The bill amends the Administrative Procedure Act to enhance the rulemaking process for state agencies and improve transparency and public engagement. Key insertions include the clarification of definitions such as "declaratory ruling," which now pertains specifically to the applicability of statutory provisions, and the redefinition of "file" to include the receipt of documents by the director of the division of administrative rules. The bill also introduces new requirements for agencies to provide concise summaries of proposed rules, a listing of affected parties, and contact information for inquiries. Additionally, it mandates that agencies request fiscal impact statements prior to filing notices of rulemaking and establishes clearer guidelines for public comment processes, including virtual or hybrid hearings.

Significant deletions from current law include the removal of certain procedural language regarding the agency's intent to amend rules and specific filing requirements for final proposals. The bill streamlines the process for adopting interim rules and repealing existing rules, allowing for more flexibility and public participation. It also emphasizes the importance of public input by requiring agencies to consider comments before finalizing amendments and provides a clearer framework for the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules to review and respond to proposed rules. Overall, these changes aim to create a more efficient, accountable, and accessible rulemaking process in New Hampshire, with the act set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 541-A:1, 541-A:2, 541-A:3-a, 541-A:4, 541-A:5, 541-A:6, 541-A:8, 541-A:9, 541-A:10, 541-A:11, 541-A:12, 541-A:14, 541-A:14-a, 541-A:15, 541-A:16, 541-A:17, 541-A:18, 541-A:19, 541-A:19-a, 541-A:19-b, 541-A:19-d, 541-A:20-a, 541-A:23, 541-A:40
As Amended by the Senate: 541-A:1, 541-A:2, 541-A:3-a, 541-A:4, 541-A:5, 541-A:6, 541-A:8, 541-A:9, 541-A:10, 541-A:11, 541-A:12, 541-A:14, 541-A:14-a, 541-A:15, 541-A:16, 541-A:17, 541-A:18, 541-A:19, 541-A:19-a, 541-A:19-b, 541-A:19-d, 541-A:20-a, 541-A:23, 541-A:40
As Amended by the House: 541-A:1, 541-A:2, 541-A:3-a, 541-A:4, 541-A:5, 541-A:6, 541-A:8, 541-A:9, 541-A:10, 541-A:11, 541-A:12, 541-A:14, 541-A:14-a, 541-A:15, 541-A:16, 541-A:17, 541-A:18, 541-A:19, 541-A:19-a, 541-A:19-b, 541-A:19-d, 541-A:20-a, 541-A:23, 541-A:40, 541-A:21
Version adopted by both bodies: 541-A:1, 541-A:2, 541-A:3-a, 541-A:4, 541-A:5, 541-A:6, 541-A:8, 541-A:9, 541-A:10, 541-A:11, 541-A:12, 541-A:14, 541-A:14-a, 541-A:15, 541-A:16, 541-A:17, 541-A:18, 541-A:19, 541-A:19-a, 541-A:19-b, 541-A:19-d, 541-A:20-a, 541-A:23, 541-A:40, 541-A:21
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 541-A:1, 541-A:2, 541-A:3-a, 541-A:4, 541-A:5, 541-A:6, 541-A:8, 541-A:9, 541-A:10, 541-A:11, 541-A:12, 541-A:14, 541-A:14-a, 541-A:15, 541-A:16, 541-A:17, 541-A:18, 541-A:19, 541-A:19-a, 541-A:19-b, 541-A:19-d, 541-A:20-a, 541-A:23, 541-A:40, 541-A:21
SB486 text: 541-A:1, 541-A:2, 541-A:3-a, 541-A:4, 541-A:5, 541-A:6, 541-A:8, 541-A:9, 541-A:10, 541-A:11, 541-A:12, 541-A:14, 541-A:14-a, 541-A:15, 541-A:16, 541-A:17, 541-A:18, 541-A:19, 541-A:19-a, 541-A:19-b, 541-A:19-c, 541-A:19-d, 541-A:20-a, 541-A:23, 541-A:40