Government & Regulatory Navigating Federal Legislation and Regulation

Federal legislation and regulation impact and define all aspects of business and governance. Small and large companies, nonprofits, local governments, and Tribal governments alike are all affected by far-reaching and often complex federal regulation and legislation. Many sectors are also inextricably linked to federal government oversight, funding, procurement, and compliance, including energy, tax, finance, construction, and tech. This is particularly true for newly developed sectors like climate change and resilience, ESG (environmental, social, and governance), and digital assets (cryptocurrency, stablecoin, and central bank digital currency). The continued growth and success of both established and contemporary sectors is fundamentally governed by federal regulation and legislation.

As the U.S. regulatory and legislative environment increases in complexity and reach, it is essential for businesses, organizations, and governments to effectively navigate these processes. Kilpatrick Townsend’s Washington, DC based Federal Regulatory and Public Policy Practice team, which includes lawyers and lobbyists working in tandem, guides and supports our clients through every stage of the legislative, executive, and regulatory process, leveraging our experience and expertise to ensure our clients’ objectives are met.

U.S. Federal Regulatory Process

Legislative –

When Congress passes a bill and the President signs it into law, the legislation outlines, defines, and provides funding for federal programs and initiatives. Federal Executive Agencies are then tasked with creating the regulations and rules for overseeing and administering these programs and initiatives.

Our team serves our clients by:

• Engaging and communicating with legislators, Department and Agency officials, and other policymakers to advance our clients’ interests.
• Assisting our clients in developing and executing successful legislative and public policy initiatives.
• Drafting, tracking, and amending legislative bills and language. 
• Drafting and preparing testimony for clients testifying in Congressional hearings.
• Assisting our clients in securing federal funding through Congress and Departments and Agencies.

Executive Agencies –

As noted, once legislation is passed federal Executive Agencies are tasked with overseeing and administering enacted programs and initiatives. While legislation will define the guidelines and funding for a given program, Agencies are required to establish comprehensive regulations for, administer, and ultimately oversee both the implementation of and compliance with a given program.

Federal Executive Agencies are also able to create and govern regulation through their own authority within specific areas of delegated oversight. For example, the IRS, Treasury, EPA, USDA, DOI, SEC, CFTC, and numerous other agencies have the inherent ability to create and administer regulations that fall within their respective ambits.

Our team serves our clients by:

• Engaging with Agency officials and senior leadership to shape the development and implementation of programs, guidance, and regulations.
• Responding to Agency written requests, including notices of proposed rulemaking, consultations, and other requests for comment.
• Facilitating efforts to access federal grant funding and financing.
• Providing counsel and analysis concerning regulatory requirements, Agency proceedings, and compliance standards.