Virginia Leverages AI for Regulatory Reform – Sets National Precedent
Governor Glenn Youngkin, following the successful reduction of regulatory barriers by 25%, is now turning to artificial intelligence for further advancement. A recently released executive order reveals that Virginia will commence a precedent-setting ‘agentic AI’ program, aimed at refining state regulations and guidance protocols. The strategy involves the AI scanning copious amounts of bureaucratic rules, pinpointing duplications, incorrect statements, and overly intricate wording, all toward the goal of efficiency. ‘We have accomplished considerable progress in our efforts to simplify regulations and the process in the commonwealth,’ Governor Youngkin expressed in his remarks.
‘Embracing emerging AI technologies will propel this initiative ahead as we strive to further stimulate Virginia’s economy in a manner that is beneficial for every resident.’ The governor’s latest plan builds upon broader efforts from the administration to deregulate, an endeavor that just recently exceeded its aim of a 25% reduction in state government regulations, achieving the milestone six months ahead of time. ‘We surpassed the 25% target, and I am confident we can reach 35%,’ Youngkin stated at a recent event in Richmond. ‘Our success relies on setting ambitious goals, achieving them, then striving to exceed them and accomplish even more.’
The ground-breaking AI pilot, according to state officials, represents an unprecedented approach at the state level to regulation. The AI technology is programmed to sift through existing regulations and guidance documents, pointing out conflicting terms, recommending refined language, and assisting those agencies that have not yet attained or surpassed the 25% reduction goal. This tool is expected to equip these agencies with an enhanced capacity to carry out future reviews. ‘The ‘Virginia model’ of regulatory modernization has now set a new standard of excellence nationwide, with federal agencies and other states attempting to emulate our reform initiatives,’ said Reeve Bull, Director of the Office of Regulatory Management.
It was noted that the breakthrough technology did not play a role in attaining the initial 25% reduction, but officials anticipate that the new pilot will dramatically expedite the process. This will boost the struggling agencies who have not yet hit the 25% reduction goal. As of the current week, Virginia agencies have reduced their guidance documentation by almost 48% and simplified 26.8% of existing regulatory requirements. Moreover, the majority of the agencies are poised to meet or even surpass the 25% goal.
‘The Office of Transformation is consistently on the lookout for methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our state government,’ shared Rob Ward, the Chief Transformation Officer. ‘We are eager to harness the capabilities of artificial intelligence in our regulatory landscape.’ Gov. Youngkin views the regulatory rollbacks as key drivers of Virginia’s broader economic prosperity. Alongside regulatory cuts, he elaborated on the state’s impressive assemblies of investments, job creations, and new business commitments — numbers in the realm of $120 billion, 270,000 jobs, and 15,000 high-growth startups.
‘Today is a day of achievement. Today, we have fulfilled commitments. Today is about promises made, and a dedicated group of extraordinary individuals striving collectively to fulfill those promises,’ he announced. The drive for reform originated from Executive Order 19, signed in 2022, which kicked off a comprehensive, government-wide assessment of regulations, permitting customs, and guidance documents. As a result of this initiative, almost 89,000 individual obligations have been either streamlined or lifted.
Worthy of note are the significant impacts on regulatory timelines at the Department of Environmental Quality, seeing a reported decrease of 65% and the Virginia Department of Transportation eliminating 20,000 regulatory protocols. Housing sector updates also led to reductions in costs for home construction, with the price of erecting new properties reportedly diminished by 6%. This resulted in homebuyers saving an average of $24,000. Environmental regulations were also consigned to scrutiny.
More than half of these regulations were previously drafted by agencies without the input of outside reviews. This is reduced dramatically – shrinking from 23 inches of print materials to just a mere five. However, efforts were not about compromising quality. ‘Our message isn’t that all regulations are unproductive, it’s that superfluous regulation is harmful,’ stated the Governor.
To monitor progression across different agencies, the administration employs a color-coded dashboard – green for those surpassing their targets, yellow for those in close pursuit, and red for stragglers. With Virginia now setting its sights on a revised 35% reduction target, the AI pilot stands out as an essential tool in sustaining momentum across all agencies.