Tools to Improve Participation in Rulemaking
DOT's Public Rulemaking Dockets
In all rulemaking documents and often in any public
activities related to them (e.g., press releases and public hearings), we
clearly advise the public about the federal government's internet-accessible,
electronic Federal Docket Management System (FDMS),
http://www.regulations.gov. which consolidates all of the DOT
rulemaking, adjudicatory, data quality, peer review, and guidance dockets, and
allows electronic access to users within and outside the Federal Government.
FDMS allows users to file comments and retrieve rulemaking information from the
system electronically. This makes it easier for small entities physically
located outside of D.C. to participate in the rulemaking process.
DOT's
Docketsinfo.dot.gov provides helpful information about FDMS for those
interested in DOT rulemaking.
DOT's Regulatory Agenda
The semi-annual Regulatory Agenda
provides access to a report describing all of DOT's ongoing and recently
completed rulemakings. It includes information about the effects of each
rulemaking on small entities.
Report on DOT Significant
Rulemakings
We update the Significant
Rulemakings Report each month to provide
information about each of our significant rulemakings, including its current
status.
This includes information on whether a regulatory flexibility analysis will be
required under the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Effects Report
The Effects
Report provides current
information about the effects of each DOT significant and nonsignificant
rulemaking. This includes reports on the effect on small entities, state
and local governments, and tribal governments. These reports provide direct
links to dockets, if they have been opened, for particular rulemakings.
Email Notification
FDMS has an electronic notification system, which
offers users the option of being notified by email every time a government
document is posted in a particular docket. You may sign up for this
notification by going to the particular docket in which you are interested. You
may also obtain email notification each month when we update our Report on DOT
Significant Rulemakings by going to FDMS and entering docket number
DOT-OST-2007-0114 in
the search box; once in that docket, you may sign up for a notification that
will be emailed when we put the report in that docket. (Note: under step 2,
select "other.")
ANPRMs, Requests for Comment,
Lengthy Comment Periods, and Reply Comments.
When appropriate, we use advance notices of proposed
rulemaking (ANPRMs) and requests for comment, as well as lengthy comment periods
to allow earlier and fuller involvement in the rulemaking process. The
public can also request an extension of a comment period, if necessary. In
addition, where appropriate, we may provide an opportunity for a reply comment
period.
Public Meetings
We may use public hearings, meetings, or conferences
around the country to ensure that small entities have an opportunity to talk to
agency officials. These opportunities may include evening hearings, informal public
meetings, teleconferencing, electronic meetings, and chatrooms on the
internet.
Advisory Committees
We may use Advisory Committees, including
Regulatory Negotiations, to permit more direct public participation in
regulatory and other policy decisions.
Public Participation
We continue seeking innovative and flexible
approaches to accomplishing our mission in ways that lessen impacts on small
entities. We also enforce policies that welcome small entity criticism and
dialogue about our rules and our enforcement of them.
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