LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Michele Hoitenga on Wednesday introduced legislation to restore prohibitions against state agencies imposing regulations that are stricter than federal rules as part of a larger plan introduced by Senate Republicans to encourage economic growth in Michigan.

“Unnecessary heavy-handed government red tape discourages new business owners and is a roadblock to those who would otherwise want to relocate to our wonderful state,” said Hoitenga, R-Manton. “My bill would help protect current and future Michigan businesses against rogue ideologically-driven bureaucrats by restoring legislative oversight and limits on state departments.”

Senate Bill 848 would act as a guardrail against state bureaucrats imposing rules and regulations more stringent than federal guidelines without legislative oversight.

The full “Grow MI State” economic development plan includes legislation to:

• Make it easier to do business in Michigan by ensuring state regulations are not stricter than those imposed by the federal government, requiring an annual review of all state agency rules to make sure they are still necessary, and forcing bureaucrats to receive approval from the Legislature before imposing costly regulations.
• Help people plant their roots in Michigan by improving licensing reciprocity in over 40 occupations for people from nurses and doctors to barbers and accountants and investing more in apprenticeship scholarships to expand Michigan’s skilled trades workforce.
• End corporate slush funds and reinvest in Michiganders by stopping cash payments to corporations and investing in desperately needed bridge repairs.
• Restore worker freedom to allow workers to decide for themselves whether they want to join a union and let job providers know Michigan is open for business again.

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