ARC 7646C
INSPECTIONS AND APPEALS DEPARTMENT[481]
Notice of Intended Action
Proposing rulemaking related to declaratory orders
and providing an opportunity for public comment
The Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing hereby proposes to rescind Chapter 3, “Declaratory Orders,” Iowa Administrative Code, and to adopt a new chapter with the same title.
Legal Authority for Rulemaking
This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 17A.9.
State or Federal Law Implemented
This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code section 17A.9; 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 514; and Executive Order 10 (January 10, 2023).
Purpose and Summary
This proposed rulemaking repromulgates Chapter 3, “Declaratory Orders,” and implements Iowa Code section 17A.9 and 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 514, in accordance with the goals and directives of Executive Order 10 (January 10, 2023). Iowa Code section 17A.9 requires agencies to “adopt rules that provide for the form, contents, and filing of petitions for declaratory orders, the procedural rights of persons in relation to the petitions, and the disposition of the petitions. The rules must describe the classes of circumstances in which the agency will not issue a declaratory order and must be consistent with the public interest and with the general policy of the chapter to facilitate and encourage agency issuance of reliable advice.”
The rules provide standard procedures governing the filing of and the Department’s response to petitions for declaratory orders and are intended to be applicable to any division, board, or commission within the Department that has its own rulemaking authority and had not adopted its own rules governing declaratory orders.
A Regulatory Analysis related to this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on December 13, 2023, and a public hearing on the Regulatory Analysis was held on January 3, 2024. The Department received no public comments, and no changes from the Regulatory Analysis have been made.
Fiscal Impact
This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.
Jobs Impact
After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.
Waivers
Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 481—Chapter 6.
Public Comment
Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rulemaking. Written comments in response to this rulemaking must be received by the Department no later than 4:30 p.m.	on March 20, 2024. Comments should be directed to:

Ashleigh Hackel
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing
6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100
Des Moines, Iowa 50321
Email: ashleigh.hackel@dia.iowa.gov	
Public Hearing
Public hearings at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

March 18, 2024
11:20 to 11:40 a.m.	6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100
Des Moines, Iowa	
March 20, 2024
11:20 to 11:40 a.m.	6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100
Des Moines, Iowa	
Persons who wish to make oral comments at a public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rulemaking.
Any persons who intend to attend a public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Department and advise of specific needs.
Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee
The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).
The following rulemaking action is proposed:
	Item 1. Rescind 481—Chapter 3 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:
CHAPTER 3
DECLARATORY ORDERS
The department of inspections, appeals, and licensing adopts, with the following exceptions and amendments, the Uniform Rules on Agency Procedure related to declaratory orders, which are published at www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/Rules/Current/UniformRules.pdf on the Iowa general assembly’s website. These rules are applicable to any division, board, or commission under the administrative authority of the department pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 10A, unless a division, board, or commission has separate rulemaking authority and has adopted rules governing declaratory orders. In lieu of the words “(designate agency)” within any uniform rule, insert the name of the department or specific board or division within the department where the petition for declaratory order is directed, as applicable. In lieu of the words “(designate office)”, insert the current location of the department, board, or division within the department, as applicable.
481—3.1(17A) Petition for declaratory order. In lieu of the words “(AGENCY NAME)”, the heading on the petition form should read:
BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONS, APPEALS, AND LICENSING
[or the specific board or division within the department where the petition is directed]
481—3.2(17A) Notice of petition. In lieu of the words “___ days (15 or less)”, insert “15 days”.
481—3.3(17A) Intervention.
	3.3(1) In lieu of the words “within ___ days”, insert “within 15 days”. Strike the words “(after time for notice under X.2(17A))”. In lieu of the number “X.8(17A)”, insert “rule 481—3.8(17A)”.
In lieu of the words “(AGENCY NAME)”, the heading on the petition form should read:
BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONS, APPEALS, AND LICENSING
[or the specific board or division within the department where the petition is directed]
481—3.5(17A) Inquiries. In lieu of the words “(designate official by full title and address)”, insert “to the department or applicable division, board, or commission as provided on the department’s website”.
481—3.6(17A) Service and filing of petitions and other papers.
	3.6(2) In lieu of the words “(specify office and address)”, insert the current address of the department, board, or division within the department, as applicable.
	3.6(3) In lieu of the words “(uniform rule on contested cases X.12(17A))”, insert “rule 481—10.12(17A), except that the filing will be delivered to the department, board, or division at its current location”.
481—3.8(17A) Action on petition. Replace all uniform rule text with “Action on the petition will be taken in accordance with Iowa Code section 17A.9(5).”
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 17A.