State government: administrative regulations: review.
The bill impacts various state laws by enhancing the scrutiny of existing regulations, thereby potentially affecting operational efficiencies across state agencies. Significantly, it highlights the need for regulations to reflect contemporary economic conditions and address the challenges faced by the workforce, particularly as California seeks to recover from economic difficulties related to unemployment and underemployment. This bill prioritizes economic growth, which may lead to regulatory reform designed to support businesses and attract investment.
Assembly Bill 312, introduced by Assembly Member Cooley, establishes requirements for state agencies to review and reform their administrative regulations. The legislative intent behind this bill is to ensure that regulations within the California Code are not duplicative, overlapping, inconsistent, or outdated. By mandating a systematic review, this bill aims to alleviate the regulatory burden on businesses and improve the effectiveness of governance in California. Agencies are required to complete this review and report their findings by January 1, 2022, with provisions set to be repealed by January 1, 2023, unless extended by future legislation.
Notably, the legislation does not undermine existing human health, public welfare, or environmental protections, which is a concern raised by various advocacy groups. The provisions aim to reconcile the need for regulatory reform with public interest by ensuring that any revisions do not dilute vital protections already in place. The balance sought in AB312 between reducing regulatory redundancy and maintaining rigorous safeguards illustrates the complexities involved in regulatory reform.