Committee hears bill to create regulatory "sandbox" and new Regulatory Relief Division in attorney general's office

House Bill 2291 would establish a Regulatory Relief Division in the office of the attorney general to administer a general regulatory "sandbox," a temporary testing framework that could waive some certification or registration requirements so businesses can pilot new products or services without immediately meeting all statutory or administrative requirements.

Steph, a staff member who presented the bill, said, "House bill 2,291 would establish a regulatory relief division within the office of the attorney general to administer and support the general regulatory sandbox program." She described a director appointed by the attorney general, a small initial staff limit of one full-time and one part-time employee unless the legislature appropriates more, and an 11-member advisory committee to advise on applications.

The bill would allow participants to demonstrate innovative offerings for a limited period while maintaining certain consumer protections. "The program would allow businesses to demonstrate innovative offerings without obtaining the otherwise required certification or registration required by state law," Steph said. She added that the bill explicitly would not permit waivers of federal or state licensing requirements, or waivers of taxes administered under "chapter 79," and would prohibit waivers related to alcoholic beverages.

Proponents said sandboxes give…