House legislation seeks increase review of proposed regulations

The state House of Representatives recently advanced legislation that would create an enhanced review process of proposed regulations that would have a large financial impact on businesses and taxpayers.

The review process would apply to regulations that impose a cost burden of $1 million or more annually on the state, municipalities, and/or the business community.

The review process would verify the cost impact of proposed regulations. The General Assembly would have 30 calendar days, or 10 legislative days, whichever is longer, to vote on the proposal.

If voting does not occur during that time or if the regulation is voted down in either chamber, the regulation would not be implemented.

House Bill 72 also states that if the state Independent Regulatory Review Commission approves a regulation, a concurrent resolution approving the regulation must be passed by the House and Senate. This also applies if an agency decides to implement a regulation without the commission’s support.

“The Wolf administration issued a reprieve from enforcing certain regulations during the pandemic, showing that the public can operate efficiently and without incident even without regulations,” state Rep. Dawn Keefer (R-Dillsburg), who introduced the bill, said.

The bill moves to the Senate for consideration.