Bill > SF3316

This bill modifies Minnesota's Administrative Procedure Act to emphasize statutory authorization for agency rules and limit emergency rulemaking powers. The bill requires agencies to clearly identify the specific statutory authority for each rule, mandates that the revisor of statutes include a field showing statutory authority in rule publications, and removes the governor's ability to authorize agencies to create rules during emergencies. The legislation also changes judicial review procedures by prohibiting courts from deferring to agency interpretations of rules, which means courts will independently evaluate agency rule interpretations rather than automatically accepting an agency's explanation. Additionally, the bill clarifies that agency guidance documents do not constitute rules unless they are formally adopted through established rulemaking procedures. The changes aim to increase transparency, accountability, and legislative oversight of administrative rules, with most provisions taking effect for rules published before May 1, 2025. The bill reflects a broader trend of limiting executive branch discretion in creating and interpreting regulations by ensuring that rules are explicitly grounded in statutory language and subject to more rigorous judicial scrutiny.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF3316&ssn=0&y=2025