Summary

• Requires agencies to submit biennial reports (by December 1 of odd-numbered years, starting 2015) identifying obsolete, unnecessary, or duplicative rules and providing repeal timelines or legislative proposals.

• Increases the threshold for triggering a mandatory public hearing from 25 to 50 written requests and modifies hearing request requirements to include specific reasons for objections.

• Establishes new expedited rulemaking process (section 14.389) for rules implementing specific statutes, incorporating federal/state codes, conforming to federal law changes, or repealing obsolete rules; allows reversion to standard procedures if 50+ persons request it.

• Simplifies the statement of need and reasonableness requirements from eight detailed analyses to four streamlined categories and eliminates the mandatory 60-day pre-notice comment period for expedited rules.

• Creates new rule notification registry (section 14.105) allowing persons to register for electronic or mail notice of rulemaking proceedings, and permits agencies to use electronic transmission for notices and document filing.