CHAPTER 3DEPARTMENT PROCEDURE FOR RULE MAKING[Prior to 9/21/88, see Blind, Division for the[423] Ch 3]1113.1(17A) Applicability. Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided by statute, all rules adopted by the commission are subject to the provisions of Iowa Code chapter 17A, the Iowa administrative procedure Act, and the provisions of this chapter.1113.2(17A) Advice on possible rules before notice of proposed rule adoption. In addition to seeking information by other methods, the department may, before publication of a Notice of Intended Action as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)“a,” solicit comments from the public on a subject matter of possible rule making by causing notice to be published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin of the subject matter and indicating where, when and how persons may comment.1113.3(17A) Public rule-making docket. 3.3(1) Docket maintained. The department shall maintain a current public rule-making docket. 3.3(2) Anticipated rule making. The rule-making docket shall list each anticipated rule-making proceeding. A rule-making proceeding is deemed “anticipated” from the time a draft of proposed rules is distributed for internal discussion within the department or from the time of announcement at a meeting of the commission. For each anticipated rule-making proceeding, the docket shall contain a listing of the precise subject matter which may be submitted for consideration by the commission for subsequent proposal under the provisions of Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)“a,” the name and address of department personnel with whom persons may communicate with respect to the matter, and an indication of the present status within the department of that possible rule. The department may also include in the docket other subjects upon which public comment is desired. 3.3(3) Pending rule-making proceedings. The rule-making docket shall list each pending rule-making proceeding. A rule-making proceeding is pending from the time it is commenced, by publication in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin of a Notice of Intended Action, pursuant to Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)“a,” to the time it is terminated, by publication of a Notice of Termination in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin or the rule becoming effective. For each rule-making proceeding, the docket shall indicate: a. The subject matter of the proposed rule. b. A citation to all published notices relating to the proceeding. c. Where written submissions on the proposed rule may be inspected. d. The time during which written submissions may be made. e. The names of persons who have made written requests for an opportunity to make oral presentations on the proposed rule, where those requests may be inspected, and where and when oral presentations may be made. f. Whether a written request for the issuance of a regulatory analysis, or a concise statement of reasons has been filed, whether such an analysis or statement or a fiscal impact statement has been issued, and where any such written request, analysis, or statement may be inspected. g. The current status of the proposed rule and any department determinations with respect thereto. h. Any known timetable for department decisions or other action in the proceeding. i. The date of the rule’s adoption. j. The date of the rule’s filing, indexing and publication. k. The date on which the rule will become effective. l. Where the rule-making record may be inspected.1113.4(17A) Notice of proposed rule making. 3.4(1) Contents. a. At least 35 days before the adoption of a rule, the department shall cause a Notice of Intended Action to be published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin. The Notice of Intended Action shall include: (1) A brief explanation of the purpose of the proposed rule. (2) The specific legal authority for the proposed rule. (3) Except to the extent impracticable, the text of the proposed rule. (4) Where, when and how persons may present their views on the proposed rule. (5) Where, when and how persons may demand an oral proceeding on the proposed rule if the notice does not already provide for one. b. Where inclusion of the complete text of a proposed rule in the Notice of Intended Action is impracticable, the department shall include in the notice a statement fully describing the specific subject matter of the omitted portion of the text of the proposed rule, the specific issues to be addressed by that omitted text of the proposed rule, and the range of possible choices being considered by the department for the resolution of each of those issues. c. To facilitate transcription into alternative media, the complete text of the proposed rule shall be published in the Notice of Intended Action whenever possible. 3.4(2) Incorporation by reference. A proposed rule may incorporate other materials by reference only if it complies with all of the requirements applicable to incorporation by reference of other materials in an adopted rule that are contained in subrule 3.12(2). 3.4(3) Copies of notices. Persons desiring to receive copies of future Notices of Intended Action by subscription must file with the department a written request indicating the name and address to which such notices should be sent. Within seven days after submission of a Notice of Intended Action to the administrative rules coordinator for publication in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin, the department shall mail or electronically transmit a copy of that notice to subscribers who have filed a written request for either mailing or electronic transmittal with the department for Notices of Intended Action. The written request shall be accompanied by payment of a subscription price which may cover the full cost of the subscription service, including its administrative overhead and the cost of copying and mailing the Notices of Intended Action for a period of one year. 3.4(4) Provision in alternative media. Mailed copies of Notices of Intended Action shall be provided in standard print format, unless an individual requests provision of the notices in alternative media. Notices in the alternative media shall be provided in a timely manner.Related ARC(s): 0461C1113.5(17A) Public participation. 3.5(1) Written comments. For at least 20 days after publication of the Notice of Intended Action, persons may submit argument, data, and views, in writing, on the proposed rule. Such written submissions should identify the proposed rule to which they relate and should be submitted to the Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department for the Blind, 524 Fourth Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 or the person designated in the Notice of Intended Action. 3.5(2) Oral proceedings. The department may, at any time, schedule an oral proceeding on a proposed rule. The department shall schedule an oral proceeding on a proposed rule if, within 20 days after the published Notice of Intended Action, a written request for an opportunity to make oral presentations is submitted to the department by the administrative rules review committee, a governmental subdivision, an agency, an association having not less than 25 members, or at least 25 persons. The request must also contain the following information:
- A request by one or more individual persons must be signed by each of them and include the address and telephone number of each of them.
- A request by an association must be signed by an officer or designee of the association and must contain a statement that the association has at least 25 members and the address and telephone number of the person signing that request.
- A request by an agency or governmental subdivision must be signed by an official having authority to act on behalf of the entity and must contain the address and telephone number of the person signing that request.