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| Date: | March 16, 2012 | | Contact Name: | Libbie Krueger | | Contact Phone: | 651.296.1388 | | Contact Email: | elizabeth.krueger@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| NEWMAN SHEPHERDS CONTESTED CASE HEARING BILL THROUGH THE SENATE |
(ST. PAUL) – Today, the Minnesota State Senate passed a bill authored by Senator Scott Newman (R- Hutchinson) to require administrative law judges to make the final decision on contested cases between government agencies and Minnesota citizens. The legislation serves as a protection measure for businesses and citizens from over regulation by government.
Currently, when businesses have a disagreement with the way in which a state agency is exercising regulatory control, the matter is decided by the agency. In these cases the agency is a party to the dispute which it is deciding and has an inherent conflict of interest.
This bill proposes disputes be settled disputes by an administrative law judge through the office of Administrative Hearing. The presumption is that since an administrative law judge will have no agency ties, regulatory enforcement against businesses will be more fair and objective.
"Administrative law judges that are independent of the agencies should be making the decisions on contested government agency cases. This is a bill that will truly help Minnesota’s business throughout the state of Minnesota from over regulation from the various state agencies," Newman said.
The bill passed through the Senate on a bipartisan vote. The bill will now go to Governor Dayton who will either sign the bill into law or use his veto power.
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