EXECUTIVE ORDER 25-13

WHEREAS, Missouri law provides for the establishment of rules by state agencies to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy, or to describe the organization, procedure, or practice requirements of a state agency; and

WHEREAS, state administrative agency rules have the force and effect of law; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 536 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri detail the processes and confines of administrative procedure and review; and

WHEREAS, Section 536.014, RSMo. requires that all rules have statutory authority, not conflict with state law, and not be so arbitrary and capricious as to create such substantial inequity as to be unreasonably burdensome on persons affected; and 

WHEREAS, it is essential that all state rules be limited in nature, easy to navigate and understand, and not be overly burdensome; and 

WHEREAS, rules play an integral role in the overall regulatory environment of the State and must be carefully crafted to balance their intended purpose of clarifying statute, describing organizational structures, processes, and procedures, while also minimizing negative impacts on Missouri citizens, businesses, organizations, and visitors; and 

WHEREAS, public input on administrative actions, including rules, is critical to accomplishing these goals and ensuring good governance.

NOW THEREFORE, I, MIKE KEHOE, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby order:

  1. Directive to Executive Department Directors and Commissioners 
    Executive Department directors and commissioners shall spend a minimum of eight hours per month directly soliciting input from their respective agency’s stakeholders. They shall use this input to inform their respective agency’s operations and policies, with the goals of providing excellent customer service, safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of Missourians, and upholding the law. 
  2. State Agency Rulemaking Requirements
    1. No State Agency shall promulgate proposed regulations for notice and comment, amend existing regulations, or adopt new regulations at any time until approved by the Office of the Governor.
    2. Future proposed rulemakings must meet the following standards:
      1. The regulation is enabled by the state constitution or statute;
      2. The regulation is essential to or promotes the health, safety, or welfare of Missouri residents;
      3. The public and private costs of the regulation are reasonable and prudent;
      4. A process and schedule exist to measure the effectiveness and necessity of the regulation in the future, as well as to make modifications as needed;
      5. The regulation is easy to navigate and understand;
      6. The regulation is based on sound, reasonably available scientific, technical, economic, and other relevant information; and
      7. The regulation does not unduly and adversely affect Missouri citizens, businesses, or customers of the State, or the competitive environment in Missouri.
    3. This Order does not modify any State Agency's obligations under Section 536.175, RSMo.
    4. "State Agency" shall have the definition provided in Section 536.010(8), RSMo.
    5. This Order shall supersede any previous executive order that is inconsistent with the terms contained herein.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 23rd day of January, 2025.

[signature of Michael Kehoe]
MIKE KEHOE
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

[signature of Denny Hoskins]
DENNY HOSKINS
SECRETARY OF STATE

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