; and (3) ensure that agencies consider the costs of their administrative actions, take steps to offset those costs, and curtail costly administrative actions. 4. Requirements for administrative actions that effect direct spending (a) Discretionary administrative actions (1) In general Before an agency may undertake any covered discretionary administrative action, the head of the agency shall submit to the Director for review written notice regarding the proposed covered discretionary administrative action, which shall include an estimate of the budgetary effects of the proposed covered discretionary administrative action. (2) Increasing direct spending (A) In general If an agency proposes to take a covered discretionary administrative action that would increase direct spending, the written notice submitted by the head of the agency under paragraph (1) shall include a proposal to undertake 1 or more other administrative actions that would provide a reduction in direct spending comparable to the increase in direct spending attributable to the covered discretionary administrative action. (B) Review (i) In general The Director shall have the discretion to determine whether the reduction in direct spending proposed by an agency under subparagraph (A) is comparable to the increase in direct spending attributable to the covered discretionary administrative action to which the proposal relates, taking into account the magnitude of the reduction and the increase and any other factors the Director determines appropriate. (ii) No offset If the written notice regarding a proposed covered discretionary administrative action that would increase direct spending does not include a proposal to offset the increased direct spending, the Director shall return the proposal to the agency for resubmission in accordance with this Act. (b) Nondiscretionary actions If an agency determines that a proposed administrative action that would increase direct spending is required by statute and therefore is not a covered discretionary