The bill amends the Administrative Procedures Act of 1969 by updating the definition of "rule" to clarify what constitutes an agency regulation or policy. It specifies that a "rule" includes various forms of agency regulations that implement or apply laws, but explicitly excludes certain types of documents and decisions, such as resolutions from the state administrative board, formal opinions from the attorney general, and specific rules related to game and fish regulations. Additionally, the bill introduces new exclusions for policies developed by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding assistance programs and federal compliance, as well as cleanup criteria established by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that certain rules concerning inmates in state correctional facilities, which were established before December 4, 1986, remain in effect until rescinded but must not be amended. The bill also includes a provision that it will not take effect unless two other specified bills from the 103rd Legislature are enacted into law. This legislative change aims to streamline the definition of rules and clarify the scope of agency regulations while ensuring that certain established policies remain intact.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 24.207