Regulatory Reform is Ahead of Schedule
Oct 2 | NewsOctober 2, 2019
Contact: 540-999-8218
Fauquier, VA – Yesterday, the Governor’s office announced that the regulatory reform effort led by 18th District Delegate Michael Webert was on track and ahead of schedule.
Speaking about the announcement, Webert said, “We created the framework for a systematic review and reduction of unnecessary regulations in 2018, and I’m happy to see my legislation meeting that goal. Reducing regulatory requirements on Virginia’s small businesses and entrepreneurs has been a top priority of mine, and this report highlights our bipartisan approach to cutting red tape.”
HB 883, patroned by Delegate Webert in 2018, created a pilot program that requires the Department of Professional and Occupational Licensing (DPOR), and the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), to reduce regulations 25% by July 1, 2021. As the report notes, the initial results of the pilot program exceed projections:
The initial results of the pilot program indicate that each pilot agency exceeded the first year reduction objective of 7.5 percent. DCJS reported a reduction of 10.14 percent, which it achieved primarily by streamlining the application process for licenses, registration, or certifications. The regulatory boards supported by DPOR reported an overall reduction of 9.78 percent, which they primarily achieved by lowering barriers to entry into affected professions and improving regulatory clarity.
“This bill reflects our efforts to work in a bipartisan way to achieve commonsense solutions to the challenges we face,” Webert said. “When we looked at the Department of Professional and Occupational Licensing, and the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), we saw an opportunity to cut unnecessary regulations, and that’s exactly what we have done.”
Governor Northam praised the efforts to reduce unnecessary regulations. In February 2018, the Governor endorsed Delegate Webert’s legislation, HB 883, and his efforts to roll back excessive regulations.
“Reviewing regulatory requirements to ensure they are doing the job in the least restrictive way possible is just common sense,” said Governor Northam.
In addition to the two pilot agencies, DPOR and DCJS, 41 additional executive branch agencies will need to submit their regulatory catalog by July 1, 2020.
“I look forward to seeing what’s next,” Webert said, “because this is just the beginning of making government more streamlined and effective for its citizens.”
Michael Webert is a Virginia farmer who represents the 18th district, an area that covers all of Rappahannock, and portions of Fauquier, Warren, and Culpeper counties in the Virginia House of Delegates. He is currently serving his third term in the legislature, and sits on the following committees: Militia, Police and Public Safety; Commerce and Labor; Counties, Cities, and Towns.
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