Rule Drafting and Revising Process

The rule drafting process will be comprised of two basic steps:

Step 1 – Proposals

Once an announcement is made that there will be a rule revision, the department will distribute the current rule, highlight subject areas identified for possible change and open a proposal period.  The department may also announce the development of new rules and distribute a draft rule set.  A proposal may be made by anyone.  The department will strongly encourage proposals be in writing and include justification (rationale) and contact information.

A public meeting will be held at which all proposals that have been received are considered on by the meeting attendees.  A report is then published, capturing the recommendations from the meeting, referred to as the “Report on Proposals” (ROP).  The ROP is made available to the public on this web site.  If a proposal is revised or rejected, the department must report a reason for the change or rejection.

(download the public proposal form)
To request an alternate format

Step 2 – Comments

Once the ROP is made available, there will be a comment period during which the public may submit written comments on the changes proposed in the ROP.  Comments may be made by anyone, must be in writing, and include justification and contact information.  The department will then convene a second public meeting.  This meeting will be conducted in the same fashion, addressing all comments received.

All comments on proposals will then be compiled into a second publication called the Report on Comments (ROC), which is also made available on this web site for review.  

(download the public comment form)

The purpose of the ROP and ROC is to develop and document the public’s recommendations, to the department, for changes to an existing or new rule.  The department will compile and consider all recommendations in the ROP and ROC and draft the proposed rule.