Senate approves 'red tape' rollback bill, sparking debate over agency oversight and small-business relief

The Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill 28, a package of rulemaking changes dubbed the Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025, after extended debate and an amendment to limit requests for small-business reviews. Sponsor Senator Dolezal introduced the measure and secured final passage by a 33–22 vote.

The bill requires agencies to perform regular rule reviews every four years, creates a process for small-business impact analyses when requested, and requires an economic impact analysis for administrative rules projected to cost $1 million or more over five years. It also changes how the legislature may object to agency rules and adds a ratification step for certain high-cost rules. "This is the Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025," Senator Dolezal said on the floor, urging colleagues to support what he described as accountability and oversight for agency rulemaking.

Advocates said the changes will help small businesses and increase legislative oversight. The bill raises the statutory small-business employee threshold considered by agencies from prior practice (commonly cited as 100 employees) to 300 employees, widens public input pathways during agency reviews, and—by some sponsors' design—encourages agencies to seek less-costly compliance approaches for affected businesses.

Opponents, led in debate by the senator delivering the Senate minority report, said the measure risks further burdening already understaffed agencies and could reduce service and responsiveness to constituents. "Our agencies are not crippled by rules. They are crippled by our lack of funding," the senator said during the floor debate, arguing the bill would add tasks and paperwork to agencies with existing staffing and budget shortfalls.

Lawmakers debated practical details at length. The Senate adopted Amendment 1 (as offered on the floor) to limit the number of small-business impact analysis requests a nonchair member could request while the General Assembly was out of session to three; the amendment passed on a 32–22 recorded vote. The committee substitute as amended was then adopted and the Senate agreed to the passage of the bill by a recorded vote of 33–22.

Supporters pointed to similar laws in other states and at the federal-level proposals (often called REINS-type reforms) as precedents. Opponents warned of unintended consequences, including shifting rule scrutiny into partisan legislative fights and creating new administrative burdens without addressing agency funding.

Votes at a glance

- Senate Bill 28 (Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025): Amendment 1 adopted 32–22; bill passed 33–22. - Senate Bill 13 (GEFA natural gas financing authority): passed, yeas 42, nays 11. - Senate Bill 72 (Right-to-try investigational treatments, committee substitute): passed 56–0. - Senate Bill 125 (engineering licensure timing changes): passed 56–0.

The bill now moves to the next step required by law for enactment. Sponsors said the legislation is intended to be a regular check on administrative rule growth; critics said staffing and funding constraints must be resolved first to avoid harming public services.

Ending: The Senate concluded floor action on the measure and completed other routine business for the day; lawmakers scheduled committee meetings and the chamber adjourned until the next session day.