Texas House Bill HB2956

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the provision of notice of proposed rules by state agencies.

Impact

The implications of HB2956 are significant for state governance, as it shifts the procedural norms for how state agencies communicate about rule-making. By mandating that notifications be sent directly to legislative sponsors within a specific timeframe, the bill encourages greater interaction between the legislature and state agencies. This could lead to more informed decision-making, potentially allowing legislators to address community concerns or contested issues before rules are finalized.

Summary

House Bill 2956 seeks to amend provisions within the Government Code pertaining to the notification process for proposed rules by state agencies. Under this bill, state agencies are required to provide notification to each primary author or sponsor of legislation that enacted the statutory authority for the proposed rule, provided they are current members of the legislature. This change aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the rule-making process, ensuring that legislative sponsors are informed of proposed regulations that arise from their laws.

Contention

While proponents argue that the bill will foster a more integrated government approach, facilitating better oversight of agency actions, critics may view it as an additional step in bureaucratic red tape. Concerns may arise regarding the practicality of the notification requirement and whether it could slow down the rule adoption process. Moreover, there is debate over the scope of which rules require such notice, particularly those that might be more routine or non-controversial in nature.