Sec. 1. 3 MRSA §956, sub-§2, ¶¶G, J and K, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 488, §2, are amended to read:

G. Identification of those areas where an agency has coordinated its efforts with other state and federal agencies in achieving program objectives and other areas in which an agency could establish cooperative arrangements, including, but not limited to, cooperative arrangements to coordinate services and eliminate redundant requirements;

J. Identification of emerging issues for the agency or program in the coming years; and

K. Any other information specifically requested by the committee of jurisdiction.; and

Sec. 2. 3 MRSA §956, sub-§2, ¶L is enacted to read:

L.__A comparison of any related federal laws and regulations to the state laws governing the agency or program and the rules implemented by the agency or program.

FISCAL NOTE

Each department or agency subject to Government Evaluation Act review will incur some minor additional costs to provide additional information as part of its report under the Act. These costs can be absorbed within the affected departments' and agencies' existing budgeted resources.

SUMMARY

This bill implements a recommendation of the Task Force to Study the Effect of Government Regulation on Small Businesses. It adds a requirement that each agency or program under a State Government Evaluation Act review:

1. Identify how the agency works with other state and federal agencies to coordinate services and eliminate redundant and overlapping requirements; and

2. Compare federal laws and regulations to state laws and rules implemented by the agency.

The bill includes a fiscal note.