DE HB471

Increases notice period for public hearings from 20 days to 30 days following publication in the Register of Regulations.

Adds requirement that notice include an email address for submitting comments and guarantees each hearing attendee at least 5 minutes to speak, with hearing extension or rescheduling if needed to accommodate all speakers.

Reduces timeline for adopting regulations from 12 months to 3 months after public comment period ends, and extends judicial review deadline from 30 days to 60 days for filing complaints.

Restricts emergency regulations to situations involving immediate and substantial risk of irreparable harm to public health or safety, prohibits adoption of substantially similar regulations previously invalidated by court, and requires detailed written explanation of emergency justification.

Provides automatic stay of regulation enforcement when timely judicial review action is brought and requires agencies to reimburse successful complainants for reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.