What is a regulation?

Once the law is passed, it is then the responsibility of the regulatory board to have it executed.  Regulations are guidelines from agencies designed to help implement and interpret laws passed by Congress or state legislatures.  After legislation is passed, regulators will examine the laws passed and work out the details that need to be enforced so that they are followed. Legislation is broader and more general while regulation is specific and details how legislation is implemented.

 Regulations are rules or directives designed to control or govern conduct.

• They are written and issued by various federal and state agencies to enforce laws passed by the legislature.
• In general, legislatures first set broad policy mandates by passing laws, then agencies create more detailed regulations through the process of rule-making in order to implement the law
• The compilation of regulations issued by each state or jurisdiction’s governmental agencies is known as an administrative code.

For example, a regulation issued by EPA to implement the Clean Air Act (a United States Federal law) might explain what levels of a pollutant - such as sulfur dioxide - adequately protect human health and the environment. It would tell industries how much sulfur dioxide they can legally emit into the air, and what the penalty will be if they emit too much.

In addition to implementing new laws with regulatory proposals and adoptions, many agencies issue non-rule-making documents such as policy clarifications, hearings, bulletins and memorandums.  Although this types of documents don’t have the same rule impact as a adopted regulation, they provide guidance for actors in the industry that the agency regulates.

For example the Department of Insurance might publish a permit application or filing requirement form on their website.