The bill specifically modifies the public hearing process mandated for agencies assigned to promulgate regulations. It suggests that a public hearing should be held to gather a variety of views, and that these sessions must include a comprehensive narrative preamble, text of the regulation, statutory authority, any preliminary fiscal impact statement, and a detailed analysis of the justification for each proposed regulation. This is poised to ensure that regulations are developed with substantial input from both the public and business sectors, potentially reducing conflicts and enhancing compliance with state laws.
Summary
S0445 aims to amend various sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws related to the procedures for the publication of notice regarding proposed regulations, thereby enhancing public participation in the regulatory process. It introduces mechanisms for the Small Business Regulatory Review Committee to consider all written and oral submissions related to proposed regulations, ensuring that interests of the business community are represented in the regulatory framework. This alteration is intended to streamline communication between regulatory agencies and stakeholders, facilitating a more inclusive approach to law-making.
Contention
A notable point of contention in S0445 is the provision that prohibits the inclusion of verbatim statutory text within regulations. While supporters argue that this will prevent redundancy and streamline the regulatory framework, opponents claim it could lead to confusion and lack of clarity about regulatory expectations and compliance. The bill also expands the membership of the Small Business Regulatory Review Committee to include agribusiness representation, which could impact the formulation of regulations affecting this sector specifically, raising concerns about possible biases in regulatory decisions.
Further providing for definitions, for proposed regulations and procedures for review, for final-form regulations and final-omitted regulations and procedures for review, for procedures for subsequent review of disapproved final-form or final-omitted regulations, for existing regulations and for regulations, annual reports, hearings and advisory group meetings.