An Act To Require The Automatic Repealing Of Agency Rules

LD 965 requires most Maine state agency rules to automatically expire 5 years after adoption, unless renewed by the legislature. Rules adopted after January 1, 2026, automatically repeal 5 years later, while rules adopted by January 1, 2026, repeal on January 1, 2030. Agencies must request renewal with a cost-benefit analysis 1-2 years before expiration and identify two specific rules they will not seek to renew. This applies to all agency rules, with major substantive rules requiring additional legislative review criteria. The bill directly affects state agencies by creating a mandatory sunset mechanism for regulations.