In a tie vote yesterday evening, the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee did not take action on a dangerous regulatory rollback bill, sponsored by Rep. Foley.
HB 614 would require state
agencies to prepare an economic impact study prior to the adoption of any rule.
Any rule with a negative impact on the general fund or that would cost more
than $20 million would need to be reviewed by the legislature prior to
adoption.
If passed, this bill would
make rulemaking burdensome and difficult for New Mexico’s state agencies, jeopardizing their ability to
protect public health, welfare, safety and our environment.
The bill is one in a series
of attempts to weaken the separation of powers among the Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches
and threaten key environmental, health and safety protections.
Areas impacted include, but
are not limited, to: groundwater protection, land and river contamination,
clean air, safety conditions and sanitation in nursing homes, restaurants,
foster homes, meatpacking and more.
HB 614 would bottleneck
regulations and rules passed by state agencies and commissions intended to
protect public health and welfare, worker safety and the environment. During
the last fiscal year, there were approximately 560 rules repealed, amended or
newly adopted. During the prior fiscal year, there were approximately 680.
"This and other regulatory rollbacks are putting New Mexico's environment on the line. We're calling on New Mexico's legislators to oppose this and other dangerous rollbacks," concluded Environment New Mexico's Lauren Ketcham.
