Public input sought for new regulations
Tuesday marked nearly three weeks since the Delaware Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) opened a public comment period for small businesses to weigh in on guidelines state agencies will have to abide by starting in January 1.
Robert Scoglietti, director of policy at the Delaware OMB, says there had not been any input as of Tuesday afternoon but people have until November 5th. This process stems from the Regulatory Transparency and Accountability Act of 2015. District 19 Senator Brian Pettyjohn described it as a way of regulating the regulators.
“Really, it’s going to provide accountability to the regulatory agencies.” Explains Senator Pettyjohn. “It’s going to say look, before you enact any type of regulations. You’re going to have the let the people and businesses of Delaware know how these regulations are going to effect them.”
Under the law, agencies that want to pass new regulations will have to complete two statements. One is the Regulatory Flexible Analysis, which requires the agency to consider ways to reduce the costs a new regulation may have on a small business.
The second statement is called the Regulatory Impact Statement, which will describe the purpose of the regulation.
Delaware OMB is one of three offices, including Registrar of Regulations and Department of State, which have drafted templates for both statements. Scoglietti says they need the public, especially small businesses, to tell them what they want and don’t want.
“This is an important piece: the guild lines will frame what state agencies will put into the future and therefore, really deserves to be reviewed by the public and allow the public to enter comments in how they want to see the guidelines developed.” He explains.
To view the drafted proposal of regulations in its entirety online, click here.
The public comment period will end on November 5.
Those interest may submit comments to Robert Scoglietti at robert.scoglietti@state.de.us or via U.S. mail at the Office of Management and Budget, attn: Robert Scoglietti, 122 Martin Luther King Boulevard South, Dover, DE 19901.
