Rhode Island Senate Bill S2714

Rhode Island 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/17/22
• Refer: 3/17/22

Caption

Administrative Procedures -- Rules

Impact

The impact of S2714 on state laws is significant as it centralizes authority concerning administrative rule approval with the legislature. By ensuring that all agency rules are subject to General Assembly action, the bill promotes a more inclusive and democratic process in rulemaking. This modification is expected to lead to increased accountability in how state laws are implemented and enforced, while also encouraging agencies to better consider public input during the rulemaking process.

Summary

S2714 is a legislative act pertaining to administrative procedures and the issuance of rules by state agencies. Introduced by Senator Michael J. McCaffrey, the bill amends Section 42-35-4 of the General Laws to mandate that any final rules promulgated by agencies must receive approval from the General Assembly before becoming effective. This act is designed to enhance oversight of the rulemaking process, which aims to better align agency rules with legislative intent and ensure that the public has a say in administrative governance.

Conclusion

Ultimately, S2714 aims to strike a balance between agency autonomy in rulemaking and legislative oversight. This bill signifies an important step towards enhancing the integrity of the administrative procedures by mandating that essential checks and balances are firmly in place, even if that leads to potential delays in the implementation of rules that may need urgent attention.

Contention

While proponents argue that S2714 will improve transparency and accountability, some critics express concerns that this additional layer of oversight could slow down the implementation of necessary regulations. They worry that requiring legislative approval could create bottlenecks in the rulemaking process, hindering agencies from responding swiftly to emerging issues or public needs. Critics also argue that this could diminish the efficiency of agency operations, as the dynamic nature of some regulatory issues may require more agile responses than the legislative process allows.