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.