Measures to Reduce Administrative Burdens

     Current law requires each principal department (department) to establish a schedule to review all of its rules. The bill requires the review to occur at least every 5 years. Current law directs each department to make certain determinations when conducting the review of the rules. The bill requires the following additional determinations:

• Whether the department has rules with the same or similar purpose, intent, or goal and, if so, how those are coordinated and whether redundant rules can be eliminated;
• Whether the rule is outdated or obsolete;
• Whether funding levels to support the program or function subject to the rule are appropriate;
• Whether there are opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the rule in meeting its purpose, intent, or goal; and
• Whether the rule creates administrative burdens on the agency, consumers, or businesses without a corresponding public benefit.

     Current law requires each department to present a report at its 'SMART Act' hearing regarding its mandatory review of all rules. The bill permits the committee of reference presiding over the 'SMART Act' hearing to determine whether a program or function subject to the rules should be subject to a sunset review and to provide to the legislative audit committee its departmental regulatory agenda for the audit committee to determine whether a program or function subject to the rule should be subject to a performance or financial audit.

     The bill clarifies the attorney general's responsibility regarding litigation discovery on behalf of the state of Colorado or on behalf of the people of the state of Colorado.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)