APA Comment Letter (General) - Indiana

APA Comment Letter (General) — Indiana

Scope and Current Process

This letter is limited to written comments on a proposed Indiana rule in the ordinary permanent-rule process under IC 4-22-2. It does not establish a route for a petition to begin rulemaking, an existing-rule interpretation, a declaratory request, waiver, variance, provisional or interim rule, enforcement submission, adjudication, or judicial challenge.

Before the public-comment periods begin, the agency conducts the IC 4-22-2-22.7 regulatory analysis and seeks the Budget Agency and Office of Management and Budget authorization required by IC 4-22-2-22.8. The first-period publication package must appear at least 30 days before the hearing under IC 4-22-2-23. A second public-comment period is required under IC 4-22-2-24 if the agency receives substantive comments during the first period or hearing, or if the rule is more stringent than an applicable federal requirement or limitation. Section 26 requires a hearing with an adequate opportunity to present oral and written facts or argument.

Use the current Indiana Register notice for the controlling document number, proposed text, regulatory analysis, deadline, submission route, hearing details, and remote-access method. Confirm whether a separate statute supplies different or supplemental procedures for the target agency.

Comment Letter Template

[DATE: __/__/____]

[________________________________]
[Agency Name]
[Division/Office, if applicable]
[Street Address]
[Indianapolis, Indiana XXXXX] or [City, State, ZIP]

Re: Written Comments on Proposed Rulemaking
Document Control / LSA Number Shown in Notice: [________________________________]
Indiana Register Citation: [________________________________]
Indiana Administrative Code Title: [____], Article [____], Rule [____]
Rule Title: [________________________________]
Public Hearing Date: [__/__/____]
Comment Deadline: [__/__/____]

I. IDENTIFICATION OF COMMENTER

Name of Commenter/Organization:
[________________________________]

Contact Name (if organization):
[________________________________]

Title:
[________________________________]

Mailing Address:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

City, State, ZIP:
[________________________________]

Email Address:
[________________________________]

Telephone:
[________________________________]

Nature of Commenter's Interest:
(Check all that apply)

☐ Indiana resident or individual taxpayer
☐ Business operating in Indiana
☐ Trade or industry association
☐ Nonprofit or civic organization
☐ Local government (city, county, or political subdivision)
☐ Healthcare provider or organization
☐ Agricultural operator or farm organization
☐ Educational institution
☐ Attorney submitting on behalf of a client (client name: [________________________________])
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Brief Description of Commenter's Interest:
[Describe why you or your organization is directly affected by or has substantial interest in this rulemaking. Include facts about Indiana operations, the number of employees or members affected, and the specific nature of the regulatory impact.]

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

II. RULE IDENTIFICATION

Agency Proposing Rule:
[________________________________]

Indiana Administrative Code Citation:
IAC [____]-[____]-[____] (Title [____], Article [____], Rule [____])

Indiana Register Citation:
[________________________________]

Document Control / LSA Number Shown in Notice:
[________________________________]

Date Published in Indiana Register:
[__/__/____]

First Public Hearing Date:
[__/__/____]

Location of First Public Hearing:
[________________________________]

Written Comment Deadline:
[__/__/____]

Agency Rulemaking Contact:
[________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]

III. INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF INTEREST

[________________________________] ("Commenter") respectfully submits these written comments on the proposed rule published by [________________________________] ("Agency") in the Indiana Register, pursuant to IC 4-22-2-23.

[Describe your organization's interest in this rulemaking in 2–3 sentences. Note Indiana-based operations, regulated activities, members affected, and the nature of the regulatory impact on those operations.]

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

We recognize the Agency's stated purpose of [describe the regulatory objective]. However, we have identified the following significant concerns with the proposed rule that require Agency attention before final adoption.

IV. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF POSITIONS

The following is a summary of Commenter's principal positions:

1. [Summary of Position #1 — e.g., "IAC [X]-[XX]-[XX] uses an undefined term '[term]' that creates significant uncertainty for Indiana businesses operating under this rule."]
   [________________________________]

2. [Summary of Position #2 — e.g., "The Agency lacks authority under its enabling statute, Ind. Code § [X], to impose the requirement set forth in IAC [X]-[XX]-[XX]."]
   [________________________________]

3. [Summary of Position #3 — e.g., "The 60-day compliance timeline in IAC [X]-[XX]-[XX] is insufficient; Indiana businesses need a minimum of [X months] to implement the required changes."]
   [________________________________]

4. [Summary of Position #4 — if applicable]
   [________________________________]

V. DETAILED COMMENTS BY RULE SECTION

Comment No. 1

Indiana Administrative Code Section: IAC [________________________________]

Type of Concern:
☐ Exceeds statutory authority under Ind. Code § [____]
☐ Constitutional infirmity (Indiana or U.S. Constitution)
☐ Ambiguous or vague language
☐ Inadequate fiscal or economic impact analysis
☐ Unrealistic compliance timeline
☐ Inadequate consideration of alternatives
☐ Disproportionate impact on small businesses
☐ Conflicts with another Indiana statute or administrative rule
☐ Conflicts with federal law or regulation
☐ Procedural deficiency in the rulemaking notice
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Current Proposed Rule Text:

[Quote the specific text of the proposed rule provision from the Indiana Register]

Description of Concern:
[Describe the specific problem. Reference the exact language at issue, explain the harm or legal deficiency, and address why the Agency's stated rationale does not justify the provision as written. Where applicable, cite Indiana Code provisions, prior agency interpretations, or Indiana court decisions.]

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Recommended Alternative Language:
We recommend that IAC [________________________________] be revised to read as follows:

[Insert your proposed alternative regulatory text]

Supporting Authority and Evidence:

• Indiana statutory authority: [________________________________]
• Indiana case law or prior agency guidance: [________________________________]
• Data, studies, or economic analysis: [________________________________]
• Indiana-specific operational considerations: [________________________________]

Comment No. 2

Indiana Administrative Code Section: IAC [________________________________]

Type of Concern:
☐ Exceeds statutory authority
☐ Constitutional infirmity
☐ Ambiguous or vague language
☐ Inadequate fiscal or economic impact analysis
☐ Unrealistic compliance timeline
☐ Inadequate consideration of alternatives
☐ Disproportionate impact on small businesses
☐ Conflicts with another Indiana statute or rule
☐ Conflicts with federal law
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Current Proposed Rule Text:

[Quote the specific text of the proposed rule provision]

Description of Concern:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Recommended Alternative Language:

[Insert your proposed alternative regulatory text]

Supporting Authority and Evidence:

• Indiana statutory authority: [________________________________]
• Data or studies: [________________________________]
• Operational impact on Indiana entities: [________________________________]

Comment No. 3

Indiana Administrative Code Section: IAC [________________________________]

Type of Concern:
☐ Exceeds statutory authority
☐ Ambiguous or vague language
☐ Inadequate fiscal or economic impact analysis
☐ Unrealistic compliance timeline
☐ Disproportionate impact on small businesses
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Description of Concern:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Recommended Alternative Language:

[Insert your proposed alternative regulatory text]

Supporting Authority and Evidence:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

[Add additional Comment sections as needed.]

VI. SECOND-PERIOD IMPLICATIONS

IC 4-22-2-24 requires a second public-comment period if the agency receives substantive comments during the first period or hearing, or if the proposed rule is more stringent than an applicable federal requirement or limitation. The agency applies that statutory trigger to the rulemaking record.

☐ These comments address material legal, factual, economic, or operational issues that the Agency should evaluate when determining whether IC 4-22-2-24 requires a second period.

☐ The proposed rule is more stringent than the following applicable federal requirement or limitation: [________________________________]

☐ If a second period is required, Commenter requests notice through any subscription or notice method the Agency makes available.

VII. FISCAL IMPACT AND SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS

Does this rule have a significant fiscal impact on Indiana individuals, businesses, or governments?
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Uncertain

If yes, describe:

Estimated annual compliance costs (per entity):
$[________________________________]

Total estimated annual compliance costs for Indiana (aggregate):
$[________________________________]

Number of Indiana entities affected:
[________________________________]

Less burdensome alternatives the Agency should consider:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Regulatory-analysis review: The agency's published materials should reflect the IC 4-22-2-22.7 analysis and the determination required from the Budget Agency and OMB under IC 4-22-2-22.8.

☐ Commenter identifies an assumption, cost, benefit, or alternative in the published analysis that requires correction
☐ Commenter supplies supporting data for the Agency's consideration

VIII. REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARING TESTIMONY

☐ Commenter intends to testify at the public hearing stated in the current notice on [__/__/____] at [________________________________].

☐ Commenter requests that the hearing location be accessible to Indiana businesses outside of Indianapolis; suggest scheduling an additional hearing in [city]: [________________________________].

☐ Commenter requests written submission in lieu of hearing appearance for the record.

IX. REQUEST FOR AGENCY RESPONSE

Commenter respectfully requests that the Agency:

1. Fully consider these comments under IC 4-22-2-27;
2. Include these comments in the summary and response process required by IC 4-22-2-27.5;
3. Notify Commenter if a second comment period is opened under Ind. Code § 4-22-2-24;
4. Notify Commenter at the address above when the final rule is published in the Indiana Register; and
5. Identify any change made to the proposed text in response to the rulemaking record.

X. EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS

☐ No exhibits attached at this time.

XI. CERTIFICATION OF TIMELY SUBMISSION

I certify that these comments are being submitted on or before the comment deadline of [__/__/____] as published in the Indiana Register notice for IAC [________________________________].

Method of Submission:
☐ Electronic method specified in the current notice: [________________________________]
☐ Mail or delivery method specified in the current notice: [________________________________]
☐ Other method expressly specified in the current notice: [________________________________]

Receipt or transmission confirmation: [________________________________]

XII. CONCLUSION

For the reasons stated in detail above, [Commenter Name] respectfully requests that [Agency Name]:

1. [Specific requested change #1]
2. [Specific requested change #2]
3. [Specific requested change #3]
4. Conduct a second public-comment period if a trigger in IC 4-22-2-24 applies

We are available to provide additional information or technical assistance to the Agency. Please direct inquiries to:

[________________________________] (Contact Name)
[________________________________] (Title)
[________________________________] (Organization)
[________________________________] (Address)
[________________________________] (Email)
[________________________________] (Phone)

Respectfully submitted,

Signature: ___________________________

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Title: [________________________________]

Organization: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

Comment Preparation Checklist

Before Submitting Comments

☐ Check the Indiana Register at iar.iga.in.gov for the proposed rule notice
☐ Review the proposed text, regulatory analysis, determination, and other materials linked in the notice
☐ Confirm the public hearing date, location, and remote-attendance method
☐ Confirm the written comment deadline
☐ Obtain the full text of the proposed rule from the Indiana Register
☐ Review the agency's fiscal and economic impact analysis
☐ Review the agency's enabling statute (Indiana Code chapter) for scope of authority
☐ Identify each specific IAC provision of concern
☐ Research Indiana statutory and case law relevant to the issues
☐ Gather supporting data, cost estimates, and operational facts
☐ Draft alternative regulatory language for each challenged provision
☐ Address facts relevant to either second-period trigger in IC 4-22-2-24
☐ Compare the agency's regulatory analysis with supporting cost and benefit evidence
☐ Prepare to testify at the public hearing if warranted
☐ Submit comments before the deadline; retain proof of submission
☐ Retain copies of all submitted comments and exhibits

Common Issues to Raise in Comments

☐ Agency exceeded its statutory authority under the Indiana Code enabling statute
☐ Rule conflicts with another provision of the Indiana Administrative Code
☐ Rule conflicts with applicable federal law or regulation
☐ First-period publication package did not comply with IC 4-22-2-23
☐ Inadequate fiscal or economic impact analysis
☐ Small business impact not adequately considered
☐ Alternative regulatory approaches not examined
☐ Compliance deadline is unreasonably short
☐ Key terms are undefined, ambiguous, or overbroad
☐ A trigger in IC 4-22-2-24 requires a second public-comment period
☐ Constitutional concerns — Indiana or U.S. Constitution
☐ Rule imposes retroactive obligations without express statutory authority

Indiana-Specific Statutory and Regulatory References

Key Resources:

• Indiana Register: iar.iga.in.gov
• Indiana Administrative Code: iar.iga.in.gov
• Official current Indiana Code Chapter 4-22-2 PDF: https://iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_4/Article_22/Chapter_2.pdf
• Current proposed-rule notice and materials: [OFFICIAL INDIANA REGISTER URL]

This template is for informational and drafting purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Consult an Indiana-licensed attorney before submitting formal comments on proposed rulemaking.