Committee advances bill to add private-sector fiscal-impact reviews for state rules

Chairman Briggs’ State and Local Government Committee advanced SB 21-99 after debate over how the proposal would change review of agency rules.

Senator Lowe, the bill sponsor, said the measure adds "fiscal impact notes" that estimate costs to private industry and directs that rules imposing more than $1,000,000 in private-sector costs be considered independently. "We're gonna try to get that information as best we can," he said, arguing the change would bring private-sector data into the rule-review process.

Senator Yarbrough and others raised procedural and policy concerns, asking whether the bill would give the Legislature a second chance to block regulations implementing laws it previously passed. Yarbrough warned it could require the full chamber’s approval to enact routine rulemaking and might favor well-resourced interests. Lowe responded that the intent is to add information to existing review channels, not to overturn legislative intent.

Legal counsel told the committee he had not reviewed the amended draft that traveled with the bill and could not identify language that would force rule repeals. After closing remarks and a roll-call vote, the committee recorded seven ayes and two nos; SB 21-99 passed and will be placed on the calendar for further action.

What happens next: the bill will be scheduled on the Senate calendar; sponsors said they will clarify language and ensure coordination with Government Operations review if questions about scope remain.