Bill passes to expand power for legislators over agencies

The House overwhelmingly pushed through a Senate bill that would give lawmakers greater power over state agencies.

Senate Bill 2 by Senate President Pro Tempore Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, passed in the House 84-0 and will go to the governor's office for approval.

SB2, which would implement powers given to lawmakers by a voter-approved constitutional amendment in November, would require state agencies to seek lawmakers' consent with any changes to agency rules.

A proposed rule would be approved after review by the Legislative Council's Administrative Rules and Regulation Subcommittee. The rule would fail if a majority of that subcommittee voted against it.

SB2 would exempt three groups from the rule making: higher education institutions, the state Highway and Transportation Department and the Game and Fish Commission.

Metro on 04/01/2015

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