NC S22

Agencies cannot adopt rules that result in substantial estimated additional costs unless adoption is required by serious public health/safety threats, federal/state law, budget policy changes, federal regulations, or court orders.

Defines "substantial estimated additional costs" as an aggregate financial impact of at least $500,000 on all persons subject to a proposed rule within a 12-month period.

Requires agencies analyzing costs to determine analysis timeframe, assess baseline conditions, identify affected persons and expenditure types, estimate incremental costs including direct and opportunity costs, and apply a 7% discount factor for future costs.

Effective immediately upon becoming law and applies to rules published in the North Carolina Register on or after the effective date.

Expires July 1, 2012.