HARRISBURG – The Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) requiring a one-time review of all economically significant regulations in Pennsylvania.
Under Senate Bill 190, regulations with an economic impact or cost to the Commonwealth, to its political subdivisions, and to the private sector exceeding $1 million annually would be reviewed for their need, effectiveness and efficiency three years after implementation.
“My bill cuts government red tape that hurts Pennsylvania’s employers, farmers and local governments. With this change, we could see a statewide benefit from job growth and a boost to our economy,” Brooks said. “We need to get government out of the way so people and our state as a whole can succeed.”
After three years, the agency with the regulation must review it and then report to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) the following findings:
- The status of implementation
- The effectiveness and efficiency of the regulation, as well as any steps taken to increase efficiency in implementing it
- The direct and indirect cost of the regulation, and whether the fiscal impact was over-estimated or under-estimated, as well as the nature of any public comments on the regulation
- Whether Pennsylvania’s current laws require the regulation’s repeal or amendment
- If the agency with the regulation is considering changing the regulation, and whether the regulation itself is still needed
The IRRC would then collect public comments about the submitted report for at least 30 days. Within 30 days of the end of the public comment period, IRRC would determine whether the regulation is still in the public interest and whether statutory changes should be considered.
This one-time, automatic review would help protect businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions and individuals from costly, burdensome regulations and hold state regulators accountable.
The bill now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration.
CONTACT: Adam Gingrich, 717-787-1322