Submitted for use on: Aug. 4, 2023
Word Count: 279 words
By State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper)
Transparency in government helps maintain a high level of accountability for our citizens.
As a state senator, I have always worked to maintain this transparency, so Hoosiers in Senate District 48 know what's going on at the Statehouse.
Earlier this year, I supported legislation that helps improve our transparency and accountability in administrative rulemaking for state agencies, which impacts Hoosiers' daily way of life.
House Enrolled Act 1623 provides a significant update to the Indiana Administrative Procedures Act, which controls how state administrative agencies propose new regulations and helps make state government run more efficiently.
The new law streamlines the public notice requirements for proposed rules made by state agencies and requires these entities to broadcast public hearings online.
These public hearings are also required to make accommodations for the public to virtually attend the meeting and provide comment on a proposed rule.
Livestreams must also be archived on the state website.
House Enrolled Act 1623 also requires state agencies to conduct a second hearing if a proposed rule receives substantive comments after the first public notice, or if the recommended rule is stricter than federal statute.
Starting next year, agencies will be required to post fines and penalties on their websites for laws and rules they administer, which allows Hoosiers to easily find and review this information.
This new law went into effect earlier this year.
Later this year, the Government Reform Task Force will study polices and standards of procedure implemented by state agencies, further continuing the work started in House Enrolled Act 1623.
As always, feel free to contact my office directly with your questions and concerns by email at Senator.Messmer@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48, which
includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
