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HB 3651

Relating to agricultural seed.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anna Scharf

The PRIOR Act requires a Pre-Regulatory Impact Assessment showing least-restrictive options and impacts before any new occupational regulation or scope expansion can be voted on.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3651

Summary of HB3651 — PRIOR Act (Pre-Regulatory Impact Assessment for Occupational Regulation)

Purpose and intent

  • HB3651 proposes the PRIOR Act, intended to reform how new occupational regulations are proposed and considered in Illinois.
  • The core aim is to ensure that any creation of a new occupational license, expansion of an existing scope of practice, or increase in personal qualifications is supported by thorough evaluation of least restrictive alternatives and public impact before the measure can be voted on by a committee or the General Assembly.
  • The Act emphasizes protecting public health and safety while assessing the broader costs and burdens on individuals and the economy, including the right to pursue lawful work.

Key provisions and changes

  • Pre-Regulatory Impact Assessment (PRIA) requirement:
    • A Pre-Regulatory Impact Assessment must be completed and presented to the General Assembly before legislation creating a new occupational regulation, expanding scope of practice, or increasing personal qualifications can be voted on.
  • Assignment and oversight:
    • On or before the start of a General Assembly session, the Speaker, the President, and the Chair of each relevant committee must assign the responsibility to analyze the legislation and the accompanying PRIA to the appropriate committee or legislative staff.
    • Designated staff must review PRIA-aligned legislation to ensure the proposal uses the least restrictive regulation and prepare the PRIA for consideration with the legislation.
  • Proponent submission:
    • Legislation proponents must submit a Pre-Regulatory Impact Application detailing the occupation, changes proposed, and the full range of practices and activities within the scope of the regulation.
  • Staff actions:
    • The designated staff have authority to review, analyze, and prepare the PRIA and to take actions as specified by the Act.
  • Definitions:
    • The Act defines terms including Department, least restrictive regulation (a ranked list from market competition to an occupational license), License, Licensure, Occupational Regulation, Personal Qualifications, Scope of Practice, and Pre-Regulatory Impact Assessment Report.
  • Public policy framework:
    • Section 5 outlines public policy goals, including that licensing should be warranted only to protect health and safety from significant harm, and highlights the right to pursue a lawful occupation.
  • Temporary moratorium:
    • The Act establishes a temporary moratorium on creating new occupational regulations while the PRIA process is being adopted (as part of the Act’s protections and review framework).
  • Effective date:
    • The Act states it is effective immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Proponents of proposed occupational regulations (e.g., regulatory or licensing bodies, professional associations, or state agencies proposing new licenses, expanded scopes, or higher qualification requirements) would need to submit a PRIA.
  • Legislators and legislative staff would be tasked with analyzing PRIA submissions and incorporating them into consideration of the bills.
  • The general public and licensed/regulated professions could experience changes in the regulatory approval process, potentially affecting how quickly or slowly new regulations move forward.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 18, 2025 (with public sponsorship by Rep. Justin Slaughter and Rep. Lisa Davis); listed as introduced March 3, 2025 in some records.
  • Early actions include referrals to Rules Committee, Rule 19(a) re-refer, and multiple co-sponsorships added from February to April 2025 (including Rep. Jed Davis, Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, Rep. Kevin Olickal, Rep. Barbara Hernandez, Rep. Lisa Davis, Rep. Martin McLaughlin).
  • The bill indicates that the PRIA must be completed and presented before any vote on the related regulatory legislation, with staff assigned to analyze and prepare the PRIA at the start of each session.
  • A temporary moratorium on creating new occupational regulations is included in the Act, intended to pause action until the PRIA framework is in place.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Administrative burden: Proponents must prepare a detailed PRIA, which could lengthen the timeline for proposed regulations.
  • Regulatory rigor: The process formalizes consideration of least restrictive alternatives and potential economic and workforce impacts.
  • Public accountability: Embeds an evaluative step intended to inform legislators, potentially improving evidence-based decision-making on occupational regulation.
  • Scope of influence: Applies to new regulations, expansions of scope, and increases in personal qualifications, potentially affecting a wide range of professions and licensing bodies.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text and the listed legislative actions; actual enactment would depend on passage by the General Assembly and any amendments during the legislative process.

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

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