New York is beginning a "regulatory reset," which Governor Kathy Hochul describes as the most comprehensive review of laws and regulations in the state's history. This comes after Hochul signed an executive order on Wednesday. She says the review is the next step in the EXPRESS NY initiative, which is geared towards improving functioning and efficiency in state government. Under the executive order, state agencies are being directed to review the following opportunities for modernization and reform:
- Outdated requirements in regulations that add unnecessary burdens for New Yorkers, including requiring people to mail or fax information, submit wet signatures or multiple physical copies of documents, file information in person, or notarize documents.
- Burdensome fees and fines imposed on individuals and small businesses which drive up costs without generating meaningful revenue for the state.
- Mandated reports and boards, commissions, and councils that state agencies are dedicating significant resources to, but no longer serve the public interest.
Hochul says reforms will be advanced either through the regulatory and rulemaking process or through statutory updates to be developed in collaboration with the New York State Legislature. The first wave of actions taken in the “Regulatory Reset” are expected to be announced later this year. In June, Hochul announced an initial wave of 50 significant actions across 22 state agencies to remove or modernize outdated regulations that slowed service delivery or created unnecessary barriers between New Yorkers and government services they rely on.
