Committee backs bill requiring governor sign-off before agencies declare emergencies

President Pringle told the State Government committee that HB136 aims to curb what he described as agencies and licensing boards self-declaring emergencies to issue emergency rules and extend contracts without proper oversight. "I'm sorry, but 6 years running is not an emergency," Pringle said, describing instances where emergency contracts and rulemaking were stretched for multiple years.

The bill would require the governor to provide a written letter certifying that a health or safety emergency exists before an executive-branch agency or licensing board could invoke emergency contracting or emergency rulemaking. Pringle framed the change as a separation-of-powers and transparency measure to prevent agencies from circumventing regular review processes.

Representative Shaw moved to report the bill favorably and Representative Kirkland seconded; the committee approved the motion on a voice vote and the bill received a favorable report.

The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; action on HB136 was by voice vote and the bill was reported favorably. The committee did not identify a statute number or specific code section in the discussion.