Requires that all agencies' final rules, promulgated pursuant to the administrative procedures act, be approved by general assembly action, but in no case later than December 31 of the year it is promulgated, before it can become effective.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would change how state government rules and regulations become official law in Rhode Island. Currently, state agencies — like the Department of Health, the Department of Environmental Management, or other government bodies — can create and finalize their own rules under a process called the Administrative Procedures Act. This bill would add a new requirement: before any of those agency rules can actually take effect, the full General Assembly (Rhode Island's state legislature) must vote to approve them. Additionally, if the legislature doesn't approve a rule by December 31st of the same year it was created, the rule would not be allowed to go into effect at all.

This bill would affect essentially every Rhode Islander, because state agency rules touch many areas of daily life — from environmental standards and workplace safety to healthcare regulations and licensing requirements. It would also significantly change the balance of power between the executive branch (which oversees state agencies) and the legislative branch (the General Assembly). Right now, agencies have the authority to write and implement rules largely on their own within guidelines set by existing laws. This bill would give lawmakers direct veto power over those rules.

Supporters of this type of legislation often argue it increases democratic accountability by ensuring elected representatives approve significant regulations. Those with concerns might point out that it could slow down the rulemaking process or make it harder for agencies to respond quickly to emerging public needs. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.