The Georgia Senate on Monday approved Senate Bill 28, a controversial piece of legislation that would significantly increase the power of state lawmakers to review and potentially overturn regulations enacted by state agencies. The bill, dubbed the “Red Tape Rollback Act,” would require state agencies to conduct extensive cost analyses on any proposed rule projected to cost the public or local governments at least $1 million over five years.

It also mandates reviews of the impact of proposed legislation on businesses with 300 or fewer employees and calls for periodic reviews of existing regulations. Most significantly, the bill allows lawmakers to dismiss rules they disagree with. The debate surrounding SB 28 stretched for over an hour, touching on topics ranging from state park regulations to comparisons with federal cutbacks spearheaded by Elon Musk. Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, likened the bill to Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” aiming to reduce regulations and government spending. Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, the bill’s chief sponsor, defended the measure, arguing it was intended to reduce the number of burdensome rules stemming from enacted legislation. He argued that lawmakers, through their interactions with constituents, possess unique insights into the impact of these rules. “We have connectivity with the people that have to live under these rules,” Dolezal stated.

Democrats, however, criticized the bill, arguing it would open the door to increased lobbying influence and tying it to the policies of the Trump administration. Sen. Sheikh Rahman, D-Lawrenceville, voiced concerns about the bill’s potential impact on state jobs and the possibility of reversing state rules created under previous Republican administrations.

The bill ultimately passed along party lines, with Sen. Colton Moore, R-Trenton, joining his Republican colleagues in voting for the bill. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, which failed to pass a similar measure last year. The future of the “Red Tape Rollback Act” now rests with the House’s decision on whether to take up the bill.