Bill > HB1078

This bill, amending the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, introduces a system for the periodic review and automatic expiration of agency rules to ensure they remain necessary, effective, and cost-efficient. Starting in 2027, the Office of Planning and Budget (or a designated state entity) will create a four-year schedule for reviewing all agency rules, with agencies being notified the year prior to their scheduled review. If an agency's rules are not actively continued or reissued by the end of the review year, they will automatically expire. Agencies that have previously reduced their rules, "regulatory requirements" (defined as mandates within rules using words like "shall," "must," "may not," "required," and "prohibited"), and overall word count by at least 10% since their last review will have their next scheduled review postponed by two years. In the year of review, agencies must conduct a detailed analysis of each rule, reporting on its total number of rules, regulatory requirements, words of guidance, compliance costs to the private sector, and the authorizing statutes, while also considering if the rule's benefits are being realized, justify the costs, and if less restrictive alternatives exist. The Office of Planning and Budget will provide standardized forms and processes for this analysis, which must be completed and published on the agency's website by September 1st of the review year, and submitted for review. Agencies are also required to solicit public input through broad notification and at least two public hearings, with input due by September 1st and hearings completed by July 1st of the review year. When continuing or reissuing rules, agencies must critically assess their necessity, effectiveness, and cost, consider alternatives, and ensure the regulatory burden and costs do not increase.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72504