Senate Sends Bill Limiting Health Director’s Authority to Conference Committee

This week the Senate unanimously rejected the House amendments to Senate Bill 1 and sent the bill to a conference committee. The floor debate centered on whether the legislature should limit the state health director’s orders – which are currently being used to combat COVID-19.

Originally SB 1 was aimed at regulatory reform but the House added a provision that would require orders issued by the Department of Health to go to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) after 14 days for a review prior to any renewal.

The governor said he would veto any bill restricting the Department of Health’s powers under the law. 5/21/2020