Bill Text: NY A05389 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Creates the division of regulatory review and economic growth to review regulatory processes and permit requirements in order to facilitate economic growth.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 19-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-03 - referred to governmental operations [A05389 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-A05389-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 5389 2023-2024 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY March 10, 2023 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. BARCLAY, NORRIS, PALMESANO, HAWLEY, BRABENEC, J. M. GIGLIO, WALSH, MILLER, MANKTELOW, JENSEN, GALLAHAN, DeSTEFANO, GOODELL, BLANKENBUSH, TAGUE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. K. BROWN, DiPIETRO, FRIEND -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations AN ACT to amend the executive law, the state administrative procedure act and the legislative law, in relation to the division of regulatory review and economic growth The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 43 to 2 read as follows: 3 ARTICLE 43 4 DIVISION OF REGULATORY REVIEW AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 5 Section 930. Definitions. 6 931. Division of regulatory review and economic growth. 7 932. General functions, powers and duties. 8 933. Assistance of other state agencies. 9 934. Regulation review. 10 935. Division annual recommendations. 11 936. Implementation of recommendations. 12 937. Cost of regulation study. 13 § 930. Definitions. When used in this article, the following terms 14 shall have the following meanings: 15 1. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the division of regulatory 16 review and economic growth. 17 2. "Division" means the division of regulatory review and economic 18 growth created by this article. 19 3. "Permit" shall mean the whole or part of any state agency permit, 20 license, certificate, approval, registration, charter, or similar form 21 of permission or authority required by law or by state agency rule EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD03794-01-3A. 5389 2 1 having the force and effect of law, which is required for a business 2 undertaking, project or activity; provided, however, it shall not mean 3 individual licenses for practicing a profession prescribed in title 4 eight of the education law, filings under the uniform commercial code, 5 or routine licenses and permits for individual privileges, including 6 licenses for operating a motor vehicle and amateur sporting licenses, 7 such as for hunting and fishing. 8 4. "Rule" means a rule as defined in subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) 9 of subdivision two of section one hundred two of the state administra- 10 tive procedure act, including rules of the workers' compensation board, 11 but does not include the rules of the state comptroller or attorney 12 general, rules regarding jurisdictional classifications pursuant to 13 subdivision one of section six of the civil service law, and the alter- 14 ation of hunting or fishing seasons pursuant to article eleven of the 15 environmental conservation law. 16 5. "State agency" means an agency as defined in subdivision one of 17 section one hundred two of the state administrative procedure act. 18 § 931. Division of regulatory review and economic growth. 1. There is 19 hereby created in the executive department the division of regulatory 20 review and economic growth. The head of the division shall be the 21 commissioner of the division who shall be appointed by the governor with 22 the consent of the senate and serve a term of five years. 23 2. The commissioner must have at least ten years of experience running 24 a for-profit business, with at least three years experience as the chief 25 executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, 26 president, owner, or any other title used for the highest ranking offi- 27 cer, administrator or manager of a for-profit business. 28 3. The commissioner shall be appointed by the governor within thirty 29 days of the effective date of this section and within thirty days of the 30 expiration of every five year term thereafter, and upon confirmation of 31 the senate shall serve a term of five years effective from the date of 32 confirmation. If the senate rejects an appointment, the governor shall 33 have thirty days from the date of the rejection to appoint another 34 commissioner. 35 4. The commissioner may only be removed from office by a felony 36 conviction or a crime involving a violation of his or her oath of office 37 or by the assent of two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of 38 the legislature voting separately. 39 5. Such commissioner shall receive an annual salary to be fixed by the 40 governor within the amount made available therefor by appropriation and 41 shall be allowed his or her actual and necessary expenses in the 42 performance of his or her duties. 43 6. Upon appointment and until such term expires, the commissioner 44 shall not (a) participate in any partisan political party activities, 45 except that such candidate may register to vote as a member of any poli- 46 tical party and may vote in any party primary for candidates for nomi- 47 nation of the party in which he or she is registered to vote; (b) 48 endorse any candidate or political party; or (c) make contributions to 49 any candidate, political party committee, political action committee or 50 political committee pursuant to subdivision ten of section 14-114 of the 51 election law. 52 7. The commissioner shall direct the work of the division and shall be 53 the chief executive officer of the division. The commissioner may enter 54 into contracts and expend money, and appoint such officers and employees 55 as he or she may deem necessary, prescribe their duties, fix their 56 compensation, and provide for the reimbursement of their expenses, allA. 5389 3 1 within amounts made available therefor by appropriation. Such staff 2 shall be management confidential employees with an understanding of 3 private sector business. 4 § 932. General functions, powers and duties. The division of regulato- 5 ry review and economic growth, by and through the commissioner or his or 6 her duly authorized officers and employees, shall have the following 7 functions, powers and duties: 8 1. To provide an oversight, review and analysis of the rules and regu- 9 latory processes of state agencies. 10 2. To make binding recommendations to the governor and legislature on 11 burdensome New York state codes, rules, regulations, regulatory proc- 12 esses, and permit requirements to eliminate or amend them, pursuant to 13 section nine hundred thirty-five of this article. 14 3. To review the environmental quality review process established 15 under article eight of the environmental conservation law and make 16 recommendations pursuant to subdivision two of this section to establish 17 a more efficient, predictable, timely, and transparent process, and to 18 ensure that the process does not stifle economic growth in New York 19 state. 20 4. To review permit requirements and the need by the state to require 21 such permits. The division shall make recommendations pursuant to subdi- 22 vision two of this section to eliminate, consolidate, simplify, expe- 23 dite, or otherwise improve permits, permit procedures, and paperwork 24 burdens affecting local governments, school districts or businesses. 25 5. To encourage and facilitate the participation of federal and local 26 government agencies in regulatory review. 27 6. To establish an 800 hotline and website to provide businesses with 28 one contact number to direct questions and to provide assistance to 29 businesses in the state or businesses looking to open or expand in New 30 York state. Such hotline may be used to report regulatory burdens, state 31 agencies overreaching their power, excessive fines and to submit 32 requests for regulatory review by the commissioner. 33 7. To adopt such rules and regulations, procedures, instructions, and 34 forms as are necessary or desirable to carry out the functions, powers, 35 and duties imposed upon the division by this article. 36 8. To publish an annual report, after January first and before Febru- 37 ary first, commencing two thousand twenty-five, including all recommen- 38 dations proposed by the division and those recommendations implemented 39 by the state during the prior calendar year. Such report shall include 40 specific details concerning estimated cost savings to the taxpayers from 41 proposed recommendations and actual cost savings to the taxpayers from 42 implemented recommendations. 43 § 933. Assistance of other state agencies. To effectuate the purposes 44 of this article, the commissioner may request and shall be entitled to 45 receive from any state agency, and the same are authorized to provide, 46 such assistance, services, facilities, and data as will enable the divi- 47 sion to carry out its functions, powers and duties. 48 § 934. Regulation review. 1. In developing a rule, each agency head 49 shall, prior to submitting a notice of proposed or revised rulemaking 50 for publication in the state register pursuant to section two hundred 51 two of the state administrative procedure act, submit to the commission- 52 er, in such form and manner as the commissioner may prescribe, the 53 complete text of the rule, any impact statements which would be required 54 by article two of the state administrative procedure act to propose the 55 rule, and any cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment and/or the resultsA. 5389 4 1 of a negotiated rulemaking or policy dialogue undertaken in conjunction 2 with the development of the rule. 3 2. The commissioner shall review the agency's submission to determine 4 whether it is complete and in accordance with the goals, criteria and 5 requirements of this article and article two of the state administrative 6 procedure act, including whether the rule: 7 (a) is clearly within the authority delegated by law; 8 (b) is consistent with and necessary to achieve a specific legislative 9 intent of promoting economic growth or protecting the health and safety 10 of the public; 11 (c) is consistent with state statutory requirements; 12 (d) does not impose a mandate on local governments, school districts 13 or businesses that is not fully funded, except as specifically required 14 by state statute; 15 (e) is clearly written so that its meaning will be easily understood 16 by those persons affected by it; 17 (f) does not unnecessarily duplicate or exceed existing federal or 18 state statutes or rules; 19 (g) prescribes methodologies or requirements that allow regulated 20 parties flexibility and encourage innovation in meeting the legislative 21 or administrative requirements and objectives underlying the rule; 22 (h) is based on credible assessments, using recognized standards, of 23 the degree and nature of the risks which may be regulated, including a 24 comparison with everyday risks familiar to the public; 25 (i) gives preference to the least costly, least burdensome regulatory 26 and paperwork requirements needed to accomplish legislative and adminis- 27 trative objectives; 28 (j) is based upon the best scientific, technical and economic informa- 29 tion that can reasonably and affordably be obtained; and 30 (k) if possible and practical, favors market-oriented solutions and 31 performance standards over command-and-control regulation. 32 3. If the commissioner determines that the submission is complete, 33 complies with the provisions of subdivision two of this section, will 34 promote economic growth, or is vital to protect the health and safety of 35 the public, the commissioner shall authorize the agency to submit the 36 rulemaking for publication in the state register pursuant to section two 37 hundred two of the state administrative procedure act. 38 4. If the commissioner determines the submission is not complete or 39 does not comply with the requirements of subdivision two of this 40 section, or is detrimental to economic growth in New York state, or is 41 not vital to protect the health and safety of the public, the commis- 42 sioner may reject the rule or return it to the agency, together with any 43 direction that the agency amend, prepare or revise the rule, any 44 supporting impact statements, cost benefit analysis, risk assessment, 45 and/or undertake a negotiated rulemaking or policy dialogue to develop a 46 rule for proposal. The division may assist the agency in developing a 47 proposal that meets the requirements of subdivision two of this section. 48 5. An agency may consult informally with the division regarding 49 proposed rules, supporting impact statements, and other documents at any 50 time prior to the submission of such materials pursuant to subdivision 51 one of this section. Such informal consultation shall not be binding on 52 the division or the agency. 53 6. No agency head shall submit a notice of proposed or revised rule- 54 making for publication in the state register pursuant to section two 55 hundred two of the state administrative procedure act, without express 56 approval by the commissioner. The commissioner, in his or her soleA. 5389 5 1 discretion, may reject any particular rule or category of rules he or 2 she determines is detrimental to economic growth in New York state, or 3 is not vital to protect the health and safety of the public. The divi- 4 sions shall promptly notify the agency of any such rejection. 5 § 935. Division annual recommendations. On or before January first, 6 two thousand twenty-four and annually thereafter, the division shall 7 transmit to the governor and the legislature a report containing its 8 recommendations, which shall include: 9 1. specific recommendations for repealing or amending New York state 10 codes, rules, regulations, regulatory processes, and permit requirements 11 as it deems necessary to lower costs for local governments, school 12 districts and businesses or promote economic growth; and 13 2. recommended dates by which such actions should occur. 14 § 936. Implementation of recommendations. 1. Notwithstanding any 15 contrary provision of law, rule or regulation related to the repeal or 16 amendment of any New York state codes, rules, regulations, regulatory 17 processes, and permit requirements identified in the division's recom- 18 mendations, the secretary of state shall take all actions necessary to 19 implement, in a reasonable, cost-efficient manner, the recommendations 20 of the division pursuant to section nine hundred thirty-five of this 21 article, including, but not limited to coordination with state agencies, 22 authorities, and other parties as the commissioner deems appropriate. 23 2. The provisions of subdivision one of this section shall not apply: 24 (a) unless the governor has transmitted the division's report under 25 section nine hundred thirty-five of this article with his or her written 26 approval of the recommendations of the division pursuant to section nine 27 hundred thirty-five of this article to the secretary of state and trans- 28 mitted a message to the legislature stating his or her approval or 29 rejection of the report within five days of receiving such report; and 30 (b) if a majority of the members of each house of the legislature vote 31 to adopt a concurrent resolution rejecting the recommendations of the 32 division pursuant to section nine hundred thirty-five of this article in 33 their entirety within sixty days, after receiving a message from the 34 governor under this subdivision. In no event shall the secretary of 35 state begin to implement the recommendations of the division pursuant to 36 section nine hundred thirty-five of this article prior to the expiration 37 of the legislature's sixty day review period. 38 § 937. Cost of regulation study. 1. The commissioner is hereby author- 39 ized and directed to prepare or have prepared a comprehensive study to 40 measure and report the cost of regulations to businesses throughout the 41 state of New York. 42 2. Such study shall be completed within eighteen months of the effec- 43 tive date of the chapter of the laws of two thousand twenty-three which 44 added this article. 45 § 2. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 6-a of section 202 of the state 46 administrative procedure act, as amended by chapter 512 of the laws of 47 2019, is amended to read as follows: 48 (a) An agency shall transmit a copy of any rule making notice prepared 49 pursuant to this article and approved by the commissioner of the divi- 50 sion of regulatory review and economic growth pursuant to article 51 forty-three of the executive law to the governor, the temporary presi- 52 dent of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of 53 the senate, the minority leader of the assembly and the administrative 54 regulations review commission at the time such notice is submitted to 55 the secretary of state for publication in the state register. Such tran- 56 smittal shall include the complete rule text, regulatory impact state-A. 5389 6 1 ment, regulatory flexibility analysis, rural area flexibility analysis, 2 or revisions thereof, and any other information submitted to the secre- 3 tary of state pursuant to this article. Furthermore, such transmittal 4 may be completed by electronic means in accordance with article three of 5 the state technology law. 6 § 3. Section 86 of the legislative law, as added by chapter 689 of the 7 laws of 1978, is amended to read as follows: 8 § 86. Administrative regulations review commission. There is hereby 9 created an administrative regulations review commission to consist of 10 two members of the senate to be appointed by the temporary president of 11 the senate, two members of the assembly to be appointed by the speaker 12 of the assembly, [one member] two members of the senate to be appointed 13 by the minority leader of the senate and [one member] two members of the 14 assembly to be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly. The 15 temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly shall 16 each appoint a co-chairman from among the commission membership. Any 17 vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appoint- 18 ment. Such appointees shall serve at the pleasure of the respective 19 legislative member making such appointment. 20 § 4. Section 87 of the legislative law, as added by chapter 689 of the 21 laws of 1978 and subdivision 4 as added by chapter 512 of the laws of 22 2019, is amended to read as follows: 23 § 87. Powers and duties. 1. The commission shall exercise continuous 24 oversight of the process of rule making and examine rules, as defined in 25 subdivision two of section one hundred two of the state administrative 26 procedure act, adopted or proposed by each agency with respect to (i) 27 statutory authority, (ii) compliance with legislative intent, (iii) 28 impact on the economy and on the government operations of the state and 29 its local governments, and (iv) impact on affected parties; and, in 30 furtherance of such duties, may examine other issues it deems appropri- 31 ate. For purpose of this article, the term agency shall mean any depart- 32 ment, board, bureau, commission, division, office, council, committee or 33 officer of the state or a public benefit corporation or public authority 34 at least one of whose members is appointed by the governor. 35 2. The commission shall review any legislation requiring a commission- 36 er or agency as defined by subdivision one of section one hundred two of 37 the state administrative procedure act, to promulgate any codes, rules 38 and regulations necessary for the implementation and make recommenda- 39 tions to the members of the legislature. Such recommendations should 40 include the commission's approval if the legislation is deemed necessary 41 to protect the health and safety of the public or the commission's 42 disapproval if such legislation is deemed detrimental to economic growth 43 in New York state, or is not vital to protect the health and safety of 44 the public. 45 3. The commission shall review New York state laws that result in the 46 promulgation of codes, rules or regulations by a commissioner or agency 47 as defined by subdivision one of section one hundred two of the state 48 administrative procedure act, or any laws the commission deems a regula- 49 tory burden on local governments, school districts or businesses and 50 make recommendations to the members of the legislature. Such recommenda- 51 tions should include the commission's request for the repeal of laws it 52 deems increase costs for local governments, school districts or busi- 53 nesses or are detrimental to economic growth in New York state, or are 54 not vital to protect the health and safety of the public. 55 4. The commission may employ such staff and retain such consultants 56 and expert services as may be necessary and fix their compensation andA. 5389 7 1 expenses within the amounts appropriated therefor. Employment by the 2 commission shall be deemed to be employment by the legislature for all 3 purposes. 4 [3] 5. The commission shall have the power, subject to the provisions 5 of section seventy-three of the civil rights law, to hold hearings, 6 subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and compel the 7 production of books, papers, documents and other evidence in furtherance 8 of its duties; provided, however, that no subpoena shall issue except 9 upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole membership of the 10 commission. The commission may request and shall receive from all agen- 11 cies such assistance and data as will enable it properly to consummate 12 any such examination, and review. 13 [4.] 6. The commission shall be authorized to request and receive, 14 from a state agency, all rulemaking notices, statements and analyses as 15 provided for pursuant to the state administrative procedure act, data, 16 rules, regulations and other information by electronic means as provided 17 for by article three of the state technology law. 18 § 5. Section 88 of the legislative law, as amended by chapter 850 of 19 the laws of 1990, is amended to read as follows: 20 § 88. Reports. The commission shall, [from time to time] annually, 21 report its findings and recommendations to the governor, the temporary 22 president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly, the minority 23 leader of the senate, the minority leader of the assembly, and to the 24 members of the legislature, and may at any time make recommendations to 25 the division of regulatory review and economic growth and an agency 26 based upon its review of that agency's rule making process, or any of 27 the agency's proposed, revised or adopted rules. 28 § 6. The legislative law is amended by adding a new section 88-a to 29 read as follows: 30 § 88-a. Regulatory Wednesdays. 1. Every Wednesday, which is a sched- 31 uled session day for the legislature in every week beginning with a 32 scheduled session day on Monday, shall be deemed regulatory Wednesday. 33 The commission shall be required to meet on every regulatory Wednesday 34 to perform its powers and duties pursuant to section eighty-seven of 35 this article. 36 2. On every regulatory Wednesday, the senate and assembly shall take 37 up any bills on any order of third reading that are before each respec- 38 tive house for final disposition, that have gained the approval of the 39 commission prior to taking up any other bill on any order of third read- 40 ing, unless such action is waived, without debate, upon a majority vote 41 of the members present. 42 § 7. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi- 43 sion, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of 44 competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, 45 impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in 46 its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section 47 or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg- 48 ment shall have been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of 49 the legislature that this act would have been enacted even if such 50 invalid provisions had not been included herein. 51 § 8. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after 52 it shall have become a law and shall apply to rules and revised rules to 53 be submitted for publication in the state register on and after such 54 date.
