Bill aimed at aiding PA economy passed by State Senate

Legislation requiring a one-time review of resolutions with economic significance was passed last week by the Pennsylvania Senate. 

Senate Bill 190 was sponsored by Sen. Michelle Brooks, R-Crawford/Lawrence/Mercer. 

“My bill cuts government red tape that hurts Pennsylvania’s employers, farmers, and local governments,” Brooks said in a statement. “With this change, we could see a statewide benefit from job growth and a boost to our economy.” 

The bill advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. 

Regulations with an economic impact or cost to the state, to its political subdivisions, and to the private sector exceeding $1 million annually would, under Bill 190, be reviewed for their effectiveness, efficiency, and need three years following implementation. 

The agency with the regulation must review it after three years and report to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) the following findings: 

• Status of implementation. 
• Effectiveness and efficiency of the regulation, along with steps taken to increase efficiency in implementation. 

• Direct and indirect cost of regulation, and whether the fiscal impact was over-or under-estimated, along with the nature of public comments on the regulation. 
• Whether Pennsylvania’s current laws require the repeal or amendment of the regulation. 
• If the agency with the regulation is considering changing the regulation, and whether the regulation is still required. 

Public comments about the submitted report would be collected by the IRRC for at least 30 days. IRRC would determine within 30 days of the end of the public comment period whether the regulation remains in the public interest and whether statutory changes should be considered. 

The one-time automatic review would help protect businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, and individuals from costly regulations and hold state regulators accountable.