One new member of the state legislature is not waiting long to show his commitment to fiscal conservatism and cutting red tape for Alabama farmers and businesses.

Even though his first legislative session is still almost a week away, State Rep. Wes Allen (R-Pike County) has already filed a bill aimed at shrinking the size of government and easing the overall regulatory burden.

Allen’s bill would require state agencies to seek approval from the legislature before enacting any proposed rule, or change to an existing rule, that would have an economic impact of more than $1 million.

Allen’s proposed legislation builds upon the reforms put in place as part of the Red Tape Reduction Act of 2013.

“I believe that it is important for agencies to understand their role and that their actions have a real impact on people,” Allen said in a statement. “With this bill, we will know what the true monetary impact of rule changes are and the legislature will have to sign off on them before they are enacted.”

Allen did not mince words when defining where he believes legislative priorities should reside.

“It is time that unelected bureaucrats realized that they work for the people of Alabama and not the other way around,” he said. “I promised that this was something I would work to change and I keep my promises.”

The Alabama legislature begins its regular session on March 5.

Tim Howe is an owner and editor of Yellowhammer News