2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 29A. State Administrative Procedures Act › Article 2. State Register › §29A-2-6. Format and Numbering of Agency Rules Filed in State Register; Electronic Filing Required Beginning July 1, 2011; Pilot Project

(a) Each proposed rule filed by an agency requiring a notice to be published in the state Register in accordance with the provisions of section five, article three of this chapter shall include as its initial provisions: (1) A statement identifying such rule as a legislative rule, an interpretive rule or a procedural rule, as the case may be; (2) a statement of such section, article and chapter of this code to which such rule or any part thereof relates; and (3) a statement of the section, article and chapter of this code or any other provision of law which provides authority for the promulgation of such rule. The agency shall be estopped from relying on any authority for the promulgation of such rule which is not stated therein in accordance with the requirements of this subdivision.
(b) Each rule when filed, to be finally effective, shall have attached thereto an abstract of its promulgation history prepared by the agency showing the date of the filing in the state Register of the content of, or notice of any procedure relating to, action necessary under this chapter to cause such rules to be finally effective: Provided, That any error or omission in such abstract shall not affect the validity of any rule or action in respect thereto.
(c) The Secretary of State shall prescribe by legislative rule a standard size, format, numbering and indexing for rules to be filed in the state Register, and may prescribe procedural or interpretive rules to clarify and interpret the provisions in this section. The Secretary of State shall refuse to accept for filing any rules which do not comply with the specific provisions of this section. The Secretary of State may also refuse to accept any rules which do not comply with the rules issued pursuant to this section.
(d) Unless and until the Secretary of State prescribes otherwise by rule issued and made effective under the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, each rule filed in paper form in the state Register shall be on white paper measuring eight and one-half inches by eleven inches, typewritten and single-spaced, with a one inch margin at the top, bottom and each side of each page, and shall be reproduced photographically, or by xerography or other duplication process. The Secretary of State may grant specific exceptions to such requirements in the case of maps, diagrams and exhibits, if the same may not be conveniently folded and fastened with the other pages of rules and in the case of rules which incorporate a rule or regulation of a federal agency or other organization which could not be submitted in the standard size and format except at undue expense. Materials submitted for inclusion in the state Register shall be fastened on the left side by two or more fasteners attached through holes suitable for insertion into ring binders.
(e)(1) Beginning July 1, 2011, unless otherwise authorized by the Secretary of State, all agencies, boards and commissions having rulemaking authority, shall file the provisions of and attachments to all proposed rules required to be filed with the Secretary of State, and any associated documents that are required to be published in the state Register, exclusively in a electronic format. The Secretary of State may exempt an agency, board or commission from this requirement upon the Secretary of State's determination that the filer is without the means to electronically file the documents and to require electronic filing would place an unreasonable burden on the agency, board or commission.
(2) On or before July 1, 2010, the Secretary of State shall propose for promulgation legislative rules to establish a uniform system for the electronic filing required by the provisions of this section and to otherwise implement those provisions.
(3) During the calendar year 2010, through procedural rules, the Secretary of State may institute a limited pilot project through which proposed new rules or amendments to existing rules may be filed electronically by any agency, board or commission under agreement with the Secretary of State. Participation by any agency, board or commission in the pilot project is voluntary.