Bill > LD965

This bill amends the Maine Administrative Procedure Act to establish an automatic sunset provision for agency rules, requiring most administrative rules to be automatically repealed after 5 years unless renewed by the Legislature. Specifically, any agency rule adopted after January 1, 2026, will be automatically repealed 5 years from its adoption date, while rules adopted on or before January 1, 2026, will be automatically repealed on January 1, 2030. The bill creates a structured process for rule renewal, requiring agencies to submit renewal requests with a cost-benefit analysis between 1-2 years before the rule's expiration. Legislative committees will review these requests and can recommend renewal for an additional 5-year period. Interestingly, the bill also mandates that when an agency adopts a new rule after January 1, 2026, it must simultaneously identify two existing rules it will not seek to renew, which adds an element of regulatory streamlining. The goal appears to be ensuring ongoing legislative oversight of administrative rules and preventing outdated or unnecessary regulations from remaining in effect indefinitely. The bill provides detailed mechanisms for notice, review, and potential renewal, giving the Legislature more active control over the regulatory landscape.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=965&snum=132