The last of four major reforms to Oklahoma’s administrative rulemaking process took effect last month, marking a significant overhaul of the state's regulatory oversight system. Already in effect were three other new laws that strengthen legislative oversight, limit agency overreach and ensure that regulations are grounded in law and subject to greater public accountability.
Administrative rules are the regulations written by state agencies to enforce laws passed by the Legislature and carry the force of law. After being approved by the agency, proposed rules move to the Legislature, but state statute left loopholes that could allow rules to become permanent without a single vote from lawmakers.
'When the Legislature, whether by intention or disregard, let regulations take effect without approval by lawmakers, we cede our lawmaking constitutional responsibility to unknown, unelected bureaucrats,' said Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, who chairs the House Administrative Rules Committee. 'That's not what we were elected to do. We weren't sent to the State Capitol to run the government on autopilot. I'm glad to see the last of these reform bills take effect and retore transparency, accountability and common sense to the rulemaking process.'
