Rick Scott Issues Executive Orders on Regulations and E-Verify

In his inaugural address earlier in the day, Gov. Rick Scott vowed to issue an executive order creating the Office of Fiscal Accountability and Regulatory Reform to review regulations in the Sunshine State -- and he did that in his first minutes in office. The order also prohibited agencies from offering regulations without the approval of the new office. The order also authorizes the state to review any contract of more than $1 million.

Moments after issuing that order, Scott signed a second one -- making state agencies use E-Verify to determine the legalcitizenship status of potential employees. Scott touted E-Verify during his heated primary fight withformer Attorney General Bill McCollum.

Scott also issued executive orders on ethics in the governors office and stressed a nondiscrimination policy in hiring.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce cheered the first executive order.

Todays action by Governor Scott was the next natural step following the successful veto override of HB 1565 in November led by Senate President Mike Haridopolos and Speaker of the House Dean Cannon, said David Hart, the executive vice president of the Chamber. While HB 1565 requires legislative approval of certain rules that may unduly burden private-sector job creation, Governor Scotts executive order suspends all rulemaking until the newly created Office of Fiscal Accountability and Regulatory Reform reviews and approves the rules. This will allow for strengthened coordination between the Florida Legislature and Governor Scott on proposed rules, and ensure that state agencies are focused on reducing regulations and eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy.