Focus of Galgiani transparency bill narrowed

By The Record

May 30, 2013 12:00 AM

SAN ANDREAS – A bill by State Sen. Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, that would have required state agencies to notify the public of workshops and hearings on proposed new regulations was watered down this week.

Galgiani’s SB176 would have required notices of hearings, workshops and other public-comment opportunities related to any new regulation be published in the California Regulatory Notice Register.

Amendments made Tuesday, however, removed that requirement. Instead, the bill allows agencies to comply with a much more vague requirement that they “involve parties who would be subject to the proposed regulations in public discussions.”

An agency that regulates a particular industry, for example, would direct its outreach to that industry. Advocates for greater government transparency had hoped to have a one-stop shop for finding opportunities to comment on any new proposed state regulations.

Law does require proposed regulations to be published in the Regulatory Notice Register, but not notices of all the workshops, hearings and other meetings where the details of new regulations are usually developed.

Galgiani’s amendment to her bill would slightly strengthen one aspect of the bill – the requirement for outreach to parties subject to a regulation would apply to all regulations, regardless of their complexity. Law requires such outreach only for “complex” proposals.

According to a Senate floor analysis of the bill, it is supported by 20 industry groups including the Western States Petroleum Association, the California New Car Dealers Association and the California Association of Realtors. The Sierra Club opposes the bill.

To see the bill, visit leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, click on “Bill Information,” and search for 176.