This Bill Would Regulate the Regulators

This week the Platte Institute’s fight against government regulation and red tape continues as we testify in support of Legislative Bill 299 – the Occupational Board Reform Act.
Unlike the other occupational licensing bills that have been discussed thus far in the legislative session, this bill does not address a specific profession.  This bill applies to all occupations that have an associated board.  For example, the Nebraska Board of Cosmetology oversees licenses for multiple professions such as nail technicians, cosmetologists, estheticians, etc.
The purpose of this act is to establish a new state policy which still protects consumers and the public, but uses the least restrictive regulation necessary.  This bill will also establish review processes, so that new regulations and existing regulations would be scrutinized to ensure they protect consumers and not give an unfair advantage to some or are outdated.  For example, some licenses were created in the early 1900s.  While at the time, these licenses were necessary to protect the public, today there are technological advances that have caused some of these licenses to become obsolete or a duplicative process for businesses.
Another aspect of this bill is giving Nebraskans that have a criminal record a second chance.  Many times people make poor decisions and then make a life change, yet their criminal record holds them back from having a career.  This bill would accelerate the process by which an individual can determine if his/her past convictions would disqualify them from an occupational license.
This bill helps people across the state.  Rather than putting Nebraskans out of work, the state should promote the least restrictive approach to regulation that maintains an open marketplace for entrepreneurs and consumers – and using the hierarchy below, that is what Legislative Bill 299 does.

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