2010 Arizona Revised Statutes
Title 41 - State Government
41-1056 Review by agency

41-1056. Review by agency

A. At least once every five years, each agency shall review all of its rules to determine whether any rule should be amended or repealed. The agency shall prepare and obtain council approval of a written report summarizing its findings, its supporting reasons and any proposed course of action. For each rule, the report shall include a concise analysis of all of the following:

1. The rule's effectiveness in achieving its objectives, including a summary of any available data supporting the conclusions reached.

2. Written criticisms of the rule received during the previous five years.

3. Authorization of the rule by existing statutes.

4. Whether the rule is consistent with other rules made by the agency, current agency enforcement policy and current agency views regarding the wisdom of the rule.

5. The clarity, conciseness and understandability of the rule.

6. The estimated economic, small business and consumer impact of the rules as compared to the economic, small business and consumer impact statement prepared on the last making of the rules.

7. Any analysis submitted to the agency by another person that compares the rule's impact on this state's business competitiveness to the impact on businesses in other states.

8. If applicable, that the agency completed the previous five-year review process.

9. A determination that the rule imposes the least burden and costs to persons regulated by the rule, including paperwork and other compliance costs, necessary to achieve the underlying regulatory objective.

B. The council shall schedule the periodic review of each agency's rules and shall approve or return, in whole or in part, the agency's report on its review. The council may grant an agency an extension from filing an agency's report. If the council returns an agency's report, in whole or in part, the council shall inform the agency of the manner in which its report is inadequate and, in consultation with the agency, shall schedule submission of a revised report. The council shall not approve a report unless the report complies with subsection A.

C. The council may reschedule a report or portion of a report for any rule that is scheduled for review and that was initially made or substantially revised within two years before the due date of the report as scheduled by the council.

D. If an agency finds that it cannot provide the written report to the council by the date it is due, the agency may file an extension with the council before the due date indicating the reason for the extension. The timely filing for an extension permits the agency to submit its report on or before the date prescribed by the council.

E. If an agency fails to submit its report, including a revised report pursuant to subsection B, or file an extension before the due date of the report or if it files an extension and does not submit its report within the extension period, the rules scheduled for review expire and the council shall:

1. Cause a notice to be published in the next register that states the rules have expired and are no longer enforceable.

2. Notify the secretary of state that the rules have expired and that the rules are to be removed from the code.

3. Notify the agency that the rules have expired and are no longer enforceable.

F. If a rule expires as provided in subsection E and the agency wishes to reestablish the rule, the agency shall comply with article 3 of this chapter.

G. Not less than ninety days before the due date of a report, the council shall send a written notice to the head of the agency whose report is due, the governor and the director of the department of administration. The notice shall list the rules to be reviewed and the date the report is due.

H. On or before June 30 of each year, each agency shall report to the council the agency's progress toward completion of the course of action established in all reports submitted to the council during the previous five years. The annual report prescribed by this subsection shall be on a form developed by the council.

I. A person who is regulated or could be regulated by an obsolete rule may petition the council to require an agency that has the obsolete rule to consider including the rule in the five-year report with a recommendation for repeal of the rule.