Iowa House Bill HSB81

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 1/25/23

Caption

A bill for an act concerning the rulemaking process for executive branch agencies and related matters and including effective date provisions.(See HF 688.)

Impact

The implications of HSB81 are substantial as it seeks to improve transparency and accountability in the rulemaking process. By mandating that agencies provide clear identifications of standards adopted by reference, it enhances public access to the rules governing agency operations. Additionally, it shifts the responsibility of maintaining a permanent register of rules from the administrative rules coordinator to the administrative code editor, which may modernize how these records are managed, promoting efficiency.

Summary

House Study Bill 81 introduces significant amendments concerning the rulemaking processes for executive branch agencies in Iowa. The bill aims to streamline the administrative procedures under Code chapter 17A, focusing on how agencies must adopt standards by reference to other publications. Notably, the bill requires that any standards adopted by an agency must include specific identifying information, such as the version and date of the publication referenced. This change seeks to clarify and define the adoption process, ensuring that references to standards are accurate and trackable.

Contention

While the bill's intention is to simplify the rulemaking process and enhance transparency, there are potential points of contention among stakeholders, especially regarding the availability of certain publications. Agencies may find the new requirements burdensome, particularly when it comes to proprietary or specialized information that may not be as easily accessible. Furthermore, the ability of the administrative rules review committee to suspend an agency's action for an extended period could be seen as a limitation on the agencies' operational capabilities, leading to delays in the implementation of essential regulations.