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Senate committee advances bill to create online, searchable database of state rules
Summary
The committee passed House Bill 1429 to require the Bureau of Legislative Research to compile state rules into a uniform, searchable online database; proponents said no new recurring funds are requested but BLR would need additional staff for codification and maintenance.
House Bill 1429, which the Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee voted to pass, would require the Bureau of Legislative Research (BLR) to compile state agency rules into a single, uniform, searchable online database intended to make it easier for businesses and residents to find the rules that govern them. Jonathan Disming, who presented the bill to the committee, said, "what this bill does is actually set up that mechanism, by establishing a database inside the Bureau of Legislative Research where it would be searchable and people could go and figure out what actually did apply to them."
Supporters told the committee the bill does not request new ongoing operating money but does include an appropriation for additional staff positions to manage the database and the codification process. Representative Dodson said the measure would provide "a uniform, consistent codification of the rules across all of state government so different agencies wouldn't have different numbering systems," making the rules searchable and transparent.
Committee members pressed presenters on costs and staffing needs. Committee testimony estimated initial software implementation costs around $150,000 and yearly maintenance of roughly $10,000–$12,000; presenters said the larger recurring cost would be staff — BLR has requested roughly six additional attorneys and editors to perform code revision work, with a rough annual staffing cost estimate between $600,000 and $1,000,000 depending on final staffing choices. Presenters emphasized the bill would be implemented over several years to dovetail with an ongoing government transformation effort.
A senator asked why the Secretary of State could omit certain rules from the printed Arkansas Register; presenters clarified the register is separate from the proposed online database and that the register could link to the online database instead of reprinting lengthy entries.
The committee moved to pass HB 1429 and voted in favor. The bill will proceed from the committee as passed.
