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H.B. 27 Enrolled

                 

ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT SERVICES AMENDMENTS -

                 
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND PROCEDURES

                 
2001 GENERAL SESSION

                 
STATE OF UTAH

                 
Sponsor: Richard M. Siddoway

                  This act modifies the Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act and the Administrative
                  Procedures Act by amending statutory language to facilitate the electronic delivery of
                  government services by governmental agencies. The act provides definitions for purposes
                  of electronic records in governmental agencies. The act amends provisions relating to the
                  cost of rulemaking publications.
                  This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
                  AMENDS:
                      26-1-5, as enacted by Chapter 126, Laws of Utah 1981
                      63-46a-2, as last amended by Chapter 60, Laws of Utah 1996
                      63-46a-3, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1998
                      63-46a-4, as last amended by Chapter 219, Laws of Utah 1998
                      63-46a-6, as last amended by Chapter 60, Laws of Utah 1996
                      63-46a-7, as last amended by Chapter 219, Laws of Utah 1998
                      63-46a-10, as last amended by Chapter 60, Laws of Utah 1996
                      63-46a-10.5, as last amended by Chapter 219, Laws of Utah 1998
                      63-46a-11, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1998
                      63-46a-12.1, as enacted by Chapter 224, Laws of Utah 1990
                      63-46b-3, as last amended by Chapter 72, Laws of Utah 1988
                      63-46b-6, as last amended by Chapter 72, Laws of Utah 1988
                      63-46b-9, as enacted by Chapter 161, Laws of Utah 1987
                      63-46b-10, as last amended by Chapter 72, Laws of Utah 1988
                      63-46b-12, as last amended by Chapter 72, Laws of Utah 1988
                      63-46b-13, as last amended by Chapter 72, Laws of Utah 1988
                      63-46b-15, as last amended by Chapter 164, Laws of Utah 1999


                  ENACTS:
                      46-4-502, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      63-46a-17, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                      63-46b-23, Utah Code Annotated 1953
                  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
                      Section 1. Section 26-1-5 is amended to read:
                       26-1-5. Rules of department.
                      (1) Except in areas regulated by statutory committees created by this title, the department
                  shall have the power to adopt, amend, or rescind rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this
                  title.
                      (2) Rules shall have the force and effect of law and may deal with matters which materially
                  affect the security of health or the preservation and improvement of public health in the state, and
                  any matters as to which jurisdiction is conferred upon the department by this title.
                      (3) Every rule adopted by the department pursuant to this section, or a committee established
                  under Section 26-1-7 or 26-1-7.5 , shall be subject to [the] Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
                  Rulemaking Act[,] and shall become effective at the time and in the manner provided in [the Utah
                  Administrative Rulemaking Act, and shall be signed by the executive director] that act.
                      [(4) At the time a rule adopted by the department or a committee established by Section
                  26-1-7 or 26-1-7.5 , is filed with the state archivist it shall also be filed with the legislative research
                  director.]
                      [(5)] (4) If, at the next general session of the legislature following the filing of a rule with
                  the legislative research director, the legislature passes a bill disapproving such rule, the rule shall be
                  null and void.
                      [(6)] (5) The department or a committee created under Section 26-1-7 or 26-1-7.5 , shall not
                  adopt a rule identical to a rule disapproved under Subsection [(5)] (4) of this section, before the
                  beginning of the next general session of the legislature following the general session at which the
                  rule was disapproved.
                      Section 2. Section 46-4-502 is enacted to read:

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                      46-4-502. Definitions.
                      For purposes of this part:
                      (1) "Copy" may include an electronic version of a document.
                      (2) "Mail" may include sending a document electronically, provided that the recipient can
                  accept and process the electronic writing.
                      (3) "Mailing address" may include an electronic mailing address capable of receiving and
                  processing an electronic writing.
                      (4) "Sign" or "signature" may include any form of electronic signature authorized by the
                  governmental agency.
                      (5) "Written" or "writing" means information that is:
                      (a) inscribed on a tangible medium; or
                      (b) stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable.
                      Section 3. Section 63-46a-2 is amended to read:
                       63-46a-2. Definitions.
                      As used in this chapter:
                      (1) "Administrative record" means information an agency relies upon when making a rule
                  under this chapter including [copies of]:
                      (a) the proposed rule, change in the proposed rule, and the rule analysis form;
                      (b) the public comment received and recorded by the agency during the public comment
                  period;
                      (c) the agency's response to the public comment;
                      (d) the agency's analysis of the public comment; and
                      (e) the agency's report of its decision-making process.
                      (2) "Agency" means each state board, authority, commission, institution, department,
                  division, officer, or other state government entity other than the Legislature, its committees, the
                  political subdivisions of the state, or the courts, which is authorized or required by law to make rules,
                  adjudicate, grant or withhold licenses, grant or withhold relief from legal obligations, or perform
                  other similar actions or duties delegated by law.

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                      (3) "Bulletin" means the Utah State Bulletin.
                      (4) "Catchline" means a short summary of each section, part, rule, or title of the code that
                  follows the section, part, rule, or title reference placed before the text of the rule and serves the same
                  function as boldface in legislation as described in Section 68-3-13 .
                      (5) "Code" means the body of all effective rules as compiled and organized by the division
                  and entitled "Utah Administrative Code."
                      (6) "Director" means the director of the Division of Administrative Rules.
                      (7) "Division" means the Division of Administrative Rules.
                      (8) "Effective" means operative and enforceable.
                      (9) (a) "File" means to submit a document to the division as prescribed by [this chapter] the
                  division.
                      (b) "Filing date" means the day and time the document is recorded as received by the
                  division.
                      (10) "Interested person" means any person affected by or interested in a proposed rule,
                  amendment to an existing rule, or a nonsubstantive change made under Section 63-46a-10 .
                      (11) "Order" means an agency action that determines the legal rights, duties, privileges,
                  immunities, or other interests of one or more specific persons, but not a class of persons.
                      (12) "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental
                  entity, or public or private organization of any character other than an agency.
                      (13) (a) "Policy" means a statement applying to persons or agencies that:
                      (i) broadly prescribes a future course of action, guidelines, principles, or procedures; or
                      (ii) prescribes the internal management of an agency.
                      (b) A policy is a rule if it conforms to the definition of a rule.
                      (14) "Publication" or "publish" means making a rule available to the public by [printing]
                  including the rule or a summary of the rule in the bulletin.
                      (15) "Publication date" means the inscribed date of the bulletin.
                      (16) "Register" may include an electronic database.
                      [(16)] (17) (a) "Rule" means an agency's written statement that:

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                      (i) is explicitly or implicitly required by state or federal statute or other applicable law;
                      (ii) has the effect of law;
                      (iii) implements or interprets a state or federal legal mandate; and
                      (iv) applies to a class of persons or another agency.
                      (b) "Rule" includes the amendment or repeal of an existing rule.
                      (c) "Rule" does not mean:
                      (i) orders;
                      (ii) unenforceable policies;
                      (iii) internal management policies of the agency that do not restrict the legal rights of a class
                  of persons or another agency;
                      (iv) the governor's executive orders or proclamations;
                      (v) opinions issued by the attorney general's office;
                      (vi) declaratory rulings issued by the agency according to [the provisions of] Section
                  63-46b-21 except as required by Section 63-46a-3 ; or
                      (vii) rulings by an agency in adjudicative proceedings, except as required by Subsection
                  63-46a-3 (6).
                      [(17)] (18) "Rule analysis" means the format prescribed by the division to summarize and
                  analyze rules.
                      [(18)] (19) "Substantive change" means a change in a rule that affects the application or
                  results of agency actions.
                      Section 4. Section 63-46a-3 is amended to read:
                       63-46a-3. When rulemaking is required.
                      (1) Each agency shall:
                      (a) maintain a [complete copy] current version of its [current] rules; and
                      (b) make it available to the public for inspection during its regular business hours.
                      (2) In addition to other rulemaking required by law, each agency shall make rules when
                  agency action:
                      (a) authorizes, requires, or prohibits an action;

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                      (b) provides or prohibits a material benefit;
                      (c) applies to a class of persons or another agency; and
                      (d) is explicitly or implicitly authorized by statute.
                      (3) Rulemaking is also required when an agency issues a written interpretation of a state or
                  federal legal mandate.
                      (4) Rulemaking is not required when:
                      (a) agency action applies only to internal agency management, inmates or residents of a state
                  correctional, diagnostic, or detention facility, persons under state legal custody, patients admitted to
                  a state hospital, members of the state retirement system, or students enrolled in a state education
                  institution;
                      (b) a standardized agency manual applies only to internal fiscal or administrative details of
                  governmental entities supervised under statute;
                      (c) an agency issues policy or other statements that are advisory, informative, or descriptive,
                  and do not conform to the requirements of Subsections (2) and (3); or
                      (d) an agency makes nonsubstantive changes in a rule, except that the agency shall file all
                  nonsubstantive changes in a rule with the division.
                      (5) A rule shall enumerate any penalty authorized by statute that may result from its
                  violation.
                      (6) Each agency shall enact rules incorporating the principles of law not already in its rules
                  that are established by final adjudicative decisions within 120 days after the decision is announced
                  in its cases.
                      (7) (a) Each agency may enact a rule that incorporates by reference:
                      (i) all or any part of another code, rule, or regulation that has been adopted by a federal
                  agency, an agency or political subdivision of this state, an agency of another state, or by a nationally
                  recognized organization or association;
                      (ii) state agency implementation plans mandated by the federal government for participation
                  in the federal program;
                      (iii) lists, tables, illustrations, or similar materials that are subject to frequent change, fully

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                  described in the rule, and are available for public inspection; or
                      (iv) lists, tables, illustrations, or similar materials that the director determines are too
                  expensive to reproduce in the administrative code.
                      (b) Rules incorporating materials by reference shall:
                      (i) be enacted according to the procedures outlined in this chapter;
                      (ii) state that the referenced material is incorporated by reference;
                      (iii) state the date, issue, or version of the material being incorporated; and
                      (iv) define specifically what material is incorporated by reference and identify any agency
                  deviations from it.
                      (c) The agency shall identify any substantive changes in the material incorporated by
                  reference by following the rulemaking procedures of this chapter.
                      (d) The agency shall maintain a complete and current copy of the referenced material
                  available for public [inspection] review at the agency and at the division.
                      (8) (a) This chapter is not intended to inhibit the exercise of agency discretion within the
                  limits prescribed by statute or agency rule.
                      (b) An agency may enact a rule creating a justified exception to a rule.
                      (9) An agency may obtain assistance from the attorney general to ensure that its rules meet
                  legal and constitutional requirements.
                      Section 5. Section 63-46a-4 is amended to read:
                       63-46a-4. Rulemaking procedure.
                      (1) Except as provided in Sections 63-46a-6 and 63-46a-7 , when making, amending, or
                  repealing a rule agencies shall comply with:
                      (a) the requirements of this section;
                      (b) consistent procedures required by other statutes;
                      (c) applicable federal mandates; and
                      (d) rules made by the division to implement this chapter.
                      (2) Subject to the requirements of this chapter, each agency shall develop and use flexible
                  approaches in drafting rules that meet the needs of the agency and that involve persons affected by

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                  the agency's rules.
                      (3) (a) Each agency shall file its proposed rule and rule analysis with the division.
                      (b) [(i)] Rule amendments shall be marked with new language underlined and deleted
                  language struck out.
                      [(ii) Alternatively, the repeal of an entire rule may be indicated by annotating the rule
                  "repealed in its entirety" prominently on every page.]
                      (c) (i) The division shall publish the information required under Subsection (3) on the rule
                  analysis and the text of the proposed rule in the next issue of the bulletin.
                      (ii) For rule amendments, only the section or subsection of the rule being amended need be
                  printed.
                      (iii) If the director determines that the rule is too long to publish, the director shall publish
                  the rule analysis and shall publish the rule by reference to a copy on file with the division.
                      (4) Prior to filing a rule with the division, the department head shall consider and comment
                  on the fiscal impact a rule may have on businesses.
                      (5) The rule analysis shall contain:
                      (a) a summary of the rule or change;
                      (b) the purpose of the rule or reason for the change;
                      (c) the statutory authority or federal requirement for the rule;
                      (d) the anticipated cost or savings to:
                      (i) the state budget;
                      (ii) local governments; and
                      (iii) other persons;
                      (e) the compliance cost for affected persons;
                      (f) how interested persons may [inspect] review the full text of the rule;
                      (g) how interested persons may present their views on the rule;
                      (h) the time and place of any scheduled public hearing;
                      (i) the name and telephone number of an agency employee who may be contacted about the
                  rule;

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                      (j) the name of the agency head or designee who authorized the rule;
                      (k) the date on which the rule may become effective following the public comment period;
                  and
                      (l) comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses.
                      (6) (a) For a rule being repealed and reenacted, the rule analysis shall contain a summary that
                  generally includes the following:
                      (i) a summary of substantive provisions in the repealed rule which are eliminated from the
                  enacted rule; and
                      (ii) a summary of new substantive provisions appearing only in the enacted rule.
                      (b) The summary required under this Subsection (6) is to aid in review and may not be used
                  to contest any rule on the ground of noncompliance with the procedural requirements of this chapter.
                      (7) A copy of the rule analysis shall be mailed to all persons who have made timely request
                  of the agency for advance notice of its rulemaking proceedings and to any other person who, by
                  statutory or federal mandate or in the judgment of the agency, should also receive notice.
                      (8) Following the publication date, the agency shall allow at least 30 days for public
                  comment on the rule.
                      (9) (a) Except as provided in Sections 63-46a-6 and 63-46a-7 , a proposed rule becomes
                  effective on any date specified by the agency that is no fewer than 30 nor more than 120 days after
                  the publication date.
                      (b) The agency shall provide notice of the rule's effective date to the division in the form
                  required by the division.
                      (c) The notice of effective date may not provide for an effective date prior to the date it is
                  received by the division.
                      (d) The division shall publish notice of the effective date of the rule in the next issue of the
                  bulletin.
                      (e) A proposed rule lapses if a notice of effective date or a change to a proposed rule is not
                  filed with the division within 120 days of publication.
                      Section 6. Section 63-46a-6 is amended to read:

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                       63-46a-6. Changes in rules.
                      (1) (a) To change a proposed rule already published in the bulletin, an agency shall file with
                  the division:
                      (i) [a copy] the text of the changed rule; and
                      (ii) a rule analysis containing a description of the change and the information required by
                  Section 63-46a-4 .
                      (b) A change to a proposed rule may not be filed more than 120 days after publication of the
                  rule being changed.
                      (c) The division shall publish the rule analysis for the changed rule in the bulletin.
                      (d) The changed proposed rule and its associated proposed rule will become effective on a
                  date specified by the agency, not less than 30 days or more than 120 days after publication of the last
                  change in proposed rule.
                      (e) A changed proposed rule and its associated proposed rule lapse if a notice of effective
                  date or another change to a proposed rule is not filed with the division within 120 days of publication
                  of the last change in proposed rule.
                      (2) If the rule change is nonsubstantive:
                      (a) the agency need not comply with the requirements of Subsection (1); and
                      (b) the agency shall notify the division of the change in writing.
                      (3) If the rule is effective, the agency shall amend the rule according to the procedures
                  specified in Section 63-46a-4 .
                      Section 7. Section 63-46a-7 is amended to read:
                       63-46a-7. Exceptions to rulemaking procedure.
                      (1) All agencies shall comply with the rulemaking procedures of Section 63-46a-4 unless
                  an agency finds that these procedures would:
                      (a) cause an imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare;
                      (b) cause an imminent budget reduction because of budget restraints or federal requirements;
                  or
                      (c) place the agency in violation of federal or state law.

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                      (2) (a) When finding that its rule is excepted from regular rulemaking procedures by this
                  section, the agency shall file with the division:
                      (i) [a copy] the text of the rule; and
                      (ii) a rule analysis that includes the specific reasons and justifications for its findings.
                      (b) The division shall publish the rule in the bulletin as provided in Subsection 63-46a-4 (3).
                      (c) The agency shall notify interested persons as provided in Subsection 63-46a-4 (7).
                      (d) The rule becomes effective for a period not exceeding 120 days on the date of filing or
                  any later date designated in the rule.
                      (3) If the agency intends the rule to be effective beyond 120 days, the agency shall also
                  comply with the procedures of Section 63-46a-4 .
                      Section 8. Section 63-46a-10 is amended to read:
                       63-46a-10. Division of Administrative Rules -- Duties generally.
                      (1) The Division of Administrative Rules shall:
                      (a) establish all filing, publication, and hearing procedures necessary to make rules under
                  this chapter;
                      (b) record in a register the receipt of all agency rules, rule analysis forms, and notices of
                  effective dates;
                      (c) make the register, copies of all proposed rules, and rulemaking documents available for
                  public inspection;
                      (d) publish all proposed rules, rule analyses, notices of effective dates, and review notices
                  in the bulletin at least monthly, except that the division may publish the complete text of any
                  proposed rule that the director determines is too long to print or too expensive to publish by
                  reference to [a copy on file] the text maintained by the division;
                      (e) compile, format, number, and index all effective rules in an administrative code, and
                  periodically publish that code and supplements or revisions to it;
                      (f) publish a digest[, at least monthly, summarizing] of all rules and notices [printed]
                  contained in the most recent bulletin;
                      (g) publish at least annually an index of all changes to the administrative code and the

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                  effective date of each change;
                      (h) print, or contract to print, all rulemaking publications the division determines necessary
                  to implement this chapter;
                      (i) distribute without charge [copies of] the bulletin and administrative code to
                  state-designated repositories, the Administrative Rules Review Committee, the Office of Legislative
                  Research and General Counsel, and the two houses of the Legislature;
                      (j) distribute without charge [copies of] the digest and index to state legislators, agencies,
                  political subdivisions on request, and the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel;
                      (k) distribute, at prices covering [all] publication costs, all paper rulemaking publications
                  to all other requesting persons and agencies;
                      (l) provide agencies assistance in rulemaking; and
                      (m) administer this chapter and require state agencies to comply with filing, publication, and
                  hearing procedures.
                      (2) The division may after notifying the agency make nonsubstantive changes to rules filed
                  with the division or published in the bulletin or code by:
                      (a) implementing a uniform system of formatting, punctuation, capitalization, organization,
                  numbering, and wording;
                      (b) correcting obvious errors and inconsistencies in punctuation, capitalization, numbering,
                  referencing, and wording;
                      (c) changing a catchline to more accurately reflect the substance of each section, part, rule,
                  or title;
                      (d) updating or correcting annotations associated with a section, part, rule, or title; and
                      (e) merging or determining priority of any amendment, enactment, or repeal to the same rule
                  or section made effective by an agency.
                      (3) In addition, the division may make the following nonsubstantive changes with the
                  concurrence of the agency:
                      (a) eliminate duplication within rules;
                      (b) eliminate obsolete and redundant words; and

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                      (c) correcting defective or inconsistent section and paragraph structure in arrangement of the
                  subject matter of rules.
                      (4) For nonsubstantive changes made in accordance with Subsection (2) or (3) after
                  publication of the rule in the bulletin, the division shall publish a list of nonsubstantive changes in
                  the bulletin. For each nonsubstantive change, the list shall include:
                      (a) the affected code citation;
                      (b) a brief description of the change; and
                      (c) the date the change was made.
                      (5) All funds appropriated or collected for publishing the division's publications shall be
                  nonlapsing.
                      Section 9. Section 63-46a-10.5 is amended to read:
                       63-46a-10.5. Repeal and reenactment of Utah Administrative Code.
                      (1) When the director determines that the Utah Administrative Code requires extensive
                  revision and reorganization, the division may repeal the code and reenact a new code according to
                  the requirements of this section.
                      (2) The division may:
                      (a) reorganize, reformat, and renumber the code;
                      (b) require each agency to review its rules and make any organizational or substantive
                  changes according to the requirements of Section 63-46a-6 ; and
                      (c) require each agency to prepare a brief summary of all substantive changes made by the
                  agency.
                      (3) The division may make nonsubstantive changes in the code by:
                      (a) adopting a uniform system of punctuation, capitalization, numbering, and wording;
                      (b) eliminating duplication;
                      (c) correcting defective or inconsistent section and paragraph structure in arrangement of the
                  subject matter of rules;
                      (d) eliminating all obsolete or redundant words;
                      (e) correcting obvious errors and inconsistencies in punctuation, capitalization, numbering,

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                  referencing, and wording;
                      (f) changing a catchline to more accurately reflect the substance of each section, part, rule,
                  or title;
                      (g) updating or correcting annotations associated with a section, part, rule, or title; and
                      (h) merging or determining priority of any amendment, enactment, or repeal to the same rule
                  or section made effective by an agency.
                      (4) (a) To inform the public about the proposed code reenactment, the division shall publish
                  in the bulletin:
                      (i) notice of the code reenactment;
                      (ii) the date, time, and place of a public hearing where members of the public may comment
                  on the proposed reenactment of the code;
                      (iii) locations where the proposed reenactment of the code may be [inspected] reviewed; and
                      (iv) agency summaries of substantive changes in the reenacted code.
                      (b) To inform the public about substantive changes in agency rules contained in the proposed
                  reenactment, each agency shall:
                      (i) make [copies] the text of their reenacted rules available:
                      (A) for public [inspection] review during regular business hours; and
                      (B) in an electronic version; and
                      (ii) comply with the requirements of Subsection 63-46a-4 (7).
                      (5) The division shall hold a public hearing on the proposed code reenactment no fewer than
                  30 days nor more than 45 days after the publication required by Subsection (3)(a).
                      (6) The division shall distribute complete [copies] text of the proposed code reenactment
                  without charge to:
                      (a) state-designated repositories in Utah;
                      (b) the Administrative Rules Review Committee; and
                      (c) the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.
                      (7) The former code is repealed and the reenacted code is effective at noon on a date
                  designated by the division that is not fewer than 45 days nor more than 90 days after the publication

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                  date required by this section.
                      (8) Repeal and reenactment of the code meets the requirements of Section 63-46a-9 for a
                  review of all agency rules.
                      Section 10. Section 63-46a-11 is amended to read:
                       63-46a-11. Administrative Rules Review Committee.
                      (1) (a) There is created an Administrative Rules Review Committee of ten permanent
                  members and four ex officio members.
                      (b) (i) The committee's permanent members shall be composed of five members of the
                  Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate, and five members of the House, appointed by the
                  speaker of the House, with no more than three senators and three representatives from the same
                  political party.
                      (ii) The permanent members shall convene at least once each month as a committee to
                  review new agency rules, amendments to existing agency rules, and repeals of existing agency rules.
                  Meetings may be suspended at the discretion of the committee chairs.
                      (iii) Members shall serve for two-year terms or until their successors are appointed.
                      (iv) A vacancy exists whenever a committee member ceases to be a member of the
                  Legislature, or when a member resigns from the committee. Vacancies shall be filled by the
                  appointing authority, and the replacement shall serve out the unexpired term.
                      (c) When the committee reviews existing rules, the committee's permanent members shall
                  invite the Senate and House chairmen of the standing committee and the Senate and House chairmen
                  of the appropriation subcommittee that have jurisdiction over the agency whose existing rules are
                  being reviewed to participate as nonvoting, ex officio members with the committee.
                      (d) Three representatives and three senators from the permanent members are a quorum for
                  the transaction of business at any meeting.
                      (2) Each agency rule as defined in Section 63-46a-2 shall be submitted to the committee at
                  the same time public notice is given under Section 63-46a-4 .
                      (3) (a) The committee shall exercise continuous oversight of the process of rulemaking.
                      (b) The committee shall examine rules submitted by each agency to determine:

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                      (i) whether or not they are authorized by statute;
                      (ii) whether or not they comply with legislative intent;
                      (iii) their impact on the economy and the government operations of the state and local
                  political subdivisions; and
                      (iv) their impact on affected persons.
                      (c) To carry out these duties, the committee may examine any other issues that it considers
                  necessary. The committee may also notify and refer rules to the chairmen of the interim committee
                  which has jurisdiction over a particular agency when the committee determines that an issue
                  involved in an agency's rules may be more appropriately addressed by that committee.
                      (d) In reviewing the rules, the committee shall follow generally accepted principles of
                  statutory construction.
                      (4) The committee may request that the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst prepare a
                  fiscal note on any rule.
                      (5) In order to accomplish its oversight functions, the committee has all the powers granted
                  to legislative interim committees as set forth in Section 36-12-11 .
                      (6) (a) The committee may prepare written findings of its review of each rule and may
                  include any recommendations, including legislative action.
                      (b) The committee shall provide to the agency that enacted the rule:
                      (i) [a copy of] its findings, if any; and
                      (ii) a request that the agency notify the committee of any changes it makes in the rule.
                      (c) The committee shall provide [a copy of] its findings to any member of the Legislature
                  and to any person affected by the rule who requests [a copy] the findings.
                      (d) The committee shall provide [a copy of] its findings to the presiding officers of both the
                  House and the Senate, Senate and House [chairmen] chair of the standing committee, and the Senate
                  and House chairmen of the Appropriation Subcommittee that have jurisdiction over the agency
                  whose rules are the subject of the findings.
                      (7) (a) The committee may submit a report on its review of state agency rules to each
                  member of the Legislature at each regular session.

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                      (b) The report shall include:
                      (i) the findings and recommendations made by the committee under Subsection (6);
                      (ii) any action taken by an agency in response to committee recommendations; and
                      (iii) any recommendations by the committee for legislation.
                      Section 11. Section 63-46a-12.1 is amended to read:
                       63-46a-12.1. Judicial challenge to administrative rules.
                      (1) (a) Any person aggrieved by a rule may obtain judicial review of the rule by filing a
                  complaint with the county clerk in the district court where the person resides or in the district court
                  in Salt Lake County.
                      (b) Any person aggrieved by an agency's failure to comply with Section 63-46a-3 may obtain
                  judicial review of the agency's failure to comply by filing a complaint with the clerk of the district
                  court where the person resides or in the district court in Salt Lake County.
                      (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), a person seeking judicial review under this
                  section shall exhaust [his] that person's administrative remedies by complying with the requirements
                  of Section 63-46a-12 before filing the complaint.
                      (b) When seeking judicial review of a rule, the person need not exhaust [his] that person's
                  administrative remedies if:
                      (i) less than six months has passed since the date that the rule became effective and the
                  person had submitted verbal or written comments on the rule to the agency during the public
                  comment period;
                      (ii) a statute granting rulemaking authority expressly exempts rules made under authority of
                  that statute from compliance with Section 63-46a-12 ; or
                      (iii) compliance with Section 63-46a-12 would cause the person irreparable harm.
                      (3) (a) [Besides] In addition to the information required by the Utah Rules of Civil
                  Procedure, a complaint filed under this section shall contain:
                      (i) the name and mailing address of the plaintiff;
                      (ii) the name and mailing address of the defendant agency;
                      (iii) the name and mailing address of any other party joined in the action as a defendant;

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                      (iv) [a copy] the text of the rule or proposed rule, if any;
                      (v) an allegation that [he] the person filing the complaint has either exhausted the
                  administrative remedies by complying with Section 63-46a-12 or met the requirements for waiver
                  of exhaustion of administrative remedies established by Subsection (2)(b);
                      (vi) the relief sought; and
                      (vii) factual and legal allegations supporting the relief sought.
                      (b) (i) The plaintiff shall serve a summons and a copy of the complaint as required by the
                  Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
                      (ii) The defendants shall file a responsive pleading as required by the Utah Rules of Civil
                  Procedures.
                      (iii) The agency shall file the administrative record of the rule, if any, with its responsive
                  pleading.
                      (4) The district court may grant relief to the petitioner by:
                      (a) declaring the rule invalid, if the court finds that:
                      (i) the rule violates constitutional or statutory law or the agency does not have legal authority
                  to make the rule;
                      (ii) the rule is not supported by substantial evidence when viewed in light of the whole
                  administrative record; or
                      (iii) the agency did not follow proper rulemaking procedure;
                      (b) declaring the rule nonapplicable to the petitioner;
                      (c) remanding the matter to the agency for compliance with proper rulemaking procedures
                  or further fact-finding;
                      (d) ordering the agency to comply with Section 63-46a-3 ;
                      (e) issuing a judicial stay or injunction to enjoin the agency from illegal action or action that
                  would cause irreparable harm to the petitioner; or
                      (f) any combination of Subsections (4)(a) through (e).
                      (5) If the plaintiff meets the requirements of Subsection (2)(b), the district court may review
                  and act on a complaint under this section whether or not the plaintiff has requested the agency review

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                  under Section 63-46a-12 .
                      Section 12. Section 63-46a-17 is enacted to read:
                      63-46a-17. Electronic records and conversion of written records by governmental
                  agencies.
                      A governmental agency may make rules regarding electronic records and conversion of
                  written records as prescribed by Title 46, Chapter 4, Part 5, Electronic Records in Government
                  Agencies.
                      Section 13. Section 63-46b-3 is amended to read:
                       63-46b-3. Commencement of adjudicative proceedings.
                      (1) Except as otherwise permitted by Section 63-46b-20 , all adjudicative proceedings shall
                  be commenced by either:
                      (a) a notice of agency action, if proceedings are commenced by the agency; or
                      (b) a request for agency action, if proceedings are commenced by persons other than the
                  agency.
                      (2) A notice of agency action shall be filed and served according to the following
                  requirements:
                      (a) The notice of agency action shall be in writing, signed by a presiding officer, and shall
                  include:
                      (i) the names and mailing addresses of all persons to whom notice is being given by the
                  presiding officer, and the name, title, and mailing address of any attorney or employee who has been
                  designated to appear for the agency;
                      (ii) the agency's file number or other reference number;
                      (iii) the name of the adjudicative proceeding;
                      (iv) the date that the notice of agency action was mailed;
                      (v) a statement of whether the adjudicative proceeding is to be conducted informally
                  according to the provisions of rules adopted under Sections 63-46b-4 and 63-46b-5 , or formally
                  according to the provisions of Sections 63-46b-6 to 63-46b-11 ;
                      (vi) if the adjudicative proceeding is to be formal, a statement that each respondent must file

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                  a written response within 30 days of the mailing date of the notice of agency action;
                      (vii) if the adjudicative proceeding is to be formal, or if a hearing is required by statute or
                  rule, a statement of the time and place of any scheduled hearing, a statement of the purpose for which
                  the hearing is to be held, and a statement that a party who fails to attend or participate in the hearing
                  may be held in default;
                      (viii) if the adjudicative proceeding is to be informal and a hearing is required by statute or
                  rule, or if a hearing is permitted by rule and may be requested by a party within the time prescribed
                  by rule, a statement that the parties may request a hearing within the time provided by the agency's
                  rules;
                      (ix) a statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the adjudicative
                  proceeding is to be maintained;
                      (x) the name, title, mailing address, and telephone number of the presiding officer; and
                      (xi) a statement of the purpose of the adjudicative proceeding and, to the extent known by
                  the presiding officer, the questions to be decided.
                      (b) When adjudicative proceedings are commenced by the agency, the agency shall:
                      (i) mail the notice of agency action to each party;
                      (ii) publish the notice of agency action, if required by statute; and
                      (iii) mail the notice of agency action to any other person who has a right to notice under
                  statute or rule.
                      (3) (a) Where the law applicable to the agency permits persons other than the agency to
                  initiate adjudicative proceedings, that person's request for agency action shall be in writing and
                  signed by the person invoking the jurisdiction of the agency, or by [his] that person's representative,
                  and shall include:
                      (i) the names and addresses of all persons to whom a copy of the request for agency action
                  is being sent;
                      (ii) the agency's file number or other reference number, if known;
                      (iii) the date that the request for agency action was mailed;
                      (iv) a statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which agency action is

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                  requested;
                      (v) a statement of the relief or action sought from the agency; and
                      (vi) a statement of the facts and reasons forming the basis for relief or agency action.
                      (b) The person requesting agency action shall file the request with the agency and shall
                  [send] mail a copy [by mail] to each person known to have a direct interest in the requested agency
                  action.
                      (c) An agency may, by rule, prescribe one or more [printed] forms eliciting the information
                  required by Subsection (3)(a) to serve as the request for agency action when completed and filed by
                  the person requesting agency action.
                      (d) The presiding officer shall promptly review a request for agency action and shall:
                      (i) notify the requesting party in writing that the request is granted and that the adjudicative
                  proceeding is completed;
                      (ii) notify the requesting party in writing that the request is denied and, if the proceeding is
                  a formal adjudicative proceeding, that the party may request a hearing before the agency to challenge
                  the denial; or
                      (iii) notify the requesting party that further proceedings are required to determine the
                  agency's response to the request.
                      (e) (i) Any notice required by Subsection (3)(d)(ii) shall contain the information required by
                  Subsection 63-46b-5 (1)(i) in addition to disclosure required by Subsection (3)(d)(ii) [of this section].
                      (ii) The agency shall mail any notice required by Subsection (3)(d) to all parties, except that
                  any notice required by Subsection (3)(d)(iii) may be published when publication is required by
                  statute.
                      (iii) The notice required by Subsection (3)(d)(iii) shall:
                      (A) give the agency's file number or other reference number;
                      (B) give the name of the proceeding;
                      (C) designate whether the proceeding is one of a category to be conducted informally
                  according to the provisions of rules enacted under Sections 63-46b-4 and 63-46b-5 , with citation to
                  the applicable rule authorizing that designation, or formally according to [the provisions of] Sections

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                  63-46b-6 to 63-46b-11 ;
                      (D) in the case of a formal adjudicative proceeding, and where respondent parties are known,
                  state that a written response must be filed within 30 days of the date of the agency's notice if mailed,
                  or within 30 days of the last publication date of the agency's notice, if published;
                      (E) if the adjudicative proceeding is to be formal, or if a hearing is to be held in an informal
                  adjudicative proceeding, state the time and place of any scheduled hearing, the purpose for which
                  the hearing is to be held, and that a party who fails to attend or participate in a scheduled and noticed
                  hearing may be held in default;
                      (F) if the adjudicative proceeding is to be informal, and a hearing is required by statute or
                  rule, or if a hearing is permitted by rule and may be requested by a party within the time prescribed
                  by rule, state the parties' right to request a hearing and the time within which a hearing may be
                  requested under the agency's rules; and
                      (G) give the name, title, mailing address, and telephone number of the presiding officer.
                      (4) When initial agency determinations or actions are not governed by this chapter, but
                  agency and judicial review of those initial determinations or actions are subject to the provisions of
                  this chapter, the request for agency action seeking review must be filed with the agency within the
                  time prescribed by the agency's rules.
                      (5) For designated classes of adjudicative proceedings, an agency may, by rule, provide for
                  a longer response time than allowed by this section, and may provide for a shorter response time if
                  required or permitted by applicable federal law.
                      (6) Unless the agency provides otherwise by rule or order, applications for licenses filed
                  under authority of Title 32A, Chapters 3, Packaging Agencies, 4, Public Liquor License, and 5,
                  Private Club Liquor License are not considered to be a request for agency action under this chapter.
                      (7) If the purpose of the adjudicative proceeding is to award a license or other privilege as
                  to which there are multiple competing applicants, the agency may, by rule or order, conduct a single
                  adjudicative proceeding to determine the award of that license or privilege.
                      Section 14. Section 63-46b-6 is amended to read:
                       63-46b-6. Procedures for formal adjudicative proceedings -- Responsive pleadings.

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                      (1) In all formal adjudicative proceedings, unless modified by rule according to Subsection
                  63-46b-3 (5), the respondent, if any, shall file and serve a written response signed by the respondent
                  or [his] the respondent's representative within 30 days of the mailing date or last date of publication
                  of the notice of agency action or the notice under Subsection 63-46b-3 (3)(d), which shall include:
                      (a) the agency's file number or other reference number;
                      (b) the name of the adjudicative proceeding;
                      (c) a statement of the relief that the respondent seeks;
                      (d) a statement of the facts; and
                      (e) a statement summarizing the reasons that the relief requested should be granted.
                      (2) [The response shall be filed with the agency and one copy shall be sent by mail to each
                  party] The respondent shall send a copy of the response filed under Subsection (1) to each party.
                      (3) The presiding officer, or the agency by rule, may permit or require pleadings in addition
                  to the notice of agency action, the request for agency action, and the response. All [papers]
                  documents permitted or required to be filed shall be filed with the agency and one copy shall be sent
                  [by mail] to each party.
                      Section 15. Section 63-46b-9 is amended to read:
                       63-46b-9. Procedures for formal adjudicative proceedings -- Intervention.
                      (1) Any person not a party may file a signed, written petition to intervene in a formal
                  adjudicative proceeding with the agency. The person who wishes to intervene shall mail a copy of
                  the petition to each party. The petition shall include:
                      (a) the agency's file number or other reference number;
                      (b) the name of the proceeding;
                      (c) a statement of facts demonstrating that the petitioner's legal rights or interests are
                  substantially affected by the formal adjudicative proceeding, or that the petitioner qualifies as an
                  intervenor under any provision of law; and
                      (d) a statement of the relief that the petitioner seeks from the agency.
                      (2) The presiding officer shall grant a petition for intervention if [he] the presiding officer
                  determines that:

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                      (a) the petitioner's legal interests may be substantially affected by the formal adjudicative
                  proceeding; and
                      (b) the interests of justice and the orderly and prompt conduct of the adjudicative
                  proceedings will not be materially impaired by allowing the intervention.
                      (3) (a) Any order granting or denying a petition to intervene shall be in writing and [sent by
                  mail] mailed to the petitioner and each party.
                      (b) An order permitting intervention may impose conditions on the intervenor's participation
                  in the adjudicative proceeding that are necessary for a just, orderly, and prompt conduct of the
                  adjudicative proceeding.
                      (c) The presiding officer may impose the conditions at any time after the intervention.
                      Section 16. Section 63-46b-10 is amended to read:
                       63-46b-10. Procedures for formal adjudicative proceedings -- Orders.
                      In formal adjudicative proceedings:
                      (1) Within a reasonable time after the hearing, or after the filing of any posthearing [papers]
                  documents permitted by the presiding officer, or within the time required by any applicable statute
                  or rule of the agency, the presiding officer shall sign and issue an order that includes:
                      (a) a statement of the presiding officer's findings of fact based exclusively on the evidence
                  of record in the adjudicative proceedings or on facts officially noted;
                      (b) a statement of the presiding officer's conclusions of law;
                      (c) a statement of the reasons for the presiding officer's decision;
                      (d) a statement of any relief ordered by the agency;
                      (e) a notice of the right to apply for reconsideration;
                      (f) a notice of any right to administrative or judicial review of the order available to
                  aggrieved parties; and
                      (g) the time limits applicable to any reconsideration or review.
                      (2) The presiding officer may use [his] the presiding officer's experience, technical
                  competence, and specialized knowledge to evaluate the evidence.
                      (3) [No] A finding of fact that was contested may not be based solely on hearsay evidence

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                  unless that evidence is admissible under the Utah Rules of Evidence.
                      (4) This section does not preclude the presiding officer from issuing interim orders to:
                      (a) notify the parties of further hearings;
                      (b) notify the parties of provisional rulings on a portion of the issues presented; or
                      (c) otherwise provide for the fair and efficient conduct of the adjudicative proceeding.
                      Section 17. Section 63-46b-12 is amended to read:
                       63-46b-12. Agency review -- Procedure.
                      (1) (a) If a statute or the agency's rules permit parties to any adjudicative proceeding to seek
                  review of an order by the agency or by a superior agency, the aggrieved party may file a written
                  request for review within 30 days after the issuance of the order with the person or entity designated
                  for that purpose by the statute or rule.
                      (b) The request shall:
                      (i) be signed by the party seeking review;
                      (ii) state the grounds for review and the relief requested;
                      (iii) state the date upon which it was mailed; and
                      (iv) be [sent by mail] mailed to the presiding officer and to each party.
                      (2) (a) Within 15 days of the mailing date of the request for review, or within the time period
                  provided by agency rule, whichever is longer, any party may file a response with the person
                  designated by statute or rule to receive the response. [One copy of the response shall be sent by
                  mail]
                      (b) The party who files a response under Subsection (2)(a) shall mail a copy of the response
                  to each of the parties and to the presiding officer.
                      (3) If a statute or the agency's rules require review of an order by the agency or a superior
                  agency, the agency or superior agency shall review the order within a reasonable time or within the
                  time required by statute or the agency's rules.
                      (4) To assist in review, the agency or superior agency may by order or rule permit the parties
                  to file briefs or other [papers] documents, or to conduct oral argument.
                      (5) Notice of hearings on review shall be mailed to all parties.

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                      (6) (a) Within a reasonable time after the filing of any response, other filings, or oral
                  argument, or within the time required by statute or applicable rules, the agency or superior agency
                  shall issue a written order on review.
                      (b) The order on review shall be signed by the agency head or by a person designated by the
                  agency for that purpose and shall be mailed to each party.
                      (c) The order on review shall contain:
                      (i) a designation of the statute or rule permitting or requiring review;
                      (ii) a statement of the issues reviewed;
                      (iii) findings of fact as to each of the issues reviewed;
                      (iv) conclusions of law as to each of the issues reviewed;
                      (v) the reasons for the disposition;
                      (vi) whether the decision of the presiding officer or agency is to be affirmed, reversed, or
                  modified, and whether all or any portion of the adjudicative proceeding is to be remanded;
                      (vii) a notice of any right of further administrative reconsideration or judicial review
                  available to aggrieved parties; and
                      (viii) the time limits applicable to any appeal or review.
                      Section 18. Section 63-46b-13 is amended to read:
                       63-46b-13. Agency review -- Reconsideration.
                      (1) (a) Within 20 days after the date that an order is issued for which review by the agency
                  or by a superior agency under Section 63-46b-12 is unavailable, and if the order would otherwise
                  constitute final agency action, any party may file a written request for reconsideration with the
                  agency, stating the specific grounds upon which relief is requested.
                      (b) Unless otherwise provided by statute, the filing of the request is not a prerequisite for
                  seeking judicial review of the order.
                      (2) The request for reconsideration shall be filed with the agency and one copy shall be [sent
                  by mail] mailed to each party by the person making the request.
                      (3) (a) The agency head, or a person designated for that purpose, shall issue a written order
                  granting the request or denying the request.

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                      (b) If the agency head or the person designated for that purpose does not issue an order
                  within 20 days after the filing of the request, the request for reconsideration shall be considered to
                  be denied.
                      Section 19. Section 63-46b-15 is amended to read:
                       63-46b-15. Judicial review -- Informal adjudicative proceedings.
                      (1) (a) The district courts have jurisdiction to review by trial de novo all final agency actions
                  resulting from informal adjudicative proceedings, except that the juvenile courts have jurisdiction
                  over all state agency actions relating to:
                      (i) the removal or placement of children in state custody;
                      (ii) the support of children under Subsection (1)(a)(i) as determined administratively under
                  Section 78-3a-906 ; and
                      (iii) substantiated findings of abuse or neglect pursuant to Section 62A-4a-116.5 .
                      (b) Venue for judicial review of informal adjudicative proceedings shall be as provided in
                  the statute governing the agency or, in the absence of such a venue provision, in the county where
                  the petitioner resides or maintains [his] the petitioner's principal place of business.
                      (2) (a) The petition for judicial review of informal adjudicative proceedings shall be a
                  complaint governed by the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure and shall include:
                      (i) the name and mailing address of the party seeking judicial review;
                      (ii) the name and mailing address of the respondent agency;
                      (iii) the title and date of the final agency action to be reviewed, together with a [duplicate]
                  copy, summary, or brief description of the agency action;
                      (iv) identification of the persons who were parties in the informal adjudicative proceedings
                  that led to the agency action;
                      (v) a copy of the written agency order from the informal proceeding;
                      (vi) facts demonstrating that the party seeking judicial review is entitled to obtain judicial
                  review;
                      (vii) a request for relief, specifying the type and extent of relief requested; and
                      (viii) a statement of the reasons why the petitioner is entitled to relief.

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                      (b) All additional pleadings and proceedings in the district court are governed by the Utah
                  Rules of Civil Procedure.
                      (3) (a) The district court, without a jury, shall determine all questions of fact and law and
                  any constitutional issue presented in the pleadings.
                      (b) The Utah Rules of Evidence apply in judicial proceedings under this section.
                      Section 20. Section 63-46b-23 is enacted to read:
                      63-46b-23. Electronic records and conversion of written records by governmental
                  agencies.
                      A governmental agency may make rules regarding electronic records and conversion of
                  written records as prescribed by Title 46, Chapter 4, Part 5, Electronic Records in Government
                  Agencies.

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