Bill > S1552

This bill aims to reform the regulatory process by introducing new oversight and analysis requirements for state agencies. It establishes a joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight, which will receive copies of all adopted rules and regulations from agencies, defined as any state government department, board, commission, division, authority, or official authorized to make regulations or conduct adjudicatory proceedings, with specific exclusions. This committee will have the power to examine these rules to ensure they are valid exercises of delegated authority, that the statutory basis for them hasn't expired, that they are necessary to fulfill legislative intent, are reasonable for affected parties, and that proper regulatory analysis was conducted. The committee can request information from agencies and must consult with other relevant legislative committees. Within 30 days of receiving an adopted rule, the committee can approve it, disapprove it and propose an amendment, or disapprove it entirely, with specific procedures outlined for each scenario, including how amended rules are resubmitted and how disapprovals can ultimately lead to a rule not becoming effective. The bill also enhances requirements for regulatory analysis, mandating a subsequent analysis if requested by the governor, a specific executive office, the joint committee, or 300 interested persons, which must include an examination of benefits, costs, and cost-effectiveness compared to alternatives. Furthermore, agencies will be required to review their rules every six years to ensure they minimize economic impact on small businesses, filing a report detailing factors like the rule's continuing need, public complaints, alternative solutions, complexity, overlap with other regulations, and changes in technology or economic conditions. Finally, any agency approving a state grant exceeding $500,000 must submit a detailed cost-benefit analysis to the joint committee, including information on the grantee selection process, number of applications, expected job creation or maintenance, and other state grants received by the grantee.