BILL NUMBER: AB 2091INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Bill Berryhill FEBRUARY 23, 2012 An act to amend Sections 11346.2 and 11349.1 of, and to add Section 11346.10 to, the Government Code, relating to regulations. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2091, as introduced, Bill Berryhill. Regulations: new or emerging technology. The Administrative Procedure Act generally sets forth the requirements for the adoption, publication, review, and implementation of regulations by state agencies, and for review of those regulatory actions by the Office of Administrative Law. The act requires an agency that is proposing an administrative regulation to prepare and submit to the office, and make available to the public upon request, specific information. The act requires the office to return to an agency any proposed regulation that does not meet certain requirements. This bill would require a state agency proposing an administrative regulation that would require a person or entity to use a new or emerging technology or equipment in order to achieve the identified purpose of the regulation to determine if that technology is available and effective in accordance with certain requirements. The bill would also require the state agency that is proposing the regulation to include certain provisions in the regulation. The bill would require the state agency to submit to the office, and make available to the public upon request, a statement that the agency has complied with the requirements of this act. The bill would require the office to return to the agency the proposed regulation if the agency has not complied with the prescribed requirements. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 11346.2 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 496 of the Statutes of 2011, is amended to read: 11346.2. Every agency subject to this chapter shall prepare, submit to the office with the notice of the proposed action as described in Section 11346.5, and make available to the public upon request, all of the following: (a) A copy of the express terms of the proposed regulation. (1) The agency shall draft the regulation in plain, straightforward language, avoiding technical terms as much as possible, and using a coherent and easily readable style. The agency shall draft the regulation in plain English. (2) The agency shall include a notation following the express terms of each California Code of Regulations section, listing the specific statutes or other provisions of law authorizing the adoption of the regulation and listing the specific statutes or other provisions of law being implemented, interpreted, or made specific by that section in the California Code of Regulations. (3) The agency shall use underline or italics to indicate additions to, and strikeout to indicate deletions from, the California Code of Regulations. (b) An initial statement of reasons for proposing the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a regulation. This statement of reasons shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (1) A statement of the specific purpose of each adoption, amendment, or repeal, the problem the agency intends to address, and the rationale for the determination by the agency that each adoption, amendment, or repeal is reasonably necessary to carry out the purpose and address the problem for which it is proposed. The statement shall enumerate the benefits anticipated from the regulatory action, including the benefits or goals provided in the authorizing statute. The benefits may include, to the extent applicable, nonmonetary benefits such as the protection of public health and safety, worker safety, or the environment, the prevention of discrimination, the promotion of fairness or social equity, and the increase in openness and transparency in business and government, among other things. (2) For a major regulation proposed on or after January 1, 2013, the standardized regulatory impact analysis required by Section 11346.3. (3) An identification of each technical, theoretical, and empirical study, report, or similar document, if any, upon which the agency relies in proposing the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a regulation. (4) Where the adoption or amendment of a regulation would mandate the use of specific technologies or equipment, a statement of the reasons why the agency believes these mandates or prescriptive standards are required. (5) (A) A description of reasonable alternatives to the regulation and the agency's reasons for rejecting those alternatives. Reasonable alternatives to be considered include, but are not limited to, alternatives that are proposed as less burdensome and equally effective in achieving the purposes of the regulation in a manner that ensures full compliance with the authorizing statute or other law being implemented or made specific by the proposed regulation. In the case of a regulation that would mandate the use of specific technologies or equipment or prescribe specific actions or procedures, the imposition of performance standards shall be considered as an alternative. (B) A description of reasonable alternatives to the regulation that would lessen any adverse impact on small business and the agency' s reasons for rejecting those alternatives. (C) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) or (B), an agency is not required to artificially construct alternatives or describe unreasonable alternatives. (6) Facts, evidence, documents, testimony, or other evidence on which the agency relies to support an initial determination that the action will not have a significant adverse economic impact on business. (7) A department, board, or commission within the Environmental Protection Agency, the Natural Resources Agency, or the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall describe its efforts, in connection with a proposed rulemaking action, to avoid unnecessary duplication or conflicts with federal regulations contained in the Code of Federal Regulations addressing the same issues. These agencies may adopt regulations different from federal regulations contained in the Code of Federal Regulations addressing the same issues upon a finding of one or more of the following justifications: (A) The differing state regulations are authorized by law. (B) The cost of differing state regulations is justified by the benefit to human health, public safety, public welfare, or the environment. (c) A state agency that adopts or amends a regulation mandated by federal law or regulations, the provisions of which are identical to a previously adopted or amended federal regulation, shall be deemed to have complied with subdivision (b) if a statement to the effect that a federally mandated regulation or amendment to a regulation is being proposed, together with a citation to where an explanation of the provisions of the regulation can be found, is included in the notice of proposed adoption or amendment prepared pursuant to Section 11346.5. However, the agency shall comply fully with this chapter with respect to any provisions in the regulation that the agency proposes to adopt or amend that are different from the corresponding provisions of the federal regulation. (d) If an agency is proposing to adopt, amend, or repeal a regulation that requires a person or entity to use a new or emerging technology or equipment in order to achieve the identified purpose of the regulation, a statement that the agency has complied with the requirements of Section 11346.10.(d)(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2012.(e)(f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2014, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2014, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 2. Section 11346.2 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 3 of Chapter 496 of the Statutes of 2011, is amended to read: 11346.2. Every agency subject to this chapter shall prepare, submit to the office with the notice of the proposed action as described in Section 11346.5, and make available to the public upon request, all of the following: (a) A copy of the express terms of the proposed regulation. (1) The agency shall draft the regulation in plain, straightforward language, avoiding technical terms as much as possible, and using a coherent and easily readable style. The agency shall draft the regulation in plain English. (2) The agency shall include a notation following the express terms of each California Code of Regulations section, listing the specific statutes or other provisions of law authorizing the adoption of the regulation and listing the specific statutes or other provisions of law being implemented, interpreted, or made specific by that section in the California Code of Regulations. (3) The agency shall use underline or italics to indicate additions to, and strikeout to indicate deletions from, the California Code of Regulations. (b) An initial statement of reasons for proposing the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a regulation. This statement of reasons shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (1) A statement of the specific purpose of each adoption, amendment, or repeal, the problem the agency intends to address, and the rationale for the determination by the agency that each adoption, amendment, or repeal is reasonably necessary to carry out the purpose and address the problem for which it is proposed. The statement shall enumerate the benefits anticipated from the regulatory action, including the benefits or goals provided in the authorizing statute. These benefits may include, to the extent applicable, nonmonetary benefits such as the protection of public health and safety, worker safety, or the environment, the prevention of discrimination, the promotion of fairness or social equity, and the increase in openness and transparency in business and government, among other things. Where the adoption or amendment of a regulation would mandate the use of specific technologies or equipment, a statement of the reasons why the agency believes these mandates or prescriptive standards are required. (2) For a major regulation proposed on or after November 1, 2013, the standardized regulatory impact analysis required by Section 11346.3. (3) An identification of each technical, theoretical, and empirical study, report, or similar document, if any, upon which the agency relies in proposing the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a regulation. (4) (A) A description of reasonable alternatives to the regulation and the agency's reasons for rejecting those alternatives. Reasonable alternatives to be considered include, but are not limited to, alternatives that are proposed as less burdensome and equally effective in achieving the purposes of the regulation in a manner that ensures full compliance with the authorizing statute or other law being implemented or made specific by the proposed regulation. In the case of a regulation that would mandate the use of specific technologies or equipment or prescribe specific actions or procedures, the imposition of performance standards shall be considered as an alternative. (B) A description of reasonable alternatives to the regulation that would lessen any adverse impact on small business and the agency' s reasons for rejecting those alternatives. (C) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) or (B), an agency is not required to artificially construct alternatives or describe unreasonable alternatives. (5) Facts, evidence, documents, testimony, or other evidence on which the agency relies to support an initial determination that the action will not have a significant adverse economic impact on business. (6) A department, board, or commission within the Environmental Protection Agency, the Natural Resources Agency, or the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall describe its efforts, in connection with a proposed rulemaking action, to avoid unnecessary duplication or conflicts with federal regulations contained in the Code of Federal Regulations addressing the same issues. These agencies may adopt regulations different from federal regulations contained in the Code of Federal Regulations addressing the same issues upon a finding of one or more of the following justifications: (A) The differing state regulations are authorized by law. (B) The cost of differing state regulations is justified by the benefit to human health, public safety, public welfare, or the environment. (c) A state agency that adopts or amends a regulation mandated by federal law or regulations, the provisions of which are identical to a previously adopted or amended federal regulation, shall be deemed to have complied with subdivision (b) if a statement to the effect that a federally mandated regulation or amendment to a regulation is being proposed, together with a citation to where an explanation of the provisions of the regulation can be found, is included in the notice of proposed adoption or amendment prepared pursuant to Section 11346.5. However, the agency shall comply fully with this chapter with respect to any provisions in the regulation that the agency proposes to adopt or amend that are different from the corresponding provisions of the federal regulation. (d) If an agency is proposing to adopt, amend, or repeal a regulation that requires a person or entity to use a new or emerging technology or equipment in order to achieve the identified purpose of the regulation, a statement that the agency has complied with the requirements of Section 11346.10.(d)(e) This section shall be inoperative from January 1, 2012, until January 1, 2014. SEC. 3. Section 11346.10 is added to the Government Code, to read: 11346.10. (a) State agencies proposing to adopt, amend, or repeal any administrative regulation that would require a person or entity to use a new or emerging technology or equipment in order to achieve the identified purpose of the regulation shall determine if that technology is available and effective. A technology is available and effective if the agency provides findings and evidence that both of the following conditions are met: (1) (A) The technology is currently commercially available, or will be commercially available by the time that the regulation is effective. (B) For purposes of this section, "commercially available" means that the technology is available on the market from at least two providers or manufacturers. (2) The technology has been available, and has been proven to be effective, for at least two years. (b) Any regulation proposed to be adopted, amended, or repealed, pursuant to this section, shall include the following provisions: (1) If the new technology is not commercially available on the effective date of the regulation, the adopting agency shall not enforce a violation of that regulation with respect to the use of that technology until at least six months after the required technology becomes commercially available, and the agency posts on its Internet Web site, and in the California Regulatory Notice Register, that the required technology has become commercially available. (2) If a person or entity incurs any costs purchasing a new technology required by the regulation, and the agency ultimately determines that the regulatory program is unfeasible because the new technology does not function as intended by the agency, the agency shall reimburse the person or entity for any costs incurred in complying with the regulation. (c) This section shall not apply to a regulation proposed to be adopted, amended, or repealed by a state agency that requires the use of a new or emerging technology or equipment in order to achieve the identified purpose of the regulation if that requirement is only being imposed on the industry that is directly responsible for developing or manufacturing the new or emerging technology as a part of that industry's core business. (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an agency from adopting new or additional standards for new or emerging technology or other equipment. SEC. 4. Section 11349.1 of the Government Code is amended to read: 11349.1. (a) The office shall review all regulations adopted, amended, or repealed pursuant to the procedure specified in Article 5 (commencing with Section 11346) and submitted to it for publication in the California Code of Regulations Supplement and for transmittal to the Secretary of State and make determinations using all of the following standards: (1) Necessity. (2) Authority. (3) Clarity. (4) Consistency. (5) Reference. (6) Nonduplication. In reviewing regulations pursuant to this section, the office shall restrict its review to the regulation and the record of the rulemaking proceeding. The office shall approve the regulation or order of repeal if it complies with the standards set forth in this section and with this chapter. (b) In reviewing proposed regulations for the criteria in subdivision (a), the office may consider the clarity of the proposed regulation in the context of related regulations already in existence. (c) The office shall adopt regulations governing the procedures it uses in reviewing regulations submitted to it. The regulations shall provide for an orderly review and shall specify the methods, standards, presumptions, and principles the office uses, and the limitations it observes, in reviewing regulations to establish compliance with the standards specified in subdivision (a). The regulations adopted by the office shall ensure that it does not substitute its judgment for that of the rulemaking agency as expressed in the substantive content of adopted regulations. (d) The office shall return any regulation subject to this chapter to the adopting agency if any of the following occur: (1) The adopting agency has not prepared the estimate required by paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 11346.5 and has not included the data used and calculations made and the summary report of the estimate in the file of the rulemaking. (2) The adopting agency has not complied with Section 11346.3. "Noncompliance" means that the agency failed to complete the economic impact assessment or standardized regulatory impact analysis required by Section 11346.3 or failed to include the assessment or analysis in the file of the rulemaking proceeding as required by Section 11347.3. (3) The adopting agency has prepared the estimate required by paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 11346.5, the estimate indicates that the regulation will result in a cost to local agencies or school districts that is required to be reimbursed under Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4, and the adopting agency fails to do any of the following: (A) Cite an item in the Budget Act for the fiscal year in which the regulation will go into effect as the source from which the Controller may pay the claims of local agencies or school districts. (B) Cite an accompanying bill appropriating funds as the source from which the Controller may pay the claims of local agencies or school districts. (C) Attach a letter or other documentation from the Department of Finance which states that the Department of Finance has approved a request by the agency that funds be included in the Budget Bill for the next following fiscal year to reimburse local agencies or school districts for the costs mandated by the regulation. (D) Attach a letter or other documentation from the Department of Finance which states that the Department of Finance has authorized the augmentation of the amount available for expenditure under the agency's appropriation in the Budget Act which is for reimbursement pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 to local agencies or school districts from the unencumbered balances of other appropriations in the Budget Act and that this augmentation is sufficient to reimburse local agencies or school districts for their costs mandated by the regulation. (4) The proposed regulation conflicts with an existing state regulation and the agency has not identified the manner in which the conflict may be resolved. (5) The adopting agency did not make the alternatives determination as required by paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 11346.9. (6) If an agency is proposing to adopt, amend, or repeal a regulation that requires a person or entity to use a new or emerging technology or equipment in order to achieve the identified purpose of the regulation, the adopting agency has not complied with the requirements of Section 11346.10. (e) The office shall notify the Department of Finance of all regulations returned pursuant to subdivision (d). (f) The office shall return a rulemaking file to the submitting agency if the file does not comply with subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 11347.3. Within three state working days of the receipt of a rulemaking file, the office shall notify the submitting agency of any deficiency identified. If no notice of deficiency is mailed to the adopting agency within that time, a rulemaking file shall be deemed submitted as of the date of its original receipt by the office. A rulemaking file shall not be deemed submitted until each deficiency identified under this subdivision has been corrected. (g) Notwithstanding any other law, return of the regulation to the adopting agency by the office pursuant to this section is the exclusive remedy for a failure to comply with subdivision (c) of Section 11346.3 or paragraph (10) of subdivision (a) of Section 11346.5.