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Smith offers
state regulatory reform bill
Measure seeks to assist local businesses,
farms and others by creating greater accountability for state agencies
Citing many complaints she heard over the past year from local
businesses and farmers,
Rep. Norma Smith
introduced regulatory reform legislation to ensure local businesses are
better protected from excessive state regulations.
"Growing state regulations are making it increasingly difficult for our
businesses and farms to survive," said Smith, R-Clinton. "I have
consistently heard these concerns since taking office more than a year
ago, and have heard my constituents loud and clear. Businesses in the
10th District, and statewide, are in need of a stable regulatory
environment. In this economy, it is critical the Legislature work to
remove the obstacles our farmers and small-business community face so
they can retain and create good-paying jobs."
House Bill 1617 would strengthen
a citizen's ability to halt agency rules which regulate beyond the clear
direction of the Legislature by requiring agencies to show clear
statutory authority for their rule. It also gives citizens the ability
to file agency decision challenges in several county courts. Currently
all challenges must be filed in Thurston County.
Many
farmers and businesses owners have shared examples of agency overreach
and how burdensome and duplicate rules and regulations have had harmful
consequences to their businesses. Small projects can quickly turn into
monumental challenges when multiple agencies overstep their bounds,
Smith explained.
"The
Legislature should act quickly and decisively to keep our skilled
agricultural community doing what they do best - help families keep jobs
and help businesses keep their doors open," Smith said. "I hope this
bill will be an important step in the regulatory reform this state must
enact."
The bill has bipartisan support and is scheduled for a public hearing
Friday, Jan. 30, 1:30 p.m. in the House State
Government and Tribal Affairs Committee. The hearing will take place in
House Hearing Room D in the John L. O'Brien Building in Olympia.
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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