The REINS Act of 2025 aims to enhance oversight of administrative rules by modifying the responsibilities of the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT). The bill requires LOFT to conduct rule impact analyses for major rules, defined as those with implementation and compliance costs exceeding $1 million within the first five years. LOFT is mandated to provide independent economic analyses to assist the Legislature in reviewing proposed rules and must submit reports within 21 days of receiving these proposals. Additionally, state agencies are required to cooperate with LOFT by providing necessary data and documentation. The bill also amends the Administrative Procedures Act to introduce new definitions and update requirements related to agency rules, emphasizing transparency and accountability in the rule-making process.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a mandatory comment period of at least thirty days for stakeholders to provide input on proposed rules and requires agencies to consider the impacts of their actions on various groups. It modifies the legislative review process for proposed permanent rules, changing the submission deadline from April 1 to February 1, and stipulates that major rules must be addressed in separate joint resolutions. The bill also allows agencies to withdraw rules from legislative review and clarifies that emergency rules remain valid despite legislative disapproval. The REINS Act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with immediate implementation provisions for public health and safety.

Statutes affected:
Amended And Engrossed: 75-250.3, 75-253, 75-308
Enrolled (final version): 75-250.3, 75-253, 75-308