House Bill 305 amends Florida Statutes to reform the administrative procedures governing state agencies' rulemaking authority. A central feature of the bill is the establishment of an eight-year expiration period for all rules adopted by agencies, which must be readopted through the specified rulemaking process. The bill also mandates that agencies prepare a statement of estimated regulatory costs for proposed rules and conduct a retrospective cost-benefit analysis for each adopted rule after four years. Additionally, it requires the Administrative Procedures Committee to review rules for compliance with new expiration and readoption requirements, and to publish effective and expiration dates in the Florida Administrative Code.

The bill introduces provisions that allow parties subject to enforcement actions to challenge the validity of rules or guidance documents based on a lack of statutory authority, with the possibility of recovering costs and attorney fees for successful challenges. It also specifies that certain rules, such as those necessary for federal compliance, are exempt from expiration but must still undergo periodic review. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the rulemaking process while ensuring that agencies operate within their legally defined authority, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 305 Filed: 120.536, 120.545