The state Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee recently approved legislation that would create a three-year regulatory reduction pilot program.
The program would be created in the Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs and the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole.
Senate Bill 259 sets a 25 percent regulatory requirements and compliance cost reduction goal.
The agencies would be required to provide details on the number, and type of, existing regulations and their requirements. The information would be used to set the baseline for the reduction targets.
“My bill is about unleashing the entrepreneurial spirit in Pennsylvania and enabling job creators to grow our economy without being stifled by job-crushing excessive regulation,” state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Adams/Franklin), who introduced the bill, said. “This is an innovative, bipartisan approach to grow our economy by eliminating regulations that kill jobs without improving the quality of life for Pennsylvanians.”
The bill would reduce barriers in occupations requiring a license as a condition of employment.
The Virginia Legislature approved a similar bill in 2018. After becoming law, it resulted in a 27 percent reduction in Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation regulations.
The bill heads to the full Senate for consideration.