Agency operations; procedures for federal rule and regulation review. Emergency.
Impact
A significant aspect of SB22 is the empowerment of the state legislature to disapprove the implementation of any federal regulations affecting a state agency through a joint resolution. This change could fundamentally alter the relationship between state and federal governance, allowing Oklahoma's lawmakers to effectively veto federal regulations that they consider undesirable. If disapproved, state agencies cannot adhere to these federal rules unless specifically authorized by the Legislature, which may limit compliance flexibility for certain federal mandates affecting state operations.
Summary
Senate Bill 22, introduced by Senator Dahm, establishes procedures governing how state agencies in Oklahoma must handle new or revised federal rules and regulations. The bill mandates that any federal requirement received by an agency must be communicated to all members of the Legislature and the Governor via electronic means. This provision is aimed at ensuring legislative oversight and enabling the legislature to be proactive in addressing federal regulations that might affect state agencies.
Contention
The potential for contention arises from the ramifications of allowing the Legislature to disapprove federally mandated regulations. Critics might argue that this undermines the authority of federal law and poses risks to critical protections provided under federal statutes. Proponents of the bill may counter that it enhances local sovereignty and enables state legislative bodies to better reflect the interests of their constituents. The bill includes an emergency clause, indicating urgency and emphasizing its potential impact on ongoing or imminent federal requirements that could affect state agency operations.