House Bill No. by Representative Wright amends the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to enhance the process for the promulgation of rules by state agencies. Key changes include a requirement for agencies proposing new rules to simultaneously identify and notify the public of two existing rules they intend to repeal. Additionally, the bill establishes that any rule adopted will expire on June 30 of the year following its adoption unless specific legislation is enacted to extend its effectiveness. The bill also mandates that oversight subcommittees conduct hearings on all proposed rules and review annual rulemaking reports from agencies.

Furthermore, the bill repeals a provision that previously allowed for the validity of rules to remain unaffected by a subcommittee's failure to conduct a hearing. Instead, it emphasizes the necessity of oversight hearings, ensuring that legislative committees actively engage in the review process of agency rules. The proposed law applies to all rules submitted for adoption, amendment, or repeal after the bill's effective date, which will be upon the governor's signature or after the lapse of the time for gubernatorial action.

Statutes affected:
HB709 Original: 49:961(A)(1), 49:966(D)(1), 49:966(E)(2)