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Committee backs bill requiring governor sign-off before agencies declare emergencies
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Summary
A State Government committee voted to report HB136 favorably after President Pringle said some licensing boards have self-declared emergencies to issue emergency rules; the bill would require a governor’s written certification of a health or safety emergency before agencies may invoke emergency procedures.
President Pringle told the State Government committee that HB136 aims to curb what he described as agencies and licensing boards self-declaring emergencies to issue emergency rules and extend contracts without proper oversight. "I'm sorry, but 6 years running is not an emergency," Pringle said, describing instances where emergency contracts and rulemaking were stretched for multiple years.
The bill would require the governor to provide a written letter certifying that a health or safety emergency exists before an executive-branch agency or licensing board could invoke emergency contracting or emergency rulemaking. Pringle framed the change as a separation-of-powers and transparency measure to prevent agencies from circumventing regular review processes.
Representative Shaw moved to report the bill favorably and Representative Kirkland seconded; the committee approved the motion on a voice vote and the bill received a favorable report.
The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; action on HB136 was by voice vote and the bill was reported favorably. The committee did not identify a statute number or specific code section in the discussion.
