DiSanto Takes Aim at Costly Regulations

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Harrisburg – State Senator John DiSanto (R-15) has introduced legislation, Senate Bill 561, to prohibit costly government regulations from being imposed without approval by the General Assembly and Governor.

Under the measure, no regulation with an economic impact or cost to the Commonwealth, to its political subdivisions, and to the private sector exceeding $1 million could be imposed without approval of the General Assembly and Governor.

"This legislation is needed to strengthen political accountability for regulatory policy and protect our economy from undue burdens on business and job creation," DiSanto said.

Currently, the regulatory review process requires the General Assembly to pass a concurrent resolution disapproving a regulation. However, the Governor must sign the disapproval resolution to bar his own agencies from enacting the regulation, the senator noted.

"Reversing this process and requiring concurrent resolutions of approval will reinforce the constitution’s balance of powers. While the General Assembly delegates legal authority to executive agencies, it is essential that the General Assembly have the final say on legislative intent for economically significant regulations," he said.

The legislation follows DiSanto’s introduction of the proposed Tax Limitation Amendment to the state constitution, which would require a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly to increase taxes.

"I was sent to Harrisburg to protect taxpayers and employers from the growing burden of state government and to encourage entrepreneurism and job growth," DiSanto said. "These measures are just two of the steps necessary to restore government that serves the people, instead of the other way around."

CONTACT: Chuck Erdman [email protected] (717) 787-6801