(a) In general

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, before promulgating any rule for which a written statement is required under section 1532 of this title, the agency shall identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and from those alternatives select the least costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule, for -

(1)

State, local, and tribal governments, in the case of a rule containing a Federal intergovernmental mandate; and

(2)

the private sector, in the case of a rule containing a Federal private sector mandate.

(b) Exception

The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall apply unless -

(1)

the head of the affected agency publishes with the final rule an explanation of why the least costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome method of achieving the objectives of the rule was not adopted; or

(2)

the provisions are inconsistent with law.

(c) OMB certification

No later than 1 year after March 22, 1995, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall certify to Congress, with a written explanation, agency compliance with this section and include in that certification agencies and rulemakings that fail to adequately comply with this section