Bill > LB565

This bill amends Nebraska's Administrative Procedure Act to establish stricter requirements for government agency guidance documents, which are advisory instructions that explain how an agency interprets laws or regulations. Under the new provisions, agencies must publish guidance documents on their websites, create an annual index of all current guidance documents, and include a notice on the first page stating that the document is advisory but binding until amended. The bill also requires agencies to provide an estimated fiscal impact on state agencies, political subdivisions, and regulated businesses. Individuals can now request that an agency revise, repeal, or convert a guidance document into a formal rule, and the agency must respond within 60 days. Importantly, the bill restricts agencies from issuing new guidance documents between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2027, unless required by federal rules, and mandates that guidance documents cannot impose stricter regulations on Nebraska residents or businesses than federal requirements. Additionally, all guidance documents issued between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2025, will be revoked unless they are explicitly required for federal compliance, which aims to reduce potential regulatory burdens.