House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to enhance the rulemaking procedures for state agencies in Montana under the Administrative Procedure Act. Key provisions require agencies to engage with the primary sponsors of related legislation during the development of rule proposals, ensuring they are informed and can provide input. If the agency chooses not to incorporate the sponsor's comments, it must provide an explanation. The bill also mandates the creation of an interested persons list to improve public engagement, requires electronic acceptance of public comments, and necessitates the inclusion of a small business impact analysis in proposal notices. Agencies must notify interested parties within three days of a proposal notice and allow for hard copy requests.

Additionally, the bill amends existing regulations to improve transparency and accountability in the rulemaking process. It establishes that agencies must provide at least 20 days' notice for hearings and allows for extended public submission periods if amended notices are issued. The bill removes previous requirements for oral hearings based on the number of affected individuals and clarifies the process for correcting rule citation deficiencies. It also enhances the authority of the administrative rule review committee, allowing it to formally object to proposed rules if there is a lack of substantial compliance with statutory provisions. The committee's objections must be documented, and proposed rules cannot be adopted until the objection is resolved, thereby strengthening oversight and ensuring public input is adequately considered.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_1(1): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_1(2): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_1(3): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_1(4): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_1(5): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_1: 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_2(1): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_2(2): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_2(3): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_2(4): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_2(5): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_2(6): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_2(7): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_2(8): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_2(9): 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122
HB0592_2: 2-3-301, 2-4-110, 2-4-111, 2-4-302, 2-4-305, 2-4-306, 2-4-406, 37-1-122