H761: Regulatory Reform Act of 2014 - Summary

• Eliminates eight obsolete state boards and commissions including the Small Business Contractor Authority, Committee on Dropout Prevention, and Board of Corrections.

• Streamlines administrative processes by clarifying rule-making procedures, allowing electronic filing in administrative hearings, and enabling licensing boards to adopt their own rules for professional corporations.

• Expands business flexibility by exempting small business entities from real estate licensing requirements for entity-owned property sales, allowing merchants to perform locksmith services without licensing, and authorizing community colleges to operate brewing and fermentation programs.

• Reduces environmental regulatory burden through provisions on isolated wetlands mitigation, permit choice for applicants when rules change, environmental audit privilege protections, and coastal stormwater grandfather clauses.

• Addresses public safety and health matters including Venus flytrap theft penalties, carbon monoxide alarm requirements for lodging establishments, pharmacy benefits management regulation, and hemp extract research programs for intractable epilepsy.