Connecticut House Bill HB06151

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/17
• Refer: 1/20/17

Caption

An Act Permitting Businesses To Seek A Declaratory Ruling Regarding Regulations.

Impact

By allowing businesses to seek declaratory rulings, the bill aims to alleviate some of the apprehensions that arise from the ambiguity surrounding the application of regulations by state agencies. This could potentially lead to more transparency in the regulatory framework governing businesses, fostering an environment where businesses feel more secure in their operations. Proponents of the bill argue that this capability would empower businesses by giving them a mechanism to challenge regulations that they perceive as unjust or improperly applied, promoting fair treatment under the law.

Summary

House Bill 06151 is an act that proposes to amend Section 4-176 of the general statutes to permit businesses to seek a declaratory ruling from the office of the Attorney General in instances where there is a bona fide dispute concerning the application of state agency regulations. The purpose of this bill is to provide businesses with a clear pathway to resolve conflicts with state regulatory practices, thereby ensuring that businesses can operate with certainty regarding the regulations that affect them.

Contention

Notably, the bill may face opposition based on concerns that it could disproportionately favor businesses over the regulatory objectives meant to protect public interests. Critics might argue that it could lead to an overreliance on the Attorney General's office for disputes that should be resolved within the regulatory framework, potentially clogging the legal processes and undermining the intent of the regulations themselves. Furthermore, there could be questions regarding the resources required for the Attorney General's office to handle the influx of declaratory requests from businesses.