Arizona House Bill HB2276

Arizona 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/25

Caption

Legislative ratification; rulemaking; regulatory costs

Impact

If enacted, HB 2276 will significantly affect the Arizona Revised Statutes by adding a new section to Title 41, which governs state government regulations. The bill aims to prevent potentially burdensome regulations from being enacted without thorough evaluation and approval by the legislative body. This could lead to increased scrutiny and deliberation regarding state agencies' proposed regulatory changes, ensuring that financial impacts are carefully assessed before new rules are put into effect.

Summary

House Bill 2276 pertains to legislative ratification of proposed rulemaking that entails significant regulatory costs. The bill mandates that any proposed rule anticipated to increase regulatory costs by over $100,000 within five years must be submitted for review to the Office of Economic Opportunity. Should the proposed rule be calculated to add costs exceeding $500,000, it cannot take effect unless the legislature explicitly ratifies it through legislative action. This provision aims to enhance oversight and ensure that significant financial implications stemming from regulations are considered by the legislature.

Contention

The bill has sparked discussions around the effectiveness and necessity of additional legislative oversight in rulemaking. Proponents argue that it will safeguard against unfunded mandates and unexpected bureaucracy which could arise from new regulations. Conversely, critics may view it as an impediment to necessary regulatory actions, suggesting that it could slow down the rulemaking process excessively. This dichotomy highlights the tension between regulatory efficiency and the benefits of robust legislative scrutiny.