On January 18th, 2011, President Obama issued Executive Order 13563, directing “regulatory agencies to base regulations on an “open exchange of information and perspectives” and to promote public participation in Federal rulemaking.” (via beSpacific)
The result, is a major redesign of the website Regulations.gov. The website includes new search tools, social media connections and better access to regulatory data. Users are encouraged to leave comments on the regulations as they appear on the website to provide feedback to our representatives in Congress.
FAQ
Do My Comments Make a Difference? Yes. Public participation matters. Democratic, legal, and management principles justify why public comments make a difference in regulatory policy. Public participation is an essential function of good governance. Participation enhances the quality of law and its realization through regulations (e.g. Rules). To learn more about public participation, view the fact sheet “Public Comments Make a Difference”.
You can search regulations by name, by subject, or by date posted: withing 90 days, 30 days, 15 days, 7 days, past 3 days. There is even a section named Learn, that is devoted to instruction on the regulations procedure in government: The Pre-Rule -> Proposed Rule -> Final Rule -> Long Term Action -> Completed.
Posted by librarianlls 
