On-line users also can search by category, subject matter and date to retrieve documents in current or past issues from 1994 through the present day. Federal agencies are required to publish notices of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register to enable citizens to participate in the decision making process of the Government. This notice and comment procedure is simple. A proposed rule published in the Federal Register notifies the public of a pending regulation. Any person or organization may comment on it directly, either in writing, or orally at a hearing.
Many agencies also accept comments via e-mail.
For each notice, the Federal Register gives detailed instructions on how, when, and where a viewpoint may be expressed. In addition, agencies must list the name and telephone number of a person to contact for further information. When agencies publish final regulations in the Federal Register, they must address the significant issues raised in comments and discuss any changes made in response to them. Agencies also may use the notice and comment process to stay in contact with constituents and to solicit their views on various policy and program issues. Like all agencies, NARA publishes documents in the Federal Register to carry out its statutory responsibilities.