Harrisburg – Legislation sponsored by State Senator John DiSanto (R-15) to prohibit costly government regulations from being imposed without approval by the General Assembly and Governor was reported out of the Senate Rules Committee this week.
Under Senate Bill 561, no regulation with an economic impact or cost to the Commonwealth, to its political subdivisions, and to the private sector exceeding $1 million could be imposed without approval of the General Assembly and Governor.
Currently, the regulatory review process requires the General Assembly to pass a concurrent resolution disapproving a regulation. However, the Governor must sign the disapproval resolution to bar his own agencies from enacting the regulation, the senator noted.
“The process is set up to make it difficult for the General Assembly to protect employers and other citizens from burdensome regulations. It is a priority of mine to restore the constitutional balance and ensure that the people, through their elected representatives, have the final say on legislative intent for economically significant regulations,” said DiSanto.
Senate Bill 651 is expected to be referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee before receiving a vote by the full Senate.
“I am encouraged that this measure is advancing, and look forward to gaining Senate approval and enactment of our entire regulatory reform package,” DiSanto said.
CONTACT: Chuck Erdman cerdman@pasen.gov (717) 787-6801