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HF3113 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Administrative Procedure Act requirements added to emphasize statutory authorization for rules, governor's statutory authority to authorize rules in an emergency rescinded, and court deference to agency rule interpretation precluded.

Related bill: SF3316

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill is designed to modify Minnesota's Administrative Procedure Act to ensure that any rule-making by state agencies strictly adheres to statutory authority. It aims to reinforce the procedure for creating rules and limit emergency powers previously granted to the governor.

Main Provisions

  • Rule-Making Authorization: The bill emphasizes that any new rules made by state agencies must have explicit statutory authorization. This means agencies need clear legal backing from existing laws to adopt new regulations.
  • Emergency Powers: The bill proposes rescinding the governor’s authority to authorize rule-making during emergency situations, thereby limiting executive power in emergencies.
  • Court Deference: There is a provision that eliminates judicial deference to agency interpretations of their own rules. Courts would no longer automatically side with agencies on how their rules should be interpreted.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill amends several sections (such as 14.02, 14.05, and others) of the Minnesota Statutes to incorporate these changes. It particularly changes how rules are defined, requiring a thorough rule-making process even for amendments or repeals.
  • It challenges the current practice where courts often defer to agency expertise in rule interpretation, shifting instead toward independent judicial interpretation.

Relevant Terms

  • Administrative Procedure Act
  • Statutory Authorization
  • Emergency Powers
  • Rule-Making
  • Judicial Deference
  • Agency Rule Interpretation

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
April 02, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toState Government Finance and Policy
April 02, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toState Government Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends the statutory authority related to the governor's emergency powers.",
      "modified": [
        "Precludes governors from authorizing rules in emergencies."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "12.21",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill introduces changes to the definition of 'Rule' in administrative procedures.",
      "modified": [
        "Excludes agency guidance documents from being considered rules unless properly adopted according to procedural requirements."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "14.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  }
]

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