PUBLIC COMMENT LETTER ON PROPOSED RULE
[Full Title of Proposed Rule]
Arkansas Register Reference: [REGISTER CITATION]
Submitted To:
[AGENCY NAME]
[Office/Division, if any]
[Agency Address]
Submitted By:
[COMMENTER NAME] ("Commenter")
[Affiliation / Organization]
[Address]
[Email] | [Telephone]
Submission Date: [DATE]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Document Header
- Definitions
- Executive Summary
- Commenter Identification & Standing
- Statutory & Regulatory Framework
- General Comments
6.1 APA Compliance
6.2 Policy Considerations - Section-by-Section Comments
- Economic Impact Analysis
- Alternatives & Recommendations
- Procedural Requests
- Reservation of Rights
- Conclusion
- Exhibits & Supporting Materials
- Execution Block
1. DOCUMENT HEADER
This Public Comment Letter ("Comment Letter") is submitted pursuant to the notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Arkansas Register (the "Notice") in which the [AGENCY NAME] (the "Agency") requests public comment on the above-captioned proposed rule (the "Proposed Rule") under the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, Ark. Code Ann. Section 25-15-201 et seq.
[// GUIDANCE: Insert concise recitals describing the purpose of the Proposed Rule and the Agency's stated objectives.]
2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Comment Letter, the following terms have the meanings set forth below. Defined terms appear in bold when first used.
"APA" means the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, Ark. Code Ann. Section 25-15-201 et seq.
"Commenter" has the meaning provided in the preamble above.
"Notice" has the meaning provided in Section 1.
"Proposed Rule" has the meaning provided in Section 1.
"Record" means the administrative record compiled by the Agency in this rulemaking.
[// GUIDANCE: Add or delete definitions to match the subject matter.]
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- The Commenter supports the Agency's overarching goal of [STATE POLICY GOAL], but believes certain provisions of the Proposed Rule warrant revision.
- Key recommendations include:
1. Clarify scope of [SPECIFIC SECTION] to avoid unintended coverage of [INDUSTRY/ACTIVITY].
2. Align compliance deadlines with practical implementation timeframes.
3. Incorporate a de minimis exemption for small entities.
[// GUIDANCE: Keep summary to one page for optimal readability by agency staff.]
4. COMMENTER IDENTIFICATION & STANDING
4.1 Business Overview. Commenter is a [TYPE OF ENTITY] established under the laws of Arkansas and operating in [INDUSTRY SECTOR], with approximately [NUMBER] employees and annual revenues of [$___].
4.2 Interest in Rulemaking. The Proposed Rule directly affects Commenter because [EXPLAIN NEXUS].
4.3 Authority to File. The undersigned is duly authorized to submit this Comment Letter on behalf of Commenter.
5. STATUTORY & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
5.1 Administrative Procedure Act. Under Ark. Code Ann. Section 25-15-203, the Agency must provide at least 30 days' notice before adopting a rule and afford interested persons a meaningful opportunity to comment.
5.2 Delegated Agency Authority. Section [STATUTORY CITATION] of the [ENABLING ACT] authorizes the Agency to promulgate regulations. Commenter respectfully submits that portions of the Proposed Rule exceed, or are inconsistent with, this delegation.
5.3 Legislative Review. Under Ark. Code Ann. Section 10-3-309, the Arkansas Legislative Council reviews proposed rules for compliance with legislative intent.
6. GENERAL COMMENTS
6.1 APA Compliance
a. Notice Adequacy. The Notice complies with/fails to comply with Ark. Code Ann. Section 25-15-203 requirements.
b. Reasoned Decision-Making. The preamble lacks/contains substantial evidence supporting the chosen threshold.
6.2 Policy Considerations
a. Competitive Impact. The Proposed Rule could disproportionately burden small and mid-sized entities.
b. Implementation Feasibility. Required adoption of [REQUIREMENT] within [TIMEFRAME] is impracticable.
7. SECTION-BY-SECTION COMMENTS
| Proposed Rule Citation | Comment | Recommended Revision |
|---|---|---|
| Section __.1(a) | Ambiguous definition may capture unintended activities. | Replace with: "[PROPOSED TEXT]" |
| Section __.3(c) | Compliance deadline is insufficient. | Extend to [TIMEFRAME]. |
| Section __.5 | Record-keeping requirement is overly burdensome. | Reduce retention period. |
[// GUIDANCE: Expand table as needed; ensure each comment ties to a specific citation.]
8. ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
8.1 Cost Estimates. Commenter estimates first-year compliance costs of approximately [$___] and ongoing annual costs of [$___].
8.2 Cost-Benefit Comparison. When adjusted for realistic adoption rates, the net present value of projected benefits [exceeds/falls below] costs.
8.3 Small Business Impact. Under applicable law, the Agency should consider the impact on small businesses.
9. ALTERNATIVES & RECOMMENDATIONS
- Adopt a tiered compliance schedule based on entity size.
- Utilize voluntary pilot programs to gather data before full implementation.
- Coordinate with existing federal or industry standards to minimize duplicative compliance.
10. PROCEDURAL REQUESTS
10.1 Extension of Comment Period. Should the Agency materially revise the Proposed Rule, Commenter requests a supplemental comment period.
10.2 Public Hearing. Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. Section 25-15-203, Commenter requests a public hearing to address complex issues.
11. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
Nothing in this Comment Letter shall be deemed a waiver of any procedural or substantive rights of Commenter, including the right to seek judicial review under Ark. Code Ann. Section 25-15-212.
12. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Commenter respectfully urges the Agency to revise the Proposed Rule as set forth herein to ensure the final rule is consistent with statutory authority, cost-effective, and practicable.
Should the Agency have any questions, please contact the undersigned at [CONTACT INFORMATION].
13. EXHIBITS & SUPPORTING MATERIALS
- Exhibit A - Redline of Proposed Rule Text with Commenter's Edits
- Exhibit B - Economic Impact Study
- Exhibit C - Technical Feasibility Analysis
[// GUIDANCE: Attach exhibits as separate files when submitting electronically.]
14. EXECUTION BLOCK
Respectfully submitted,
[COMMENTER NAME]
By: ___________________________
Name: [TYPED NAME]
Title: [OFFICER TITLE]
Date: [DATE]
[// GUIDANCE: Signature may be electronic. Check agency submission requirements.]