SB 486 amends the Administrative Procedure Act to enhance the rulemaking process and improve legislative oversight of agency actions. Key changes include the insertion of new language that grants the director of the division of administrative rules for the office of legislative services the authority to amend and approve the drafting and procedure manual, replacing the previous requirement for approval by the commissioner of administrative services. The bill also modifies the rulemaking process by requiring agencies to provide notice of their intent to undertake rulemaking at least 20 days prior to public hearings, ensuring broader communication and transparency. Additionally, it mandates that agencies request a fiscal impact statement from the legislative budget assistant before filing a notice of rulemaking, emphasizing the consideration of financial implications early in the process.

Further amendments streamline the public comment process, allowing any interested person to petition an agency to adopt, amend, or repeal a rule, with agencies required to respond within a specified timeframe. The bill also introduces provisions for virtual or hybrid public comment hearings, ensuring greater public participation. Other notable changes include the establishment of a publicly accessible electronic rules database, the requirement for agencies to provide a rationale for incorporating third-party documents by reference, and the clarification of the process for adopting final proposed rules. Overall, SB 486 aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the administrative rulemaking process while ensuring that stakeholders are adequately informed and involved.

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
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