three times but has stalled in the Senate.

At either the federal or state level, REINS would require lawmakers to vote on any rule that would have a major economic impact. At this time, unelected bureaucrats can enact many rules without regard to the potential economic costs.

Watch the video to hear testimony from JLF Vice President for Outreach Becki Gray and Director of Regulatory Studies Jon Sanders about the potential benefits of a state-level REINS Act.