HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1120

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Technology & Economic Development

Title: An act relating to enhancing the economic development and viability of small businesses.

Brief Description: Concerning the regulatory fairness act.

Sponsors: Representatives Smith, Morris, Short, Hayes, Stanford, Koster, Van Werven, McDonald, MacEwen, Muri, Haler, Ryu, Condotta and Buys.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Technology & Economic Development: 1/18/17, 1/24/17, 1/26/17, 2/1/17 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Exempts agencies that are able to demonstrate their proposed rule does not affect small businesses from completing a small business economic impact statement as required by the Regulatory Fairness Act.

  • Requires agencies proposing a rule that affects only small businesses to consider certain mitigation options to reduce the cost to small businesses.

  • Requires an agency whose proposed rule imposes more than minor costs on small businesses to mitigate those costs when it does not have sufficient data to calculate disproportionate impacts.

  • Requires the Office of Regulatory Innovation and Assistance to act as the central entity to assist agencies with meeting the requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act.

  • Requires the Office of the Washington State Auditor to conduct performance reviews of agency compliance with the Regulatory Fairness Act.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Morris, Chair; Kloba, Vice Chair; Smith, Ranking Minority Member; DeBolt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doglio, Fey, Harmsworth, Hudgins, McDonald, Nealey, Santos, Slatter, Steele, Wylie and Young.

Staff: Kirsten Lee (786-7133).

Background:

The Regulatory Fairness Act and Small Business Economic Impact Statements.

Under the Regulatory Fairness Act (RFA), an agency must develop a small business economic impact statement (SBEIS) if a rule it is adopting under the Administrative Procedures Act will impose more than minor costs on businesses in an industry or if the agency is ordered to do so by the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee.

A SBEIS must contain a variety of information, including:

If the SBEIS shows that a rule will have a disproportionate impact on small businesses (businesses with 50 or fewer employees), the agency must, where legal and feasible, reduce the costs imposed by the rule on small businesses. Agencies determine whether a rule has a disproportionate impact on small businesses by comparing the cost of compliance for businesses with the cost of compliance for the 10 percent of businesses that are the largest businesses required to comply with the proposed rules. Agencies calculate the cost of compliance by comparing at least one of the following:

Methods the agency may use to reduce the costs imposed by the rule on a small business include:

The SBEIS must list the steps taken to reduce the costs on small businesses or state a reasonable justification for not doing so.

Office of Regulatory Innovation and Assistance.

The Office of Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA), formerly the Office of Regulatory Assistance and Office of Permit Assistance, was created within the Office of the Governor in 2002 by the Legislature. The ORIA assists citizens and small businesses with permitting, licensing, and regulatory issues, including developing improvements to the regulatory system. The ORIA's duties include providing clear information and assistance to citizens, businesses, and local governments on state regulations, permit requirements, and agency rule-making processes.

State Auditor's Office.

The Office of the Washington State Auditor (SAO) holds state and local governments accountable for the use of public resources. By State Constitution, the State Auditor has the power to examine the financial affairs of all governments in the state, including local governments, schools, state agencies, and institutions of higher education. In addition, the SAO carries out special investigations and performance audits of state agencies and local governments.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Regulatory Fairness Act and Small Business Economic Impact Statements.

An agency that demonstrates its proposed rule does not affect small businesses is exempt from completing a SBEIS under the RFA. An agency must consider all of the cost reduction options listed in the RFA when its proposed rule affects only small businesses.

An agency whose proposed rule imposes more than minor costs on small businesses must mitigate these costs when the agency does not have sufficient data to determine the extent of disproportionate impact on small businesses.

Office of Regulatory Innovation and Assistance.

The ORIA must act as the central entity to collaborate with and provide support to agencies in meeting the requirements of the RFA.

The ORIA's support must include, but is not limited to:

The ORIA must consult with the Office of the Attorney General (AGO) in providing online guidance and tools. Online guidance and tools may include the creation of templates and resources to assist agency employees with consistent compliance with the RFA.

State Auditor's Office.

The SAO is required to conduct a performance review of agency compliance of the RFA, no earlier than June 30, 2020. The SAO must report its findings and recommendations by June 30, 2021. The SAO must complete subsequent compliance reviews of the agencies, depending on the degree to which agencies are found to be in compliance with the RFA. The SAO must report findings and any recommendations from subsequent reviews following the review.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill:

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The SAO's findings regarding compliance with the RFA are concerning, including problems with agencies improperly claiming exemptions as they pertain to the RFA. It is important that small business impact statements, required under the Regulatory Fairness Act, are completed when required, that they are completed properly, and there is review of and accountability for these statements when they are not completed correctly. Agencies should be equipped with the tools they need to determine if their proposed rules will have an impact on small businesses, minor or otherwise. This is important to small businesses because the cost of regulation on small businesses is overwhelming. Discussions with the Office of the Governor are taking place to address the issues and concerns from the SAO's findings.

(Other) The Office of the Governor has assembled a working group, which is working with the sponsor on recommendations to address the issues and concerns expressed in the SAO's report. The working group is looking to identify what resources would be most helpful and how to make those resources available.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Smith, prime sponsor; Patrick Connor, National Federation of Independent Business; Gary Smith; and Mike Ennis, Association of Washington Business.

(Other) Sheri Sawyer, Office of the Governor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.