Requires State agencies, when developing and proposing rules, to utilize approaches that will accomplish objectives of statutory law while minimizing adverse economic impact on municipalities.
Impact
By enforcing a broader application of existing mandates, A3699 intends to secure municipal budgets from being strained by unforeseen compliance costs due to new State rules. The expectation is that State agencies will adopt practices that align with statutory objectives while being mindful of the financial ramifications for municipalities. The bill sponsors indicate that this is particularly crucial considering recent legislative measures that have capped tax levies for local budgets, thereby restricting funding sources for municipalities.
Summary
Assembly Bill A3699 proposes significant changes to how State agencies must approach rule-making that impacts municipalities. Currently, laws focus on minimizing adverse economic impacts predominantly on 'small' municipalities. However, A3699 seeks to remove the designation of size, thereby requiring all municipalities to be considered equally under this mandate. This change acknowledges that all areas are likely to face economic pressures and ensures that State agencies comprehensively evaluate the financial impact of proposed regulations.
Contention
Notably, the removal of the 'small' designation in the bill’s language has raised concerns among some legislators. Critics argue that this could lead to increased regulatory burdens on larger municipalities in situations where certain economic adjustments were previously contemplated for smaller localities. Moreover, there is apprehension that the flexibility analysis mandated could become a bureaucratic hurdle that slows down the rule-making process and complicates compliance efforts, ultimately hampering local governance.
Requires State agencies, when developing and proposing rules, to utilize approaches that will accomplish objectives of statutory law while minimizing adverse economic impact on municipalities.