1. There is hereby created within the department of economic development the "Regulatory Relief Office", which shall be administered by the sandbox program director. The sandbox program director shall report to the director of the department and may appoint staff, subject to the approval of the director of the department.
2. The regulatory relief office shall:
(1) Administer the sandbox program pursuant to sections 620.3900 to 620.3930 ;
(2) Act as a liaison between private businesses and applicable agencies that regulate such businesses to identify state regulations that could potentially be waived or suspended under the sandbox program;
(3) Consult with each applicable agency; and
(4) Establish a program to enable a person to obtain monitored access to the market in the state along with legal protections for a product or service related to the regulations that are being waived as a part of participation in the sandbox program, in order to demonstrate an innovative product or service without obtaining a license or other authorization that might otherwise be required.
3. The regulatory relief office shall:
(1) Review state laws and regulations that may unnecessarily inhibit the creation and success of new companies or industries and provide recommendations to the governor and the general assembly on modifying or repealing such state laws and regulations;
(2) Create a framework for analyzing the risk level of the health, safety, and financial well-being of consumers and protection of Missouri's environment related to permanently removing or temporarily waiving regulations inhibiting the creation or success of new and existing companies or industries;
(3) Propose and enter into reciprocity agreements between states that use or are proposing to use similar regulatory sandbox programs as described in sections 620.3900 to 620.3930 , provided that such reciprocity agreement is supported by a majority vote of the advisory committee and the regulatory relief office is directed by an order of the governor to pursue such reciprocity agreement;
(4) Enter into agreements with or adopt best practices of corresponding federal regulatory agencies or other states that are administering similar programs;
(5) Consult with businesses in the state about existing or potential proposals for the sandbox program; and
(6) In accordance with the provisions of chapter 536 and the provisions of sections 620.3900 to 620.3930 , make rules regarding the administration of the sandbox program, including making rules regarding the application process and the reporting requirements of sandbox participants. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010 , that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028 . This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2024, shall be invalid and void.
4. (1) The regulatory relief office shall create and maintain on the department's website a web page that invites residents and businesses in the state to make suggestions regarding laws and regulations that could be modified or eliminated to reduce the regulatory burden on residents and businesses in the state.
(2) On at least a quarterly basis, the regulatory relief office shall compile the relevant suggestions from the web page created pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection and provide a written report to the governor and the general assembly.
(3) In creating the report described in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the regulatory relief office:
(a) Shall provide the identity of residents and businesses that make suggestions on the web page if those residents and businesses wish to comment publicly, and shall ensure that the private information of residents and businesses that make suggestions on the web page is not made public if they do not wish to comment publicly; and
(b) May evaluate the suggestions and provide analysis and suggestions regarding which state laws and regulations could be modified or eliminated to reduce the regulatory burden on residents and businesses in the state while still protecting consumers.
5. (1) By October first of each year, the department shall submit an annual report to the governor, the general assembly, and to each state agency which shall include:
(a) Information regarding each participant in the sandbox program, including industries represented by each participant and the anticipated or actual cost savings that each participant experienced;
(b) The anticipated or actual benefit to consumers created by each demonstration in the sandbox program;
(c) Recommendations regarding any laws or regulations that should be permanently modified or repealed;
(d) Information regarding any health and safety events related to the activities of a participant in the sandbox program;
(e) Recommendations for changes to the sandbox program or other duties of the regulatory relief office;
(f) Concerns raised by consumers and stakeholders regarding demonstrations; and
(g) Harms and benefits to the state as a result of current demonstrations.
(2) The department may provide an interim report from the sandbox program director to the governor and general assembly on specific, time-sensitive issues for the functioning of the sandbox program, for the health and safety of consumers and protection of Missouri's environment, for the success of participants in the program, and for other issues of urgent need.