Gov. Bob McDonnell announced a regulatory reform initiative calling for regulatory agencies to examine their policies, remove unnecessary rules and streamline regulations, according to a statement from the Governor’s Office released Monday.
The initiative aims to make it easier for businesses to comply with and understand state regulations, said Jeff Palmore, director of policy development and deputy counselor to the governor. The initiative has been in development for a few years and will continue through the end of McDonnell’s term, Palmore said.
Every executive branch agency will be asked to look at its regulatory policies, Palmore said.
“Some agencies don’t have regulatory authority,” he said. “Some, like universities, have a handful, [such as] parking appeal or whether they allow firearms or not, [and] some have broad regulations.”
The process aims to remove unnecessary transportation rules, consolidate environmental regulations and remove regulations that conflict with each other or are outdated and antiquated.
Palmore said the public can send in regulation-related suggestions online.
When McDonnell served as Virginia attorney general from 2006 to 2009, he had a task force that examined ways to make regulations “less burdensome on citizens and businesses,” Palmore said. Now as governor he wants to take up the issue again with fewer limitations to his power, Palmore added.
The task force during McDonnell’s time as attorney general made 300 recommendations to reduce unnecessary regulations, according to the press release.
McDonnell is seeking public comment about the initiative.
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