You Can Be a Citizen Particpant in the Regulatory Process

crossposted from unbossed

An important part of our government is the regulator process. The Administrative Procedure Act mandates public participation in key parts of the regulatory process. However, being heard means knowing that comments are invited on an issue of concern and then trying to find what you are lookinf for and then wade through the information on making your comments. Frustrating, because it is now so available on line. But keep in mind, until recently, you could only find this information by going to a law or other legal or very large library and then wade through all sorts of confusing books.

But that has changed now.

Now OMB Watch has a created Regulatory Resource Center  - created with the purpose of educating citizens on how we can "become involved in the regulatory process (Advocacy Center) and to inform the public about the workings of the regulatory process (Policy Library).

With one click from the Advocacy Center  you can:

* Comment on a rule

* Find rules in the Federal Register

* File a petition for rulemaking

* Read the Unified Agenda

And from the Policy Library link, you can find information or resources on:

* Rulemaking

* Background information

* Regulatory tools

* Glossary

* Reference

Each of these links leads to information and yet more useful links.

So go play in this new sandbox, and take back your role as a citizen of our democracy.

•  I hope this will be a widely used resource

  and I would not turn down tips.

  by shirah on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 05:36:02 AM PDT

•  Excellent!! thank you.

  I have the Fed. Register bookmarked because I have an admin law practice.  Unless you use the Fed. Reg. link frequently, it can be hard sometimes to navigate.  The proposed rules should be our focus.  It is too onerous to check all of them, however, if the scope is narrowed to a particular agency and topic, it is a bit easier.

  Great tools!

  by gchaucer2 on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 05:40:31 AM PDT

  •  Thanks

    I know this is a narrow specialized issue - though one with huge impact. And this administration is a master at using regs to hide important changes.

    by shirah on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 05:49:27 AM PDT

    •  thanks for drawing attention to it

      It's going to be a really useful tool...if only we can elect a government now that is willing to respond to public comment.

      Anyway, props to OMB Watch. There's no longer any need to break into that locked file cabinet inside the disused lavoratory with a "Beware of the Leopard!" sign on the door, just to get a little information about government plans.

      by smintheus on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 06:00:45 AM PDT

    •  If the grassroots

      utilized the comments more often -- in a concerted effort, they could push a lot of the sneaky business into the light.  I wish I could remember the issue from DOJ regs, but last summer folks were atonished that yet another odious rule had been pushed through -- same for Dept. of Interior and Bureau of Land Managemetn.  While the regular watchdogs comment, backed with legal and scientific arguments, there needs to be a higher volume of well reasoned and researched responses.

      First, I would recommend that folks read comments.  The comment section is not a blog -- thus, comments like -- "this sucks," "Bush is a war criminal," etc. are pointless and useless.  A body of comments which object (or support) a regulation assist the public interest groups when they file lawsuits alleging abuse of discretion.

      Thank you again for these valuable resources.  I should have already known these tools, but I'm a creature of habit.

      by gchaucer2 on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 06:02:19 AM PDT

      •  BTW

        I left a comment for your diary on drying clothes. Yes, you can dry them outside in winter. Just wait till after they go through the ice stage via sublimation.

        by shirah on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 06:13:48 AM PDT

        •  Hey, thanks, will re-check

          did you leave the vinegar tip as well?

          by gchaucer2 on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 06:26:31 AM PDT

          •  No. just the one n/t

            by shirah on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 07:44:40 AM PDT

•  Comments on Rulemaking? Good Idea.

  Rulemaking is a big deal that hasn't been used yet as a way to have input into how laws are enforced. Up to now only a few community groups and a lot of lobbyists have contributed to honing regulations.

  These links can give us a nuts-and-bolts view of the law as it affects people, communities, the environment.

  It's difficult, but commenting is a great opportunity for bottom-up action, especially if we can mobilize lots of comments. They have to read differently though, these aren't like letters to congresscritters. These people are engineers, scientists, expert bureaucrats who are actually doing the work. Content is important.

  :: jg falls steps off soapbox, brushes self off, picks up soapbox, limps away ::

  by JG in MD on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 06:14:01 AM PDT

  •  It would be great if bloggers would pick an area

    and just check in with that area regularly - bringing news to the community as needed. If enough areas were covered, it would be possible to bring this lawless administration to heel or at least drag the snarling beast where it needs to go.

    by shirah on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 06:24:03 AM PDT

    •  Not Quite That, Even Now

      Rulemaking is normally just bureaucrats tucking in the edges and fluffing the pillows, even now.

      But SOMETIMES it can cause trouble, and that's what we need to look out for. Don't assume there's a catch in everything, but don't be fooled either.

      Easy. No prob, right?

      by JG in MD on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 01:45:43 PM PDT

      •  This is why we need many eyes

        checking in regularly on one small area each.

        by shirah on Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 09:56:07 AM PDT

•  Thanks -- great resource on regulatory process!

  I'm battling with HUD/FHEO's non-enforcement of the civil rights provisions of the Fair Housing Act, and I've been trying to watch for the opportunity to make comments about the Indiana Civil Rights Comission's certification as a FHAP (enforcement) agency.  The tools you suggest will be a great help to me as I continue to develop my website/blog (now just a tiny baby) about HUD civil rights non-enforcement.  Thanks!

  (I don't know if posting this is OK, so if I'm making a mistake please bear with me.  My baby website is http://acitizenprose.wordpress.com.)

  by CroneWit on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 06:56:51 AM PDT

  •  Thanks

    and OMBWatch deserves a LOT of credit for its work in general and this work in specific.

    by shirah on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 07:44:20 AM PDT

    •  And thanks for turning me on to unbossed --

      -- just checked it out and I love the concept -- and the attitude.  Maybe when I get a little farther along with my website I'll sign up.

      by CroneWit on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 03:55:09 PM PDT

•  Thanks for the Diary! These rules had been hidden

  behind lots of bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo.

  The OMB watch website is just what we ordinary citizens need to be able to participate more!

  by Bob B on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 07:02:01 AM PDT

•  Don't You Have to ..

  register as a lobbyist ?

  by ArtfromMI on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 08:17:50 AM PDT

  •  No

    This involves the notice and comment procedure under the Administrative Procedure Act.

    Lobbying is something quite different. Here is the House lobbyist information and registration website.

    by shirah on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 09:44:43 AM PDT

•  Thanks

  You always have some interesting thi ngs to share!

  by eeff on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 09:31:46 PM PDT

  •  You're very welcom n/t

    by shirah on Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 09:54:26 AM PDT