Alaska State Legislature
News from the House Majority

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Senate Passes Negotiated Rule-Making Bill

Bill Aims to Get those Affected by Regulations Involved Early in the Process

For Immediate Release: May 10, 1998 Contact: Rep. Jeannette James at (907) 465-3743.

Juneau – The Alaska Senate tonight unanimously passed House Bill 264, "Negotiated Regulation/Rule Making." HB 264 encourages state agencies to include those parties who would be affected by proposed rules and regulations changes early-on in the regulation- or rule-making process. The measure seeks to achieve consensus on some or all aspects of new rules and regulations before they are formally proposed.

"The idea behind this voluntary process is to get those individuals, businesses, and agencies who would be significantly impacted by proposed rules and regulations involved in the process before the proposals are formally published," said the bill's sponsor, Representative Jeannette James (R-North Pole). "This is another tool for state agencies and all Alaskans affected by their rules and regulations to do their jobs more efficiently and cost- and time-effectively," James said.

Currently, Negotiated Regulation/Rule Making is used by the Federal Government and by the states of Montana, Nebraska, and several other states.. The Negotiated Regulation/Rule making process has proven to involve somewhat higher regulatory costs at the beginning of the process in other jurisdictions which have used it. But the final costs are usually much lower because there is not as much time and effort spent on fixing problems later on in the process.

House Bill 264 now moves to the House for concurrence with Senate amendments.

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Broadcasters note: Comments are available on the House Majority Line at (800) 478-6540.
= Jeannette James, 31 K