Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) this week signed into law a bill aimed at cutting state regulations.
“If, upon reviewing a proposed rule or revised proposed rule, the joint committee on agency rule review makes any of the following findings with regard to the proposed rule or revised proposed rule, the joint committee may recommend to the senate and house of representatives the adoption of a concurrent resolution to invalidate the proposed rule or revised proposed rule or a part thereof,” the text of SB 9 says.
The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Rob McColley (R-Bryan) essentially gives the legislature the option to veto executive branch agency rules and regulations if those regulations meet certain criteria, which Republicans claim will lead to less bureaucracy in the state government.
Those criteria include:
- The proposed rule or revised proposed rule exceeds the scope of its statutory authority.
- The proposed rule or revised proposed rule conflicts with the legislative intent of the statute under which it was proposed.
- The proposed rule or revised proposed rule conflicts with another proposed or existing rule.
At the federal level, executive branch rules and regulations – many of which have the force of law – far exceed the number of actual laws passed by the legislative branch, a cause for concern among many conservatives.
The law also instructs state agencies to review their rules periodically, and only allows those rules to remain in place if they meet certain criteria.
“In making its review, the agency shall consider the continued need for the rule, the nature of any complaints or comments received concerning the rule, and any relevant factors that have changed in the subject matter area affected by the rule,” the bill says.
“If the existing rule needs to be amended or rescinded, the agency, on or before the review date of the existing rule, shall commence the process of amending or rescinding the existing rule in accordance with its review of the rule,” it adds.
The law is set to take effect on June 24.
DeWine’s office did not return a comment request.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
