Subcommittee hears bill to put state regulations on a four‑year review cycle

Chairman Hilton presented House Bill 1078 (LC 590265) to create a four‑year cycle for regulatory review overseen by the Office of Planning and Budget. The bill would require agencies to inventory regulatory requirements, report the statutory authority for rules and publish notice of reviews. It includes an incentive: agencies that cut 10% of their regulatory requirements during their review period would be exempt from the next cycle.

In committee, Hilton emphasized transparency, noting Georgia’s growing regulatory code and the value of periodic reviews. Representative Sanchez asked whether the governor or the legislature has a role post‑review; Hilton said reports would be published and that rules with no significant objections would be re‑promulgated, and that legislative oversight remains possible. Committee members also questioned administrative costs and requested examples of regulations that should be cut; the sponsor said examples exist and offered to provide them.

Witnesses including Tony West of Americans for Prosperity Georgia and Kennedy Atkins of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation testified in support, calling the process a modernization and an opportunity for public input. The committee treated HB 1078 as a hearing‑only item and invited further technical work.