H.R. 2844 would codify the current-law Voluntary Protection Programs as the Michael Enzi Voluntary Protection Program. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) administers those programs, which recognize federal and private-sector employers for voluntarily instituting specific workplace health and safety measures. Under the bill, OSHA would be required to issue criteria and regulations for the newly renamed program within two years of enactment.
Under current law, employers must meet performance-based criteria to participate in the programs. OSHA reevaluates participants periodically for adherence and exempts qualifying employers from inspections as long as they continue to meet the criteria. Those requirements would continue under the bill.
Based on the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2844 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2026-2031 period. Any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aaron Pervin. The estimate was reviewed by Chad Chirico, Director of Budget Analysis.
