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Senator urges study of outdated laws to remove conflict and ease burdens on citizens
Summary
Senate Concurrent Resolution 40 25 would direct Legislative Management to study state laws to identify outdated, unnecessary, or burdensome statutes; sponsor said the review could reduce litigation and confusion caused by conflicting laws.
Senator Jeff Grama introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 40 25, asking Legislative Management to study state laws to identify those that are outdated, unnecessary, or impose undue burdens on the state and citizens, and to report back to the legislature.
Grama said the legislative council staff could be tasked with reviewing statutes and recommending removals or fixes and that the work would help ‘‘decrease suffering’’ and simplify government. He cited examples of obscure or obsolete laws that have been removed in past sessions and said a systematic review could uncover conflicts and reduce litigation.
A committee member raised whether the study could inadvertently derail needed substantive law changes; Grama said he expected the study to be helpful, noting an example where conflicting pipeline jurisdiction statutes had contributed to litigation between counties and the Public Service Commission.
Grama argued that clearing conflicting or obsolete statutes would also reduce pressure on judges and legal staff who must parse multiple laws when cases arise. He said the legislative council and its director would determine how to carry out the work under Legislative Management direction.
No testimony in opposition was recorded and the committee closed the hearing on SCR 40 25. Grama said the study could be a practical assignment for newly hired legislative council staff and might be continued in future sessions if found useful.
