State Regulations Online

In Progress: Last Updated June 20, 2012.

= State Regulations Online =

Explanation of Headings


 * State: What state's policies are being addressed in the row?
 * Online?: Are the state's regulations (usually called an administrative code) available online in a free and accessible format?
 * Downloadable Format: Is the text of the code available in a downloadable format? What format?
 * Law in State Statutes/Code: Where in the state's statutes or its code does it say that its administrative code has to be available to the public?
 * Prospective Rules Online in Code?: Is there a specific rule in the state's statutes or code that a prospective or pending rule has to be posted online before it is enacted?
 * Available Online Anyway?: Is a prospective rule available online in a free and accessible format even if there is not rule stating that it has to be available online? For example, is its monthly register that states the prospective rules online and accessible for free, like as it is in Alabama?
 * Days' Notice: How many days prior to the enacting of the rule does the public become aware of its passing and able to petition against it?

''Key: If the box is colored grey, it means that the state does not provide a free, easily searchable copy of its administrative code online. More detailed explanations of how it does not do this are provided by the text.''

''Note: If "Rules [or "Chapters," etc.] in (FILE FORMAT)" (for example, "Rules in PDF") appear in the "Online?" column, the text only appears in those formats. If they appear in the "Downloadable Format" column but not the "Online?" column, the text is in HTML online but is also available in the listed format.''


 * This is probably because the code needs to be updated monthly with proposed changes, emergency rules, etc.


 * What makes this different from the others that make you select an agency from a search function (such as Wyoming) instead of giving you a linked table of contents (the most common case) is that it is too difficult to find theactual text of the bill when scolling through each agency.

†There is some lack of clarity in the rules. On one hand, §50.13.3.a states that "all rules and all other written statements of policy or interpretations formulated, adopted, or used by the agency in the discharge of its functions" as well as "all final orders, decisions, and opinions except those expressly made confidential or privileged by statute" need to be made public, and that a rule is not effective unless this is done. However, §50.13.4.a states that all proposed rules must be sent to interested parties (those who subscribe to a certain mailing list) and, if they are to be affected, small businesses--not the public. This is compounded by the fact that the bulletin taking the place of the register found in most other states is only published quarterly and only includes bills that have already been implemented. It is unclear how this helps involved the public in the legislative process, as there is no weekly (even monthly) compendium of rules that are going to be passed. What it seems is that one is able to petition rules only after they have been passed, but it is possible that my analysis is wrong; correct this or add your own response if you think it is.

‡New Mexico's is, in my opinion, the least clear and comprehensive administrative procedure act of any state. Even worse than Pennsylvania's.

††The official version of North Dakota's policy on effective dates of new rules is found in §28.32.15.2.a