Notice and Comment Rulemaking
What is notice and comment rulemaking?
Notice and comment rulemaking is a formal process used by government agencies to create, amend, or repeal regulations. Under this process, agencies publish a proposed rule (the “notice”) in a public forum, then invite stakeholders—including citizens, businesses, and advocacy groups—to submit written feedback (the “comment”). After reviewing the feedback, the agency may revise the rule before finalizing it.
Why It Matters
This process is foundational to transparent, participatory governance. It ensures that regulatory changes reflect public input and adhere to the requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) or equivalent state laws. For government agencies, getting this right is essential for legal compliance, audit readiness, and public trust.
Challenges Agencies Face
- Tracking public comments manually
- Managing version control of rule drafts
- Coordinating input across departments and legal teams
- Meeting strict publication and review deadlines
How Esper Helps
Esper streamlines notice and comment rulemaking with:
- Rulemaking Builder: Real-time collaborative drafting with automated workflows
- Submission Portals: Simplify the collection and organization of public comments
- Publishing Tools: Submit final rules to Secretary of State offices or publish them directly to citizen-facing portals
See Esper in Action: How Washington ESD Centralized Notice & Comment Rulemaking
Discover how the Washington State Employment Security Department consolidated rulemaking workflows, automated stakeholder collaboration, and streamlined public comment management—all in one platform.
Related Terms
- Administrative Procedures Act (APA)
- Policy Lifecycle Management
- Rulemaking Workflow
- Public Comment Period
- Regulatory Publication
Looking to modernize your rulemaking process? Explore Esper’s Rulemaking Product.
