Regulation Review Committee approves gas-pipeline safety rule, advances appraisal-exam changes and rejects two cannabis regulations

At a Tuesday meeting of the Legislative Regulation Review Committee, members approved a Public Utilities Regulatory Authority proposal on gas pipeline safety standards, agreed to accept appraisal-exam qualification changes with technical corrections and a hold, and voted to reject without prejudice two Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) cannabis regulations covering palliative and adult use.

The actions affect rules from two agencies and resolve four docketed proposals that the committee had on its agenda. Committee members said the votes reflected an intent to correct drafting issues before regulations advance to final publication or further agency revision.

For proposed regulation 2024-011a from the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority concerning gas pipeline safety standards, the committee voted to accept the Legislative Commissioners' Office (LCO) recommendation of approval in whole with technical corrections. The motion was moved by Senator Kissel and seconded by Representative Whitlander. A roll call recorded affirmative votes from the members present; the committee chair then moved on to the next agenda item.

On proposed regulation 2025-013a from the Department of Consumer Protection regarding appraisal exam qualifications, the committee moved to accept the LCO recommendation of approval and to hold the regulation pending technical corrections. The motion was moved by Senator Kissel and seconded by Representative Whitlander. Committee members indicated a technical “hold” during the roll call, and the chair closed the item after votes were recorded.

The committee rejected without prejudice proposed regulation 2025-019a from the Department of Consumer Protection on palliative use of marijuana. Senator Kissel made the motion to reject, which Representative Godfrey seconded. During discussion, Senator Kissel acknowledged the effort agencies and staff have put into drafting rules and encouraged continued collaboration: “I don't want DCP to get discouraged, but we just have to make sure all the i's are dotted and t's are crossed.” The roll call approved the LCO recommendation of rejection without prejudice.

Committee members also voted to reject without prejudice proposed regulation 2025-020a from the Department of Consumer Protection on adult use cannabis. The motion was moved and seconded; the roll call accepted the LCO recommendation of rejection without prejudice.

Committee leadership thanked agency staff and LCO attorneys for their work on the drafts and closed the meeting after recording the votes. Members noted the session is in a compressed period and urged attention to technical detail before regulations return for further consideration.

Ending: The committee adjourned after recording votes on the four docketed items.