; and (B) solicit ideas about alternative methods of compliance and potential flexibilities, and input on whether the Federal regulation will harmonize with and not duplicate similar laws in other levels of government. (5) Consultations shall address the cumulative impact of regulations on the affected entities. (6) Agencies may accept electronic submissions of comments by relevant parties but may not use those comments as the sole method of satisfying the guidelines in this subsection. 385. Least burdensome option or explanation required (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), before promulgating any rule for which a written statement is required under section 382, 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) 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) Certification No later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs 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. 386. Assistance to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs shall— (1) collect from agencies the statements prepared under section 382