Governor Aims At Over-Regulation

On the first day of his administration, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger froze the adoption of proposed regulations and ordered each agency to report on all regulations adopted since January 6, 1999, and to identify underground regulations. In issuing Executive Order S-2-03, the Governor expressly called for the reassessment of a state government that is perceived to work against businesses.

The reports on previously adopted regulations are to address the impact of the regulations on California businesses, their legal authority, and whether the regulations meet the standards of necessity, authority, clarity, consistency, reference and non-duplication. The Governor directed the agencies to submit these reports to his Legal Affairs Secretary, by February 17. This presents an opportunity for affected businesses to have all regulations adopted in the last five years reviewed for possible modification or repeal. Affected businesses can ensure consideration of their concerns by