In a world burdened by regulatory overreach, Idaho has emerged as a beacon of innovation, demonstrating how governance can empower businesses and individuals through common-sense deregulation. Dr. Alex Adams, Idaho's Director of the Department of Health and Welfare, brings a wealth of experience to the fight for regulatory reform. As a guest on an upcoming podcast hosted by the CPAC Foundation’s Center for Regulatory Freedom Director Andrew Langer, Adams shared Idaho’s groundbreaking successes with zero-based regulation, the REINS Act, and regulatory sunsetting. These efforts not only showcase Idaho’s achievements but also provide a blueprint for future reforms under the Trump Administration and its newly envisioned Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The REINS Act in Action: Idaho’s Model for Federal Reform
Idaho has been quietly pioneering its own version of the REINS Act for decades. While the federal proposal for the REINS Act would require Congress to approve major regulations before they take effect, Idaho already mandates legislative review for all regulations issued by its 60 rulemaking agencies. As Adams explained, “Every single regulation promulgated by an agency goes back to the legislature for review, ensuring conformity with legislative intent.”
This process acts as a powerful check on executive branch overreach. Even in a state with a supermajority Republican government, approximately 5% of proposed regulations are rejected annually. The system isn’t a bureaucratic bottleneck, as critics might argue, but rather a rigorous safeguard against unnecessary or overreaching rules.
For example, Idaho’s legislature integrates regulation review into its part-time session, which typically runs from January to March. Committees handle the review process in about 32 days, balancing this with their other responsibilities. By prioritizing regulation review, Idaho proves that even limited legislatures can effectively monitor regulatory activity.
As Adams noted, Idaho’s approach challenges critics who fear that the REINS Act would paralyze federal agencies. “What Idaho’s model shows is that fears about legislative review are entirely overblown,” he explained. “By the time a regulation is reviewed, it has been carefully developed, with input from multiple stakeholders. The system deters agencies from proposing overreaching rules in the first place.”
Zero-Based Regulation: Flipping the Script on Bureaucracy
Idaho’s zero-based regulation policy, a centerpiece of its deregulatory efforts, could serve as a transformative model for federal governance. Under this system, all regulations are subject to periodic reassessment. If an agency cannot justify the necessity of a rule, it sunsets automatically.
The results have been staggering. Since 2019, Idaho has eliminated 3,300 pages of regulations—38% of its total—without compromising public safety or economic stability. As Adams put it, “We’ve changed the default. Instead of assuming regulations are permanent, they now disappear unless actively justified.”
This approach not only streamlines governance but also eliminates redundancies. Adams highlighted examples such as regulations for “female kickboxing uniforms” and rules for a lottery game show that never aired. These “junk drawer” rules reflect the tendency of agencies to cling to outdated or irrelevant policies. Zero-based regulation forces agencies to clean house, creating a leaner, more efficient system.
Moreover, Adams explained how zero-based regulation creates a more predictable regulatory environment for businesses. “By moving regulations into statutes where appropriate, we reduce the whiplash effect across administrations,” he said. This shift ensures stability, allowing businesses to plan for the long term without fear of sudden regulatory changes.
Regulations Rise Like Rockets, But Fall Like Feathers
Idaho’s success with regulatory sunsetting offers a powerful case study for the Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Sunsetting flips the regulatory paradigm, requiring agencies to prove a rule’s necessity rather than forcing stakeholders to lobby for its repeal.
During the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) implemented a similar policy under Chief of Staff Brian Harrison. However, this initiative was reversed by the Biden Administration. Adams argued that reviving and expanding regulatory sunsetting at the federal level could catalyze a new era of governance.
“Regulations rise like rockets but fall like feathers,” Adams remarked. “Sunsetting is the only way to scale back the regulatory rainforest in a meaningful timeframe.” He emphasized that the DOGE’s proposed goal of a mass regulatory sunset by July 4, 2026, is achievable if the right structures are put in place.
Time as a Resource: The Hidden Cost of Regulation
Adams also addressed the often-overlooked cost of regulatory compliance: time. For small business owners, time is a finite resource, and excessive regulations can stifle productivity. By reducing unnecessary red tape, Idaho has not only saved money but also empowered businesses to focus on growth and innovation.
One illustrative example is Idaho’s Board of Pharmacy, which Adams previously led. When Adams took over, the board’s regulations spanned 100 pages, dictating granular details such as the type of door pharmacies must use. By cutting the rulebook to just 26 pages, Adams made it easier for businesses to comply while still ensuring public safety.
The benefits of deregulation extended beyond reduced paperwork. Large pharmaceutical distribution companies have established operations in Idaho, citing the state’s regulatory environment as a key factor. Rural communities also benefited, with telepharmacy models expanding access to essential medications.
Lessons for the Federal Government
Adams’ experience offers invaluable lessons for federal policymakers. First, the combination of zero-based regulation and sunsetting provides a systematic approach to reducing the regulatory burden. Second, involving legislatures in the review process ensures democratic accountability and prevents executive overreach. Finally, framing deregulation as a time-saving measure can help build public support for reform.
The Trump Administration’s DOGE initiative could adopt these principles to deliver tangible results. By implementing a nationwide regulatory sunset and prioritizing zero-based regulation, DOGE could dramatically reduce the federal regulatory code.
Adams also highlighted the importance of using state successes as proof points for federal initiatives. “The sky didn’t fall in Idaho when we cut regulations by 38%,” he said. “In fact, businesses thrived, public safety improved, and stakeholder engagement increased.”
A Vision for Regulatory Freedom
Idaho’s bold experiments with regulatory reform demonstrate what’s possible when governance prioritizes accountability, efficiency, and common sense. Under Alex Adams’ leadership, the state has set a high bar for innovation in regulatory policy.
As the Trump Administration prepares to launch DOGE, Idaho’s successes provide a roadmap for transformative federal reform. By embracing zero-based regulation, regulatory sunsetting, and legislative review, DOGE can deliver on its promise of restoring efficiency and freedom to American governance.
In the words of Adams, “States are laboratories of democracy, and Idaho has proven that regulatory reform works. Now it’s time for the federal government to follow suit.”
As the Center for Regulatory Freedom continues its mission, it’s clear that the lessons from Idaho will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of American policy. Whether through the REINS Act or sweeping deregulatory efforts, the goal remains the same: empowering individuals and businesses to thrive in a freer, fairer system.
