Specific authority in law for rulemaking requirement

Minnesota Senate Bill SF2063, introduced in 2025, aimed to require state agencies to have explicit legal authorization before creating, amending, or repealing rules. This means agencies couldn't make or change rules unless a specific law allowed them to do so. The bill also stated that if a law granting rulemaking authority was repealed, any rules made under that law would automatically be repealed unless another law supported them. The bill was set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and would apply to rules adopted on or after that date.

Supporters of SF2063 argued that the bill would enhance legislative oversight and accountability by ensuring that state agencies only create rules when explicitly authorized by law. They believed this would prevent agencies from overstepping their authority and ensure that rulemaking aligns closely with legislative intent.

Critics of SF2063 contended that the bill could hinder the efficiency of state agencies by adding bureaucratic hurdles to the rulemaking process. They expressed concern that requiring explicit legislative authorization for each rule could slow down the implementation of necessary regulations and reduce the flexibility of agencies to respond to emerging issues.