Regulatory Freedom Act will make government work better for Tennesseans NASHVILLE, Tenn. – House Majority Whip Clark Boyd, R-Lebanon, has filed legislation to improve government efficiency and expand opportunities for public input in Tennessee. The Regulatory Freedom Act of 2026 would require government agencies to display proposed rules on their website for at least 45 […]
Regulatory Freedom Act will make government work better for Tennesseans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – House Majority Whip Clark Boyd, R-Lebanon, has filed legislation to improve government efficiency and expand opportunities for public input in Tennessee.
The Regulatory Freedom Act of 2026 would require government agencies to display proposed rules on their website for at least 45 days before a period of public comment to provide greater transparency to Tennesseans. It would also direct state agencies to notify trade associations or organizations that may be impacted by a proposed rule change.
“Tennessee is leading the nation in improving efficiency by cutting red tape and holding the bureaucracy accountable,” said Boyd. “The Regulatory Freedom Act of 2026 will streamline government operations, boost transparency and increase trust in the Volunteer State’s institutions. This is a critical step in continued Republican efforts to cut waste and ensure all Tennesseans are being well-served.”
State agencies are currently required to produce fiscal impact statements for proposed rule changes. House Bill 1913 would require fiscal statements to be generated after a period of public comment to increase accountability.
The legislation requires agencies to compile annual reports on any fiscal impacts generated by new rules that took effect in the preceding year. Each document would be prominently published on the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website.
House Bill 1913 would also permit the chairs of the Joint Government Operations Committee to submit rule proposals estimated to have a negative fiscal impact of more than $750,000 over five years, or one year for an emergency rule, to be analyzed by the legislative director of the Fiscal Review Committee in the General Assembly. Agency rules determined to produce a negative impact of more than $1 million would need to be approved by a majority of the legislature.
The Regulatory Freedom Act would make it easier for state agencies to repeal rules by filing a notice to repeal with the Secretary of State and the chairs of the Joint Government Operations Committee.
State Rep. Clark Boyd represents District 46 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Wilson County.