Last spring, Iowa Senate Republicans spearheaded a cooperative effort with Iowa House Republicans and Governor Branstad’s Administration to hear directly from Iowans about how government regulations are holding back the growth and expansion of job creation in Iowa.

Over 1000 Iowans showed up to talk in detail about how they would see more success and add more jobs if burdensome government rules and regulations were reformed.

As a result of hearing directly from hardworking Iowa taxpayers, Senate Republicans have announced a package of 10 reforms that would begin to provide more confidence, clarity and certainty to those entrepreneurs and small business owners that create two out of every three new Iowa jobs.

Here are the highlights of the ten reforms:

Institute negotiated rule-making, as is done at the federal level, to give all interested parties a seat at the table when making rules.

Require job-impact statements to accompany all administrative rules to determine the rule’s impact on the private sector and job creation.

Require that no federal rule be implemented by a state agency or Iowa rule making authority more strictly than required by federal law, unless specifically authorized by Iowa General Assembly.

All state departments and agencies have a searchable and user-friendly rules database on their websites.

Amend the Iowa Code to require a five year rolling review of all administrative rules.

Hold public hearings for rules and regulations at locations and times that are convenient for those impacted by the rules.

Require state agencies to accept public comments on proposed rulemaking in an electronic format.

A full-time effort must be consistently applied toward making Iowa’s rule and regulatory climate more hospitable.

An extensive study commissioned by the Iowa Legislature detailing the projected financial effects of current and proposed EPA and DNR rules and regulations on Iowa cities over a ten year period.

Create a rule and regulatory committee that will personally assist companies coming into Iowa with state regulatory compliance.
These proposals are just a start.

There are many specific government regulations that Iowans have identified that are being looked at carefully on an individual basis.

However, we can all agree that a fundamental reform of the government regulation process will give all Iowans a greater seat at the table.

When legislators listen carefully and then take genuine steps to deliver measurable results, that is when government is most efficient and effective.

As always, I welcome hearing from you and can be reached by phone at 515-281-3560 or by e-mail at Jerry.Behn@legis.iowa.gov

Jerry Behn
Senate Republican Leader
www.facebook.com/JerryBehn
www.twitter.com/JerryBehn

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