Administrative Procedures Act; revise to require repeal of certain agency rules after certain time.
Note
Overall, while House Bill 1183 seeks to enhance oversight and accountability for agency rules in Mississippi, it entails a careful balancing act between reducing regulatory burdens and ensuring that necessary protections remain in force.
Impact
This bill will significantly alter the landscape of agency regulations in Mississippi, pushing agencies to conduct evaluations of their rules every five years. Such changes are expected to limit the lifespan of economically impactful rules, requiring agencies to justify their continued existence every few years. This could foster a more dynamic and responsive regulatory environment but may also lead to regulatory uncertainty for businesses reliant on stable rules. Moreover, it brings a formal procedure for economic impact analysis, potentially streamlining regulations that are deemed outdated or excessively burdensome.
Summary
House Bill 1183 proposes amendments to the Mississippi Code related to the review and expiration of agency rules that have a significant economic impact. Specifically, it mandates that all such rules adopted before July 1, 2025, must expire by July 1, 2030. For rules adopted after this date, they are subject to expiration within five years of their effective date. The bill aims to increase government accountability and transparency by ensuring that rules are regularly reviewed, particularly those costing over one million dollars annually to enforce or comply with.
Contention
The bill's proponents argue that it will help reduce regulatory burdens and ensure that outdated rules do not hinder economic growth. Critics, however, may view it as an attempt to reduce necessary regulations that protect health and safety, particularly if significant economic impacts are assessed conservatively. The definition of 'significant economic impact' within the bill ties directly to the cost threshold, which could spark debates about how costs are calculated and the implications of such calculations on the rules governing the public welfare.