Rulemaking

About Rulemaking

The legislature often directs state offices to propose rules to implement the statues they are responsible for. Rules provide clarity and uniformity to fill in details that were not necessary to put directly in the statutes.

For example, elections statutes say that the Secretary of State must provide absentee ballot materials, but do not give details on everything that needs to go on those materials. Creating a rule provides clarity and uniformity so that all voters receive the same absentee ballot materials and information when they apply.

Rules must be proposed and approved through a specific process:

• The office must give notice that they are considering adopting rules and request public comment on what rules should be proposed.
• The office may propose rules any time after the end of the 60 day comment period but no later than 18 months after the date of the law authorizing the creation of rules.
• The office must give public notice of what rules they are proposing, and why the office is proposing the rules.
• The public must be given an opportunity to provide comments to the proposed rules.
• The office carefully considers all comments when proposing rules.
• A public hearing may be held on the proposed rules.
• An Administrative Law Judge will review proposed rules and all public comments to make a final determination on whether the proposed rules are needed and reasonable.

Rulemaking is an important part of the lawmaking process. The office welcomes feedback and participation whenever new rules are proposed. Signup to receive email notifications when rules are being proposed.

View more detailed information about the rule making process.

Related Rulemaking Content

Sign up to receive emails to be notified of impending rulemaking action