Raimondo signs executive order to improve R.I. regulatory climate, make state more business friendly

GOV. GINA M. RAIMONDO on Tuesday signed an executive order to make Rhode Island a more attractive place for businesses to operate. From left to right behind Raimondo, Terry Gray from the Department of Environmental Management; Sidney McCleary, director of business regulation; Jonathan Womer, director of the Office of Budget and Management; Erik Godwin, director of the Office of Regulatory Reform; and Scott Jensen, director of the Department of Labor and Training. / COURTESY GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
GOV. GINA M. RAIMONDO on Tuesday signed an executive order to make Rhode Island a more attractive place for businesses to operate. From left to right behind Raimondo, Terry Gray from the Department of Environmental Management; Sidney McCleary, director of business regulation; Jonathan Womer, director of the Office of Budget and Management; Erik Godwin, director of the Office of Regulatory Reform; and Scott Jensen, director of the Department of Labor and Training. / COURTESY GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

(Updated 2:44 p.m.) PROVIDENCE – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo signed an executive order on Tuesday designed to improve Rhode Island’s regulatory climate in an effort to make the Ocean State a more welcoming place to start and grow a business.
“I wake up every morning focused both on expanding opportunity for Rhode Islanders, and encouraging businesses to create jobs here,” Raimondo said. “We’re going to take direct aim at Rhode Island’s reputation as a difficult place to do business. Today’s action is just one step we’re taking to improve our regulatory climate in order to attract businesses to Rhode Island, and to encourage our existing companies to expand and grow.”

The executive order states that before any new regulation is written by an agency, it has to submit a draft to the Office of Management and Budget and the Executive Office of Commerce. The agency also has to prepare a cost-benefit analysis.

The goal of the order, which applies to all executive departments, boards and commissions with rule-making authority, is to make sure that regulations do not impose unnecessary burdens on businesses and residents.
The order states that rulemaking is one of the “most significant public policy actions government can take” and that “improved rulemaking provides more effective protections for public health, safety, welfare and the environment.” It also states that outdated or vague rules impose unnecessary costs and burdens on municipalities, small businesses and other regulated entities.
It states that Rhode Islanders deserve better access to regulatory information and faster government responses. The order also notes that the state Office of Regulatory Reform, in the Office of Management and Budget, submitted a report that included recommendations to improve the regulatory environment in Rhode Island.
Rules, according to the governor, shall only be adopted when deemed necessary by the public agency to serve public interest, they should be clearly written and up-to-date, shall not place an undue burden on those who must comply with them, and avoid negative business, employment and overall economic impact.

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