Federal Register

NASBLA monitors the Federal Register for federal agency notices, proposed rules, and final rules that can impact recreational boating and RBS programs. See RELATED PAGES (below) for navigation links to detail on select notices and final rules published since 2011.

Also see the U.S. Coast Guard's page at the Federal Register for a list of all of the agency's recently-published documents and comment period opening and closing dates.

For Your Information...

• NOTICES are non-rulemaking documents, such as notices of public meetings, hearings, investigations, grants and funding, environmental impact statements, information collections, and other announcements of public interest.
• PROPOSED RULES announce and explain agencies’ plans to solve problems and accomplish goals, and give interested persons the chance to comment to improve the final regulation. This category also includes advance notices of proposed rulemaking, petitions for rulemaking, negotiated rulemakings, and proposed interpretations.
• FINAL RULES are the regulations that apply to the general public and have final legal effect. This category includes interim final rules, direct final rules, and various determinations, interpretive rules, and policy statements.The documents cite to the Code of Federal Regulations, the codified text of final rules. 

What are the steps in the rulemaking process? See these resources:

• A Guide to the Rulemaking Process (Office of the Federal Register)
• RegInfo.gov (Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget)
• The Reg Map, overview of the "informal rulemaking process" (ICF Consulting in cooperation with U.S. General Services Administration's Regulatory Information Service Center)

How can I comment on items published in the Federal Register?

• A Notice or Proposed Rule or other item open for comments will specify a deadline and all acceptable methods for submitting comments. Often the most efficient and timely way to comment will be on the related docket online at Regulations.gov. For more information about that site, see the Frequently Asked Questions.