DE HB286

Requires all State agencies to hold public hearings on all proposed regulatory changes, except for emergency regulations under §10119 and those presently exempted under §10113 of the Administrative Procedures Act.

Mandates that public hearings be scheduled at least 20 days after notice is published in the Register of Regulations and that notice of the hearing time, date, and place be published in at least 2 Delaware newspapers of general circulation.

Establishes that agencies or designated subordinates conducting hearings may issue subpoenas, administer oaths to witnesses, and exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitive evidence and testimony.

Requires a verbatim transcript record to be made of all hearings, with the person requesting the transcript bearing the expense of its preparation.

Allows agencies to hold monthly meetings to consider proposed regulations using existing staff and facilities to mitigate costs.