(RALEIGH) -- The North Carolina Senate is scheduled to take up a bill that would prevent state agencies from creating new rules if those regulations add costs to an individual or business.  The bill cleared a Senate agriculture and environment committee on Tuesday after passing on a party-line vote.

Republican co-sponsor Sen. David Rouzer said the measure is long overdue. "There're a number of us who have heard from constituents for a long period of time now, particularly businesses that are trying to grow jobs that are saying, hey, these regulations are coming at just fast and furious, is there any way to slow this thing down," said Rouzer.

Environment North Carolina advocate Margaret Hartsell said the proposal is too ambiguous and could hurt the state’s ability to regulate things like clean water and fire safety codes.  "There's already a process in place that allows citizens to put in place 10 letters of objection so the legislature would look at it already.  We think that's a great process to have," said Hartsell.

The legislation does include some exemptions for rules that are required to address significant health or safety threats, acts by lawmakers or court rulings.