Gabrielle Russon
Senate President Ben Albritton said legislation that unanimously cleared the Senate floor Wednesday may seem boring, but it is perhaps one of the most significant bills of the 2025 Session.
“This may be like watching paint dry, but at the end of the day, it is one of the boldest moves and important moves that the Florida Legislature will propose to state government to produce accountability and transparency and better government,” Albritton said about the proposed administrative procedural changes.
Among the sweeping changes in SB 108 is a requirement that state agencies review 20% of their rules annually. The agency would then decide whether to keep the rule, make a technical change, significantly change it or repeal it. The Senate President and House Speaker would get notified about the agency’s plans in a report due by Jan. 1 every year.
“The new process outlined in this bill improves oversight and accountability for everyone involved, including the Legislature. It is our responsibility to make sure bills we pass are implemented properly, so we can make changes if needed,” said Sen. Erin Grall, the bill sponsor, in a statement after the vote.
“This bill creates a thorough, systematic review to determine if existing agency rules are functioning to appropriately implement the law, or if certain rules need to be updated, amended or repealed. All materials related to rule reviews, including any changes, will also be made available online in a timely manner and easy-to-read format, enhancing transparency and public engagement in the rulemaking process.”
Added Albritton in a statement, “One of the reasons DOGE efforts at the federal level have become so popular is that people have a problem with unelected federal bureaucrats having so much unchecked authority. Florida is not immune from that kind of scrutiny. Outdated and unnecessary rules can cause burdensome bureaucracy, hindering transparency for Floridians, and creating barriers for citizens and businesses struggling to comply.”
SB 108 would also require state agencies issuing licenses to track compliance with licensure time frames to ensure applicants receive appropriate, timely responses.
5 comments
Steven Kirn
March 19, 2025 at 11:55 pm
Since the proposed remedy for having “unelected federal bureaucrats” tasked with converting generalized legislation into practical application is to shift that responsibility into part-time, non-expert legislators, I have little confidence that we will somehow end up with clean, streamlined, coherent, efficient and effective rules and implementation. If you think I’m being pessimistic, attend one of the legislative committee meetings. Are they prepared to do a better job than “unelected bureaucrats” who have devoted years to becoming experts in their fields? I doubt it! Since when did having seasoned specialists translating law into action become a bad idea?
SuzyQ
March 20, 2025 at 5:04 pm
Are you suggesting that a “government of the people, by the people, for the people,” should be turned over to unelected elites and elitists? How plutocratic of you. It’s yet another reason why the people, especially working-class people, are abandoning one political party in particular.
Steven Kirn
March 19, 2025 at 11:57 pm
See above. It is “in moderation”. I posted it!
FLPatriot
March 20, 2025 at 10:46 am
Do they though? I don’t see the GOP stopping Musk and he is the definition of an unelected bureaucrat with unchecked power.
Sun
March 20, 2025 at 11:41 am
The new laws are in license plates in front and back..and so on no more old way Florida it is now the north