SB 688: Office of Regulatory Counsel.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes the Government Operations Agency, which consists of several departments including the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). Existing law, the Administrative Procedure Act, governs the procedure for the adoption, amendment, or repeal of regulations by state agencies and for the review of those regulatory actions by the OAL. Existing law requires the OAL to provide for the publication of the California Regulatory Notice Register and to include specified information in the register, including notices of proposed action prepared by regulatory agencies, a summary of regulations filed with the Secretary of State, and a summary of regulation decisions issued, as specified.

This bill, until January 1, 2035, would establish the Office of Regulatory Counsel in state government within the Governor’s office, under the direction and control of a director. The bill would require the director to be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation of the Senate and for the director’s term to be coterminous with that of the appointing power, except as provided.

This bill would require the office to draft and assist in the preparation, consideration, amendment, and repeal of regulations for a state agency, before the state agency submits a proposed action regarding that regulation to the OAL for publication in the California Regulatory Notice Register. The bill would make related legislative findings and declarations.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 2, 2026Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2. May 23, 2025May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
3. May 16, 2025Set for hearing May 23.
4. April 7, 2025April 7 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
5. April 2, 2025From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6. March 28, 2025Set for hearing April 7.
7. March 25, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0. Page 531.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
8. March 7, 2025Set for hearing March 25.
9. March 5, 2025Referred to Com. on G.O.
10. February 24, 2025Read first time.
11. February 24, 2025From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 24.
12. February 21, 2025Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.