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Press release States Enact 337 Laws to Reshape Administrative Agency Power
Contact: Carley Allensworth, Media Relations Manager
Tel: (618) 553-1830
E-mail: carley.allensworth@ballotpedia.org
42 states enacted laws affecting agency authority; five states adopted REINS-style oversight
Middleton, Wis. - August 29, 2025: Ballotpedia today released its latest analysis of state and federal legislation related to the administrative state, which refers to administrative agencies exercising the power to create, adjudicate, and enforce rules. In 2025, Ballotpedia tracked 2,038 bills and resolutions across all 50 states, with 42 states adopting or enacting 337 that reshape how agencies operate.
These laws affect everything from environmental regulations to occupational licensing, directly impacting how government agencies interact with citizens and businesses.
Notably, five states—Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Utah—adopted REINS-style laws, nearly doubling the national total to nine states. REINS laws require legislative approval of major agency rules before they can take effect, expanding elected officials' oversight of regulatory actions.
Key findings from the 2025 legislative session
- Thirty-seven (37) states passed 144 bills decreasing agency authority.
- Republican trifectas passed 207 administrative state-related bills and resolutions, Democratic trifectas passed 78, and divided governments passed 51 in 2025.
- There was more legislative activity regarding REINS-style state laws, judicial deference, government efficiency, and regulatory reduction in 2025 than in 2024.
- Five states enacted REINS-style state laws in 2025, three more than in 2024.
- Five states enacted legislation prohibiting or limiting judicial deference, one more than in 2024. More than twice as many states considered judicial deference legislation in 2025 as in 2024.
- Ten (10) states enacted 15 regulatory reduction bills in 2025, five more bills than in 2024.
- Four states enacted nine government efficiency bills in 2025, five more bills than in 2024.
Where States Focused Their Reforms
Legislative Oversight: 23 states passed 47 bills addressing legislative control over agencies, including the five new REINS laws, legislative nullification of agency rules (Wyoming), notice requirements (Montana), and oversight of out-of-session agency funding (North Dakota).
Judicial Review: Nine states passed nine laws addressing court oversight of agencies. Five states—Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas—prohibited or limited judicial deference to agencies. Other measures addressed venue expansions (Nebraska) and review of federal agency regulations (Utah).
Executive Authority: 14 states approved 22 bills affecting gubernatorial authority over agencies, including appointment and removal powers, gubernatorial review of rules (Oklahoma, Louisiana), and gubernatorial approval for immigration agreements (Vermont).
Public Control: 37 states enacted 139 laws affecting public control mechanisms, including measures on transparency, public comment periods, enforcement procedures, occupational licensing reforms, and regulatory sandboxes.
Agency Operations: 38 states enacted 212 laws affecting agency structure and function. These created or eliminated agencies, streamlined operations, and addressed government efficiency. Some required agencies to report hiring practices or performance metrics, while others restricted access to personal identifying information.
Federal Activity
Ballotpedia also tracked 129 federal bills in the 119th Congress related to the administrative state, covering topics such as public disclosure requirements, guidance documents, legislative review of agency actions, and efficiency reforms.
About Ballotpedia Legislation Trackers
Ballotpedia’s legislation trackers provide a free (no login or sign-up required) and centralized hub that makes staying on top of legislation and legislative reforms across all 50 states easier than ever. Founded on Ballotpedia’s hallmark principle of being neutral on the issues, but passionate about the facts, our legislation trackers are updated in real time and designed to be easily searchable. Used as a go-to resource for voters, reporters, researchers, academics, and activists, they capture any bill introduced on the given topic across all 50-state legislatures and track bill movement every step of the way.
About Ballotpedia
Ballotpedia–the encyclopedia of American politics–is the nation’s most trusted source of unbiased information on politics, elections, and policy. Founded in 2007, Ballotpedia has grown from a small group of dedicated volunteers working on a handful of ballot measures to an essential resource for voters, media and researchers. Ballotpedia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the public interest in creating an educated, engaged electorate, and building a strong, healthy democracy. For free access to 500,000+ encyclopedic, professionally authored and curated articles, visit Ballotpedia.org.
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