WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 849

AN ACT relating to administrative regulations.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Derek Lewis

HB 849 creates a public permit portal, regulatory inventories, impact analyses, and a permanent ARRS to oversee major rules and require legislative ratification where needed.

returned to Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)
#administrativeregulationsandproceedings #archivesandrecords #committees #generalassembly #governor #informationtechnology #legislativeresearchcommission #reportsmandated #research #stateagencies
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 849

Overview

HB 849 (2026 Session, Kentucky) aims to reform administrative regulations by increasing transparency, imposing new reporting requirements, and creating a centralized permit/regulatory data framework. The bill establishes a publicly accessible permit transparency portal, strengthens the role and procedures of the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee, and mandates standardized regulatory inventories and fiscal notes. It also tightens deadlines and review processes for administrative regulations, including those with major economic impact.

Purpose and intent

  • Improve transparency and accountability in how administrative regulations are issued, reviewed, and amended.
  • Create a statewide baseline of regulatory requirements and restrictions.
  • Ensure regulators consider economic impacts and avoid unnecessary burdens, especially for small businesses and local governments.
  • Provide the General Assembly and the public with data to inform legislative action and potential regulatory improvements.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Permit Transparency Portal (new KRS 13A chapter)

    • Create an online, publicly accessible portal tracking all approvals (permits, licenses, certifications, registrations, etc.) required by administrative bodies.
    • Portal features:
      • Searchable database describing each approval, legal basis, requirements, forms, fees, timelines, and responsible contacts.
      • Electronic submission, status tracking, deadline notifications, and electronic fee payments.
      • Performance metrics: historical data, average processing times, compliance with timelines, and a public dashboard of aggregated data.
    • Phased rollout: pilot within 12 months for at least 3 high-impact approvals; full implementation within 24 months.

  2. Regulatory Inventories and Baseline (new KRS 13A section)

    • Administrative bodies must submit a regulatory inventory within 180 days, detailing:
      • Count of regulatory requirements and restrictions.
      • Which are discretionary vs. mandated by law.
      • Methodology and head of agency certification.
    • LRC compiles statewide baseline, with uniform methodologies and annual updates.
    • Annual updates begin the year after baseline establishment, with public reporting of totals, changes, and top-increase/decrease agencies.

  3. Definitions and framework (amended KRS 13A.010 and related terms)

    • Clarifies terms: discretionary requirements, regulatory restrictions, major economic impact (≥ $500,000 over two years), tiering, transparent economic impact analysis, etc.
    • Introduces a framework for evaluating regulations against federal mandates and statutory authority.

  4. Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (ARRS) enhancements (new and amended KRS 13A.020 and related sections)

    • Establishes a permanent ARRS with 8 members (Senate and House) and co-chairs from each chamber.
    • Expands core duties to include transparent economic impact analyses, identifying regulations for review, recommending efficiency improvements, and reporting to the General Assembly.
    • Formalizes meeting cadence, quorum, compensation, and administrative support.
    • Shifts certain review responsibilities to the ARRS and designates legislative committees to handle full reviews, with required timelines and reporting.

  5. Regulatory review and ratification process (amended KRS 13A.105, 13A.290, 13A.331, etc.)

    • Major economic impact regulations generally require General Assembly ratification before taking effect, with exceptions for emergencies or federal requirements under specific conditions.
    • Establishes staged review timelines, committee assignment procedures, and transfer mechanics during sessions.
    • Provides for withdrawal or amendment of regulations found deficient by the subcommittee or committees, including Governor involvement.

  6. Fiscal notes and cost analyses (amended KRS 13A.250)

    • Requires two-part cost analyses (governmental and regulated entity costs) for each regulation.
    • Mandates fiscal notes with detailed contact info, affected entities, statutory authorization, and methodology.
    • LRC reviews fiscal notes and can request supporting data.

Who is affected

  • State administrative bodies and regulators issuing administrative regulations.
  • Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (infrastructure for portal, inventories, and analyses).
  • Local governments, small businesses, and regulated entities affected by regulations and costs.
  • General Assembly, through enhanced oversight, reporting, and review of major economic impact regulations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Portal pilot within 12 months; full portal within 24 months.
  • Initial regulatory inventories due within 180 days; statewide baseline published within 30 days after inventories are collected; annual updates thereafter.
  • ARRS established with defined terms for meetings, quorums, and reporting; monthly meetings required.
  • Major economic impact regulations generally require legislative ratification, with defined exceptions for emergencies or federal mandates.
  • Annual permit efficiency report due to the General Assembly.

Note: The bill includes transition provisions (e.g., phased implementations and future baselines) and emphasizes data transparency and regulatory efficiency.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.