Gov. Jack Markell signed three regulatory reform bills into law. House Bill 147 requires Executive Branch agencies to review the regulations on their books every four years. Senate Bill 113 and Senate Bill 120 require agencies to consider the impact of new regulations and examine ways to reduce their burdens upon small businesses.
“Together, these three bills will improve transparency, increase accountability, and make life easier for small businesses. Today, as evidenced by the unanimous passage of this legislation, my Administration and members of the General Assembly are speaking with a unified voice in support of these goals,” said Markell. “Although regulations are sometimes necessary, we must strive to ensure that they do not place unnecessary burdens upon individuals and businesses.”
Markell went on to say the legislation included ideas from legislators from both parties and built on previous work in reducing red tape.
“We took a big first step with Executive Order 36 in 2012 and built a great deal of goodwill with Delaware businesses who were pleased that state government was committed to streamlining and cleaning up its regulatory books,” said HB 147 sponsor Rep. Bryon Short (D-Brandywine Hundred). “By making that commitment permanent, we are showing our small business community that we understand the challenges they face on a daily basis and that we want to work cooperatively to help them contribute to our economy and our communities.”
“I’m proud to be a part of this bipartisan legislation,” said Sen. Gerald Hocker (R-Ocean View), owner of five Sussex County businesses. “Since my wife, Emily, and I opened our first grocery story 44 years ago, it’s been increasingly difficult for entrepreneurs to start a business in Delaware and for existing businesses to grow. But these three pieces of legislation will help change that by eliminating some of the unnecessary costs that have become such a tremendous burden for our small businesses.”
Both SB 113 and SB 120 become effective for all new or amended regulations submitted to the Registrar of Regulations on or after January 1, 2016.
