One of the least heard about and possibly simplest reforms going on in West Virginia state government in 2016 is the effort underway to remove unnecessary regulations from the State Register.
It's a long overdue move. In government, once a law or rule gets on the books it generally tends to stay there, often long after the original reason for the rule ceases to exist. Worse, sometimes a rule is enacted in another part of the State Register that conflicts with the original rule. Add generations of new rules piled on old ones, and the State Register becomes a confusing mess.
Sure, reasonable regulations are necessary to protect the public from all sorts of problems and ills, but that doesn't mean every regulation still serves its original purpose and that some don't do more harm than good.
What's more, a lot of regulations on the books, mainly licensing regulations, were enacted moreso to give favor to one politically connected group over another and keep the competitors of the politically connected out of the market.
Finally, legislators led by a new Republican majority are addressing the issue.
On Tuesday, the West Virginia Senate Judiciary committee passed eight bills designed to repeal more than 120 outdated or obsolete rules from West Virginia's State Register.
Overall, the Senate's regulatory reform package would eliminate 166 administrative rules, or about 12 percent of the total active rules on the State Register for which the Legislature has oversight.
"We've eliminated dozens of obsolete rules with the help and cooperation of several state agencies, and I believe we are well on the way to achieving our goal of comprehensive regulatory reform in West Virginia," said Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Trump, R-Morgan.
Even better, in late January the House of Delegates passed House Bill 4002 to create a sunset provision for any new or modified rules after five years - and after appropriate review. That bill is pending before the Senate Government Organization Committee.
Regulatory reform can free businesses from unnecessary rules that add costs and stifle growth. And the best part is, they cost nothing to implement, but can make a difference in economic growth.
Hats off to all legislators working to remove unnecessary burdens and clean up West Virginia's rulebook.