Resources committee to begin rule reviews, starting with fish and game rules

Vice Chairman Shepherd told the Resources and Conservation Committee that it will begin reviewing administrative rules next week and that the committee will start with fish and game rules.

Shepherd said he plans to slow the process compared with prior years so members have time to review the substance and consequences of proposed rules. "It was my experience as a freshman that we just blew through them... rules have the same application as law," he said, and warned that rushing could produce unintended consequences: "If we were gonna just pass laws, like that upon the floor this state would be a disaster. We'd look like California." He said he intends to "slow way down on the process, making sure we're being thorough" so members have a chance to raise concerns.

Shepherd asked members to review the fish and game rule text in advance, specifically directing attention to the bottom of page 10 where text appears in red; he described that passage as "a perfect example" of language that appears harmless but could have "wide reaching consequences." The committee will also require agencies that report to it to provide performance reviews of how they are meeting their statutory charges at the same time the rules are considered.

Shepherd said Ryan Bush will appear on the 21st to explain the rule process and answer members' questions. Committee staff also posted two agency reports to the committee OneDrive before the meeting: the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) annual report and the Rangeland Resources Commission annual report. The committee scheduled rule review sessions for the coming week and indicated some hearings may fall on Tuesday and Thursday.

No formal action was taken on rule changes at this meeting; Shepherd said detailed questions will be reserved for the formal rule hearings and bill hearings when applicable.