HB663--JUDICIALREVIEWOFSTATEAGENCIESDETERMINATIONS
SPONSOR: Keathley
COMMITTEEACTION:Voted"DoPass"bytheStandingCommitteeon
Judiciarybyavoteof12to0.
Thisbillrepealsaprovisionrelatedtojudicialreviewofactions
bystateagencies. Thebillrequiresacourtorofficerhearingan
administrative actiontoreviewthemeaningandeffectofa
statute,rule,regulation,orothersubregulatorydocumentdenovo
ratherthanrelyingonastateagency'sinterpretation ofthe
statute,rule,regulation,orotherdocument. Inanactionbrought
byoragainstastateagency,thecourtorofficerhearingthe
administrative action,afterapplyingcustomarytoolsof
interpretation, mustdecideanyremainingdoubtinfavorofa
reasonableinterpretation thatlimitsagencypowerandmaximizes
individualliberty.
PROPONENTS: Supporterssaythatthisbillaimstomodifythe
standardofjudicialreviewconcerningstateagencies'
interpretations ofstatutes,rules,andregulations. Thisbill
wouldrequirethecourtstoreviewthesecasesanewwithout
deferringtostateagencies'priorinterpretations, andany
remainingdoubtwouldhavetobeinterpretedtolimitagencypower.
Itseekstoeliminatejudicialdeference,therebyreinforcingthe
separationofpowersbyinsuringthatcourtsindependently
interpretlaws.Relyingonagencyinterpretation grantsexcessive
powertounelectedbureaucrats. Courtsshouldnotjustdeferto
agencieswhenthereisambiguity.
TestifyinginpersonforthebillwereRepresentative Keathley;
PacificLegalFoundation;AssociatedIndustriesofMissouri;
AmericansForProsperity;andArnieDienhoff.
OPPONENTS: Therewasnooppositionvoicedtothecommittee.
Writtentestimonyhasbeensubmittedforthisbill.Thefull
writtentestimonyandwitnessestestifyingonlinecanbefound
underTestimonyonthebillpageontheHousewebsite.