HOUSE FILE 361

BY  KAJTAZOVIC, THOMAS, WILLEMS, ISENHART, PETERSEN, M. SMITH, KRESSIG, STECKMAN, WOLFE, MURPHY, LYKAM, MASCHER, T. TAYLOR, McCARTHY, HUNTER, HEDDENS, HALL, LENSING, WESSEL-KROESCHELL, KEARNS, and MUHLBAUER

A BILL FOR

An Act creating the red tape commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  RED TAPE COMMISSION.  A commission of twenty members is created to comprehensively review all proposed and existing rules and regulations in order to assess the effects of such rules and regulations on Iowa’s economy and to determine whether the resulting burdens on small businesses and workers outweigh the intended benefits. The commission shall also review the application processes for permits, grants, and tax credits to ensure the processes are streamlined.
   1.
  COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP.  The commission shall consist of the following members:
   a.  The director of the department of natural resources or a designee.
   b.  The director of the department of economic development or a designee.
   c.  The director of inspections and appeals or a designee.
   d.  The director of public health or a designee.
   e.  The director of the department of commerce or a designee.
   f.  The director of the department of workforce development or a designee.
   g.  The director of revenue or a designee.
   h.  The director of the department of cultural affairs or a designee.
   i.  Two small business representatives, to be appointed by the governor and to serve at the pleasure of the governor.
   j.  Two environmental group representatives, to be appointed by the governor and to serve at the pleasure of the governor.
   k.  One city representative, to be appointed by the governor and to serve at the pleasure of the governor.
   l.  One county representative, to be appointed by the governor and to serve at the pleasure of the governor.
   m.  Two members with expertise in economic development in Iowa, to be appointed by the governor and to serve at the pleasure of the governor.
   n.  Four members of the general assembly serving as ex officio, nonvoting members, one representative to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one representative to be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives, one senator to be appointed by the majority leader of the senate after consultation with the president of the senate, and one senator to be appointed by the minority leader of the senate.
   2.
  COMMISSION ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION.
   a.  The commission shall select its own chairperson and establish its rules of procedure.
   b.  By December 1, 2011, the commission shall hold at least three public hearings throughout Iowa to listen to the concerns of Iowa citizens.
   c.  The commission may also meet as deemed necessary by the chairperson.
   d.  A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
   e.  Members shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual expenses.
   f.  The department of economic development shall provide staff support for the commission.
   3.
  REPORT.  The commission shall submit recommendations to the general assembly, the office of lean enterprise, and the governor on or before January 15, 2012, identifying rules, policies, or procedures for which the negative effects on Iowa’s economy, on small businesses, and on workers in this state outweighs the intended benefits of the rules, policies, or procedures.
   4.
  TERMINATION.  The commission shall terminate upon submission of its report to the general assembly.
EXPLANATION
   This bill creates the red tape commission. The commission’s purpose is to review state law to assess the effects of such laws on Iowa’s economy and determine whether the resulting burdens on small businesses and workers outweigh the intended benefits. The commission is to recommend changes in the laws relating to Iowa’s small businesses. This bill defines the commission’s membership, mandates at least three public hearings throughout Iowa, and establishes basic rules for the commission.
   The commission terminates upon submission of its report.