Committee advances Regulatory Freedom Act requiring private-sector fiscal-impact notes for major rules

Senate Bill 2199, labeled by its sponsor as the Regulatory Freedom Act of 2026, cleared the State and Local Government Committee after a contentious discussion about how and when agencies’ rulemaking should be reviewed.

Sponsor Senator Lowe described the bill as adding private‑sector fiscal-impact statements to the rule-review process and said it would trigger separate legislative consideration when a rule’s cost to an industry exceeds $1,000,000. "As amended, it's the Regulatory Freedom Act of 2026," the sponsor said, adding the measure would provide "data added" to better understand effects on businesses.

Opponents warned the bill could allow the legislature effectively to veto implementation of rules by taking a second vote on regulations after agencies adopt them. Senator Yarbrough pressed the point that the bill "gives people like a second bite at the apple," arguing it could delay or undo rules implementing previously passed legislation. The sponsor and other backers said emergency rules remain available and described the change as simply adding information for lawmakers.

After debate the committee moved the bill forward on a 7–2 vote. The clerk recorded the tally as seven ayes and two noes; the committee chair declared SB2199 passes and will go to the calendar. The committee record shows the primary outcome is committee passage; no floor action occurred at this hearing.