By Reagan Priest | Arizona Capitol Times
Among the laundry list of propositions on Arizona’s ballot this year is a measure that would require legislative approval for state agency rules that increase regulatory costs.
Supporters say the measure will save taxpayers money and return power to the people, but opponents say it will slow agency rulemaking to a pace harmful to Arizonans.
Proposition 315, a legislative referral sponsored by Republican Sen. Anthony Kern, would require state agencies to submit proposed rules that could increase regulatory costs by more than $100,000 to the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity. If the OEO, an office overseen by the governor, finds that the proposed rules would increase regulatory costs by more than $500,000 over a five-year period, the rules must be submitted to the Legislature for approval.
Many backers of Prop. 315 are Republican lawmakers and Republican-aligned organizations, like Americans for Prosperity, which supported the measure as it moved through the Legislature. Steven Shadegg, the Arizona director for AFP, said the measure will give power back to the people by creating a check on state agencies that are run by appointees, not elected officials.
