Provides for the detailing of the benefits and costs of proposed rules in the regulatory impact statements to ensure proper disclosure to the public of such information.
Summary
Bill A00243 aims to amend the State Administrative Procedure Act to enhance transparency and accountability in the rulemaking process by requiring state agencies to provide detailed assessments of the benefits and costs associated with proposed rules. The bill mandates that agencies publish a comprehensive assessment of public comments received during the rulemaking process, including any differing estimates of costs or benefits provided by the public. This is intended to ensure that the public is adequately informed about the potential impacts of regulatory actions.
Impact
If enacted, this bill will significantly alter the current procedures for regulatory impact statements by requiring a more thorough analysis of both the benefits and costs of proposed rules. It will enhance public engagement in the rulemaking process by ensuring that all comments, especially those that provide alternative estimates of costs and benefits, are considered and summarized. This could lead to more informed decision-making by agencies and potentially result in regulations that better reflect the needs and concerns of the public.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding Bill A00243 appears to be generally supportive, particularly among advocates for transparency and public participation in government processes. However, there may be concerns from some agencies about the increased administrative burden and potential delays in the rulemaking process due to the additional requirements for detailed assessments and public comment analysis.
Contention
Notable points of contention may arise from state agencies that could view the bill as an additional bureaucratic hurdle that complicates the rulemaking process. Some lawmakers and stakeholders may argue that the requirements could slow down necessary regulatory actions, while proponents of the bill emphasize the importance of public input and the need for comprehensive assessments to ensure that regulations are beneficial and justified.
Provides for the detailing of the benefits and costs of proposed rules in the regulatory impact statements to ensure proper disclosure to the public of such information.
All Economic Regulations are Transparent Act of 2023 or the ALERT Act of 2023 This bill establishes various reporting requirements with respect to federal agency rulemaking. Specifically, each agency must submit a monthly report to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for each rule the agency expects to propose or finalize during the following year, including information about the objectives and legal basis for the rule as well as whether the rule is subject to periodic review based on its significant economic impact. Additionally, each agency must submit a monthly report for any rule expected to be finalized during the following year for which the agency has issued a general notice of proposed rulemaking, including an approximate schedule for completing action on the rule and an estimate of its cost and economic effects. OIRA must publish this information online and, subject to certain exceptions, a rule may not take effect until the information has been published for at least six months. The bill also requires OIRA to annually publish in the Federal Register specified information it receives from agencies under this bill, including a list of each rule an agency has proposed and the total cost of all rules proposed or finalized. OIRA must further publish online (1) any analysis of the costs or benefits of rules that were proposed or finalized during the previous year, and (2) a list of rules that were subjected to various forms of review during the previous year.