When an agency files a Notice of Proposed Rule, it includes, as part of the rule analysis, information about:

the anticipated cost or savings to:  (i)  the state budget; (ii)  local governments; (iii)  small businesses; and (iv)  persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities; (e)  the compliance cost for affected persons; … and (l)  comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses. (Subsection 63G-3-301(8))

This information is published, along with the rest of the rule analysis and the rule text, in the Utah State Bulletin, and its summary publication the Utah State Digest.  Both publications are freely available online.  The Digest is also freely available by e-mail subscription.

This fall, the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst (LFA) began using the cost/savings information filed with administrative rules to aid in their evaluation of fiscal notes.  For some time, the LFA has followed-up and reported to the Legislature on selected fiscal notes attached to bills.  Staff from the LFA reviews documentation and contacts the relevant parties to see if costs of a program established by the Legislature are in line with what was anticipated as part of the fiscal note.  Now, the LFA is also correlating this information with the cost/savings information submitted with administrative rules.

This effort is important because it allows the state to connect the dots, and close the loops associated with the implementation of new programs or polices and their associated costs.  It also provides additional scrutiny to help the state improve the quality of the information it provides to the public as part of the policy development and implementation processes.