State agencies urge changes as committee hears bill to time-limit administrative rules

Chairman Longyear convened the House Political Subdivisions Committee to hear House Bill 1434, a bill that would impose expirations on administrative rules and direct a review process tied to the governor's office.

Representative Emily O’Brien, who introduced the measure, said the bill is intended "to improve independent regulatory reviews" and to reduce burdens she described as "layers of red tape" that fall on businesses, workers and citizens. The bill would generally set a 10‑year expiration for a rule after its effective date and require the governor to notify agencies one year before a rule's expiration; the governor could exempt a rule or grant an extension, and agencies would submit reports to facilitate review.

Proponents framed the proposal as a way to remove dated or unused rules, move consistently used rules into statute where appropriate, and reduce internal agency policies that add bureaucracy. O’Brien told the committee she planned to work with the bill’s prime sponsor and with Legislative Counsel to refine process details and address concerns raised by agencies.

Multiple state officials testified in opposition or…