State Moratorium on Regs

Gov. Jim Justice has issued an executive order that blocks state agencies from changing or adopting any new regulations.  The “regulatory moratorium,” as the Governor’s Office called it, aims to spur West Virginia’s economy and “promote citizens’ freedom to lawfully engage in individual, family and business pursuits.”  Justice signed the executive order Thursday – his second such directive so far this year.  Some environmental groups criticized Justice’s moratorium Friday, saying it would hamstring agencies that want to protect the public’s health and safety. The executive order drew praise, though, from business leaders and Republican lawmakers.

IN RELATED NEWS:  The chief of staff for Governor Jim Justice admits state agency officials are dealing with a “big endeavor” when it comes to meeting a Nov. 1 deadline set by executive order for mandated full reviews of all existing state rules and regulations.  “This is going to be a massive undertaking,” Mike Hall said… Justice signed two executive orders putting moratoriums on the implementation of new administrative state rules, while moving up an established 2020 date for complete agency regulatory assessments already required in state law.

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