ARR - 2/22/95 HB 105 REGULATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS CHAIRMAN RANDY PHILLIPS called the Administrative Regulation Review Committee to order at 4:11 p.m. and brought up HB 105 as the first order of business. The chairman called the first witness. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES, prime sponsor of HB 105 relayed information contained in the sponsor's statement to the committee. Number 075 REPRESENTATIVE G. DAVIS asked Representative James if she thought it would be less questionable if we knew how it was being done now. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES responded it was her opinion that if we currently knew what happened to the writing of regulations, we wouldn't be writing so many. She also does not think the Legislature would be passing as much legislation if we knew the results of the legislation. She thinks that would reduce the bureaucratic growth of state government. Number 085 REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked Representative James if the intent of HB 105 was to have one regulation attorney drafting all regulations. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES said no, the intent is to take the attorney from the Department of Law who currently reviews regulations, and transfer that attorney to the group which would write regulations. REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG expressed concern that more people would be hired under HB 105. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES responded if that was the result of HB 105, she would never release it from her committee. It is her intent that there be fewer people writing regulations. When duties are consolidated, they can be done faster. REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG asked if individual agencies have people to draft regulations. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES replied that is not correct. Frequently writing of regulations is contracted out. Number 140 CHAIRMAN RANDY PHILLIPS asked Representative James where the separation would be. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES responded that the bill would place it in the Department of Administration. CHAIRMAN RANDY PHILLIPS asked why it couldn't be placed in Legislative Legal Services. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES replied that it could be placed there. Originally, Tam Cooke from Legislative Legal Services said it couldn't be placed under legislative jurisdiction because of the separation of powers issue, but Representative James thought the Legislature could gain control of regulations by statute. Number 160 REPRESENTATIVE G. DAVIS thought it would be a good idea to contract all regulation writing. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES stated that might be a good idea, but it might be a harder sell than consolidation of regulation writers. Number 180 REPRESENTATIVE JAMES passed out an amendment to HB 105. She believes gaining control of the regulation writing process will help the state solve its' financial problems. CHAIRMAN RANDY PHILLIPS asked if HB 105 is a priority for the House of Representatives. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES replied the subject is a priority for the House. She is trying to get support for streamlining the writing of regulations.