Regulatory Comment Letter

REGULATORY COMMENT LETTER — MICHIGAN

Michigan Regulatory Framework Overview

Michigan's rulemaking and regulatory comment process is governed by the Administrative Procedures Act of 1969 (APA), MCL 24.201 et seq. The Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules (MOAHR), a Type I agency within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), oversees the administrative rulemaking process for all state departments. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) provides legislative oversight of agency rulemaking.

Key Michigan Agencies Accepting Regulatory Comments

• Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — occupational licensing, insurance, financial services
• Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) — environmental regulations, air quality, water resources, waste management
• Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) — electric, gas, telecommunications utilities
• Department of Treasury — tax administration, revenue, financial regulation
• Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) — Medicaid, public health, social services
• Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) — insurance regulation, banking
• Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) — workplace safety

Michigan Rulemaking Process Summary

1. Agency drafts proposed rules and prepares a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS)
2. Request for Rulemaking (RFR) submitted to MOAHR
3. MOAHR reviews for compliance with MCL 24.239
4. Proposed rules published in the Michigan Register
5. Public hearing held (notice published 10-60 days before hearing date)
6. Public comment period (written and oral)
7. JCAR review (up to 15 session days)
8. Final adoption and filing with Secretary of State

Type of Regulatory Comment

☐ Comment on Proposed Rulemaking (MCL 24.241-24.242)
☐ Comment on Existing Regulation / Request for Amendment
☐ Response to Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS)
☐ Comment on Agency Guidance Document or Interpretive Statement
☐ Comment on Agency Enforcement Policy
☐ Petition for Declaratory Ruling (MCL 24.263)
☐ Petition for Rulemaking (MCL 24.239)
☐ Request for Waiver or Variance from Existing Rule
☐ Comment on Emergency Rule (MCL 24.248)
☐ Comment Submitted to JCAR Regarding Proposed or Existing Rule
☐ Request for No-Action or Advisory Letter

PART I: PRIMARY COMMENT LETTER TEMPLATE

A. Letterhead and Identification

[COMMENTER NAME / ORGANIZATION LETTERHEAD]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[City, State ZIP]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

B. Agency Addressee

[Name of Agency Director / Division Head]
[Title]
[Agency Name]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[City], Michigan [____]

Via: ☐ First-Class Mail  ☐ Email ([________________________________])
     ☐ Online Portal  ☐ Hand Delivery  ☐ Michigan Register Submission

C. Reference Line

Re:     Regulatory Comment — [________________________________]
        Michigan Register Citation: [____] Mich. Reg. [____] ([__/__/____])
        Rule Set Number: [________________________________]
        Docket/File Number: [________________________________]
        Agency: [________________________________]
        Comment Period Deadline: [__/__/____]

D. Introduction

Dear [________________________________]:

On behalf of [________________________________] ("Commenter"), [I/we] respectfully submit the following comments in response to [the proposed rulemaking / the agency guidance document / the enforcement policy / the regulatory interpretation] published by [________________________________] (the "Agency") in the Michigan Register on [__/__/____], concerning [________________________________] (the "Proposed Action").

Commenter is a [________________________________] [individual / business entity / trade association / nonprofit organization / government entity] [operating in / representing members in] [________________________________] [industry / sector / geographic area] in the State of Michigan. Commenter has a direct and substantial interest in the Proposed Action because [________________________________].

[Commenter has ☐ previously participated in / ☐ not previously participated in proceedings before this Agency regarding the subject matter of these comments.]

E. Executive Summary

Commenter [☐ supports / ☐ opposes / ☐ supports with modifications] the Proposed Action and respectfully requests that the Agency:

1. [________________________________]
2. [________________________________]
3. [________________________________]
4. [________________________________]

F. Statutory and Regulatory Background

The Agency's authority to [promulgate / amend / interpret] the [rule / guidance / policy] at issue derives from:

• Enabling Statute: [________________________________] (MCL [________________________________])
• Administrative Procedures Act: MCL 24.201 et seq.
• Relevant Administrative Code Section(s): Mich. Admin. Code R. [________________________________]
• Related Federal Law (if applicable): [________________________________]

Under MCL 24.245, the Agency must consider the comments received during the public comment period and prepare a response to each comment. The Agency is required to prepare a synopsis of comments and the Agency's response before final adoption of any rule.

G. Section-by-Section Analysis and Comments

Comment 1: [Rule Section / Provision]

Comment 2: [Rule Section / Provision]

Comment 3: [Rule Section / Provision]

[Add additional comments as needed]

H. Regulatory Impact Analysis

Under MCL 24.245a, the Agency must prepare a Regulatory Impact Statement. Commenter offers the following analysis regarding the economic and practical impact of the Proposed Action:

Compliance Cost Estimate: $[________________________________]

Impact on Small Businesses: [________________________________]

Impact on Michigan Employment: [________________________________]

Impact on State Competitiveness: [________________________________]

Availability of Less Burdensome Alternatives: [________________________________]

I. Alternatives and Recommendations

Commenter respectfully proposes the following alternative approaches:

1. Alternative A: [________________________________]
   - Advantages: [________________________________]
   - Implementation: [________________________________]

2. Alternative B: [________________________________]
   - Advantages: [________________________________]
   - Implementation: [________________________________]

J. Conclusion

For the reasons set forth above, Commenter respectfully urges the Agency to [________________________________]. Commenter requests that the Agency [adopt / modify / withdraw] the Proposed Action [in its entirety / as specifically described herein].

Commenter [☐ requests / ☐ does not request] an opportunity to present oral testimony at the public hearing scheduled for [__/__/____].

Commenter [☐ requests / ☐ does not request] notification of the Agency's final action on this matter.

K. Supporting Documentation

The following documents are attached in support of this comment:

☐ Exhibit A: [________________________________]
☐ Exhibit B: [________________________________]
☐ Exhibit C: [________________________________]
☐ Exhibit D: [________________________________]
☐ Economic Impact Analysis
☐ Technical Data / Expert Report
☐ Comparative Regulatory Analysis (other jurisdictions)

L. Signature Block

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________________
[Full Name]
[Title / Position]
[Organization]
[________________________________]
[City], Michigan [____]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

PART II: PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING (MCL 24.263)

Under MCL 24.263, any person may petition an agency for a declaratory ruling as to the applicability of a statute, rule, or order administered by the agency to an actual state of facts. A declaratory ruling is binding on the agency and the petitioner unless altered or set aside by a court.

Declaratory Ruling Petition Template

BEFORE THE [AGENCY NAME]
STATE OF MICHIGAN

In the Matter of:                    )
                                     )
Petition for Declaratory Ruling      )    File No. [________________]
Regarding [________________________________]  )
                                     )
Filed by: [________________________________]  )

TO THE [AGENCY NAME]:

Pursuant to MCL 24.263 and any applicable agency rules, the undersigned Petitioner respectfully petitions [________________________________] (the "Agency") for a declaratory ruling regarding the matters set forth below:

1. Petitioner Information:

• Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Email: [________________________________]
• Attorney (if represented): [________________________________], Bar No. [____]

2. Statute, Rule, or Order at Issue:
[________________________________]

3. Statement of Actual Facts:
[________________________________]

4. Specific Question(s) Presented:

1. [________________________________]
2. [________________________________]

5. Petitioner's Position and Legal Analysis:
[________________________________]

6. Supporting Documentation:
☐ Factual exhibits attached
☐ Legal memorandum attached
☐ Prior agency determinations on related issues

7. Requested Relief:
Petitioner respectfully requests that the Agency issue a declaratory ruling confirming that [________________________________].

________________________________________
[Signature]
[Printed Name]
[Title]
Date: [__/__/____]

PART III: REQUEST FOR WAIVER OR VARIANCE

[LETTERHEAD]

Date: [__/__/____]

[Agency Director/Division Head]
[Agency Name]
[Address]

Re:     Request for Waiver/Variance from [________________________________]
        Rule Citation: Mich. Admin. Code R. [________________________________]
        Applicant: [________________________________]

Dear [________________________________]:

Pursuant to [cite applicable agency waiver authority, if any], [________________________________] ("Applicant") respectfully requests a [☐ waiver / ☐ variance] from the requirements of [________________________________].

1. Rule from Which Waiver/Variance is Sought:
[________________________________]

2. Specific Provision(s) at Issue:
[________________________________]

3. Factual Basis for Request:
[________________________________]

4. Hardship or Impracticability:
[________________________________]

5. Alternative Compliance Measures Proposed:
[________________________________]

6. Public Health, Safety, and Welfare Considerations:
[________________________________]

7. Duration of Requested Waiver/Variance:
[________________________________]

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________________
[Signature]
[Printed Name]
[Title]
Date: [__/__/____]

PART IV: COMMENT ON AGENCY GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

[LETTERHEAD]

Date: [__/__/____]

[Agency Director/Division Head]
[Agency Name]
[Address]

Re:     Comment on Agency Guidance Document
        Document Title: [________________________________]
        Date Published: [__/__/____]
        Subject Matter: [________________________________]

Dear [________________________________]:

[________________________________] ("Commenter") respectfully submits the following comments regarding the above-referenced guidance document issued by [________________________________].

1. Nature of Concern:
☐ The guidance exceeds the Agency's statutory authority
☐ The guidance conflicts with existing rules in the Michigan Administrative Code
☐ The guidance constitutes a "rule" under MCL 24.207 and should undergo formal rulemaking
☐ The guidance is ambiguous or unclear in application
☐ The guidance imposes requirements not authorized by statute or rule
☐ Other: [________________________________]

2. Specific Provisions at Issue:
[________________________________]

3. Analysis:
[________________________________]

Under Michigan law, an agency statement of general applicability that implements, interprets, or prescribes law or policy constitutes a "rule" under MCL 24.207 and must be promulgated through formal rulemaking procedures. If this guidance document meets that definition, Commenter respectfully requests that the Agency either withdraw the guidance or initiate formal rulemaking.

4. Requested Action:
☐ Withdraw the guidance document
☐ Revise the guidance document to address the concerns identified above
☐ Initiate formal rulemaking under MCL 24.239
☐ Issue a declaratory ruling clarifying the guidance's applicability
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Respectfully submitted,

________________________________________
[Signature]
[Printed Name]
[Title]
Date: [__/__/____]

PART V: COMMENT PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Before Submitting Your Comment

☐ Verified the comment period deadline (check Michigan Register publication date)
☐ Confirmed correct agency and submission address/method
☐ Reviewed the full text of the proposed rule, guidance, or policy
☐ Reviewed the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) if available
☐ Reviewed the Agency's statement of purpose and need
☐ Identified all specific rule sections or provisions at issue
☐ Researched relevant statutes (MCL citations)
☐ Researched relevant existing administrative code provisions (Mich. Admin. Code)
☐ Checked for related federal regulations or preemption issues
☐ Prepared economic/compliance cost analysis if applicable
☐ Gathered supporting data, studies, or expert opinions
☐ Drafted section-by-section comments with specific proposed language changes
☐ Identified less burdensome alternatives where applicable
☐ Reviewed comment for legal accuracy and professional tone

Submission Requirements

☐ Comment is addressed to the correct agency contact
☐ Comment clearly identifies the proposed rule or action by Register citation
☐ Comment includes commenter's full contact information
☐ Comment is filed before the deadline (postmark vs. receipt — confirm with agency)
☐ Retained copy of comment for records
☐ If submitting electronically, confirmed receipt acknowledgment
☐ If requesting oral testimony at public hearing, noted hearing date and location

Post-Submission Follow-Up

☐ Confirmed receipt of comment by the Agency
☐ Calendared public hearing date (if applicable): [__/__/____]
☐ Calendared JCAR review period
☐ Monitoring Michigan Register for Agency response to comments
☐ Monitoring Michigan Register for final rule adoption
☐ Prepared for potential oral testimony
☐ Contacted JCAR if legislative oversight concerns exist (MCL 24.235a)

PART VI: AGENCY RESPONSE OBLIGATIONS

Under Michigan's APA, agencies have the following obligations when processing regulatory comments:

Challenging Agency Non-Compliance

If the Agency fails to comply with its obligations:

☐ File complaint with JCAR (contact: council.legislature.mi.gov/JCAR)
☐ Petition for judicial review under MCL 24.264
☐ Seek injunctive relief in circuit court
☐ File complaint with MOAHR regarding procedural violations

Sources and References

• Michigan Administrative Procedures Act: MCL 24.201 et seq.
• Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules (MOAHR): michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/moahr
• Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR): council.legislature.mi.gov/JCAR
• Michigan Register: michigan.gov/lara (search "Michigan Register")
• Michigan Administrative Code: ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us
• EGLE Administrative Procedures: michigan.gov/egle/regulatory-assistance/regulations/administrative-procedures