In accordance with the provisions of this section, each executive branch agency shall conduct a periodic review of regulations promulgated by such agency to determine which regulations, if any, should be modified or eliminated. The review process hereunder shall commence no later than January 1, 2016, and shall recommence on a recurring basis every 4 years. Reviews by executive branch agencies hereunder shall be conducted in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) Each executive branch agency shall be assigned a 3-month regulatory review period by the Office of the Governor or any executive branch agency designated thereby. During such regulatory review period, each executive branch agency shall solicit public input, and shall conduct its own in-depth internal review, to identify regulations promulgated by such agency 4 years ago or more for possible modification or elimination.
(2) During its regulatory review period, each executive branch agency:
a. Shall conduct at least 1 public hearing in each county, notice of which shall be provided in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, § 10101 et seq. of this title (“APA”);
b. Shall accept recommendations and input, in person, by mail, by fax, and via an online submission form; and
c. Shall adopt procedures to allow for the submission of anonymous recommendations and input.
(3) At the conclusion of its regulatory review period, each executive branch agency shall evaluate the comments, proposals, and recommendations received or generated, and shall submit any revisions (i.e., regulations to be eliminated or modified) to the Register of Regulations for publication in accordance with the APA.
(4) No later than 12 months from the commencement of any regulatory review process described herein, the Office of the Governor, or any executive branch agency designated thereby, shall submit a report to General Assembly detailing the regulations eliminated or modified as a result of such process.
(5) Notwithstanding the foregoing, each executive branch agency shall be required to consider only those regulations adopted pursuant to the APA 4 years ago or more for which it has direct promulgating authority. In connection herewith, no executive branch agency shall be required to consider regulations administered by an executive branch agency but require adoption or amendment by a board, commission, or other agency, including but not limited to regulations administered by the Department of State's Division of Professional Regulation that define standards of conduct or qualifications of individuals applying for licensure or as licensed professionals. If an executive branch agency does not have any regulations adopted pursuant to the APA 4 years ago or more for which it has direct promulgating authority, it shall not be subject to the procedures described in this section.
(6) In connection herewith, the Office of the Governor, or any executive branch agency designated thereby, may promulgate guidelines to assist executive branch agencies in implementing the requirements of this section. Such guidelines shall be subject to the APA, and may include but shall not be limited to:
a. Coordinating the regulatory review period of each executive branch agency to maximize public input, and to minimize the administrative burden imposed upon such agency and the Register of Regulations to the extent possible;
b. Requirements relating to the timing and content of any notice to be published by each executive branch agency in connection with its regulatory review period; and
c. A description of procedures to allow for the submission of anonymous recommendations and input.