Regulatory Comment Letter

REGULATORY COMMENT LETTER — NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Regulatory Framework Overview

New Jersey's rulemaking and regulatory comment process is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1 et seq., and the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) Rules for Agency Rulemaking, N.J.A.C. 1:30. The OAL's Division of Administrative Rules reviews all State Executive Branch rulemaking notices for compliance with the APA, and processes these notices for publication in the New Jersey Register, which is published twice monthly.

New Jersey imposes a mandatory expiration on administrative rules: all rules are subject to a seven-year expiration period under N.J.S.A. 52:14B-5.1, after which they must be readopted or they automatically expire. This creates periodic opportunities for public comment during the readoption process.

Key New Jersey Agencies Accepting Regulatory Comments

• Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) — air quality, water resources, waste management, land use, coastal management
• Board of Public Utilities (BPU) — electric, gas, water, telecommunications, cable utilities
• Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) — insurance regulation, banking, real estate
• Department of Health (DOH) — public health, health care facility licensing, vital statistics
• Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) — wage and hour, workplace safety, workers' compensation
• Department of Community Affairs (DCA) — building codes, housing, local government
• Department of the Treasury — taxation, revenue, pension administration
• Department of Education (DOE) — education standards, school finance
• Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA-Consumer) — professional and occupational licensing boards

New Jersey Rulemaking Process Summary

1. Agency files Notice of Proposal with OAL for publication in the New Jersey Register
2. Minimum 30-day public comment period (60 days for rules with substantial changes)
3. Agency may hold public hearing (required if requested or at agency discretion)
4. Agency reviews comments and prepares Response to Comments
5. Agency files Notice of Adoption with OAL (must adopt within one year of proposal)
6. If substantial changes made, agency must re-propose with new comment period
7. Adopted rule published in New Jersey Register and codified in N.J.A.C.
8. Rules expire after 7 years unless readopted (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-5.1)

Type of Regulatory Comment

☐ Comment on Notice of Proposal (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-4)
☐ Comment on Rule Readoption / Seven-Year Expiration (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-5.1)
☐ Comment on Existing Rule — Request for Amendment or Repeal
☐ Comment on Agency Guidance Document or Technical Manual
☐ Comment on Agency Enforcement Policy or Compliance Advisory
☐ Petition for Rulemaking (N.J.A.C. 1:30-4.1)
☐ Petition for Declaratory Ruling (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-8)
☐ Request for Waiver from Existing Rule (N.J.A.C. 1:30-3.6)
☐ Request for No-Action Letter or Advisory Opinion
☐ Comment on Concurrent Federal Proposal Affecting NJ Regulation
☐ Public Comment on BPU Petition or Proceeding

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 Head / Rulemaking Contact]
[Title]
[Agency Name]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[City], New Jersey [____]

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

C. Reference Line

Re:     Regulatory Comment — [________________________________]
        New Jersey Register Citation: [____] N.J.R. [____] ([__/__/____])
        N.J.A.C. Citation: N.J.A.C. [________________________________]
        PRN (Proposal Registration Number): [________________________________]
        Agency: [________________________________]
        Comment Period Deadline: [__/__/____]

D. Introduction

Dear [________________________________]:

On behalf of [________________________________] ("Commenter"), [I/we] respectfully submit the following comments in response to [the Notice of Proposal / the readoption proposal / the agency guidance document / the enforcement policy / the BPU petition] published by [________________________________] (the "Agency") in the New Jersey Register on [__/__/____], [____] N.J.R. [____], concerning [________________________________] (the "Proposed Action").

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

This comment is timely filed within the [30/60]-day comment period established by N.J.S.A. 52:14B-4(a)(3).

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 [adopt / amend / readopt / interpret] the [rule / guidance / policy] at issue derives from:

• Enabling Statute: N.J.S.A. [________________________________]
• Administrative Procedure Act: N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1 et seq.
• OAL Rulemaking Rules: N.J.A.C. 1:30
• Relevant N.J.A.C. Section(s): N.J.A.C. [________________________________]
• Related Federal Law (if applicable): [________________________________]

Under N.J.S.A. 52:14B-4(a)(3), the Agency must afford all interested persons reasonable opportunity to submit data, views, or arguments, orally or in writing. The Agency must consider fully all written and oral submissions respecting the proposed 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. Economic Impact and Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

Under N.J.S.A. 52:14B-4(a)(2), the Agency must include in its Notice of Proposal a statement of the social, economic, and environmental impact of the proposed rule. Commenter offers the following analysis:

Estimated Compliance Cost: $[________________________________]

Impact on Small Businesses (NJ Regulatory Flexibility Act, N.J.S.A. 52:14B-16 et seq.):
[________________________________]

Impact on New Jersey Employment: [________________________________]

Environmental Impact: [________________________________]

Federal Standards Analysis (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-22 et seq.):
[________________________________]

Note: Under the New Jersey Federal Standards Analysis Act (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-22 et seq.), the Agency must identify any federal standards or requirements applicable to the proposed rule and explain any deviation from those standards.

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 / re-propose] the Proposed Action [in its entirety / as specifically described herein].

Commenter [☐ requests / ☐ does not request] an opportunity to present oral testimony at a public hearing, if scheduled.

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

Important Timing Note: Under N.J.S.A. 52:14B-4(a)(4), the Agency must adopt the proposed rule within one year of the date of publication of the Notice of Proposal. If not adopted within that period, the proposal lapses and must be re-proposed.

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)
☐ Federal Standards Comparison

L. Signature Block

Respectfully submitted,

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

Date: [__/__/____]

PART II: PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-8)

Under N.J.S.A. 52:14B-8, any interested person may petition an agency, in its discretion, for a declaratory ruling as to the applicability of any statute, rule, or order enforced or administered by the agency to any person, property, or state of facts.

Declaratory Ruling Petition Template

BEFORE THE [AGENCY NAME]
STATE OF NEW JERSEY

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

TO THE [AGENCY NAME]:

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:14B-8 and N.J.A.C. [________________________________] (if applicable), the undersigned Petitioner respectfully requests a declaratory ruling:

1. Petitioner Information:

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

2. Statute, Rule, or Order at Issue:

• N.J.S.A. [________________________________]
• N.J.A.C. [________________________________]

3. Statement of 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 [________________________________].

Note: The Agency has discretion whether to issue a declaratory ruling. If the Agency declines to issue a ruling, or if the ruling is adverse, Petitioner may seek judicial review.

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

PART III: REQUEST FOR WAIVER (N.J.A.C. 1:30-3.6)

Under N.J.A.C. 1:30-3.6, an agency may, upon application, grant a waiver from the requirements of a rule if the applicant demonstrates that the purpose of the rule can be met in an alternative manner.

[LETTERHEAD]

Date: [__/__/____]

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

Re:     Request for Waiver from [________________________________]
        N.J.A.C. Citation: N.J.A.C. [________________________________]
        Applicant: [________________________________]

Dear [________________________________]:

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 1:30-3.6, [________________________________] ("Applicant") respectfully requests a waiver from the requirements of the above-referenced rule.

1. Rule from Which Waiver is Sought:
N.J.A.C. [________________________________]

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

3. Factual Basis for Request:
[________________________________]

4. How the Purpose of the Rule Will Still Be Achieved:
[________________________________]

5. Hardship or Impracticability of Compliance:
[________________________________]

6. Alternative Compliance Measures Proposed:
[________________________________]

7. Impact on Public Health, Safety, and Welfare:
[________________________________]

8. Duration of Requested Waiver:
☐ Permanent ☐ Temporary — through [__/__/____]

9. Supporting Documentation:
☐ Factual exhibits
☐ Technical analysis
☐ Compliance cost comparison

Respectfully submitted,

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

PART IV: COMMENT ON AGENCY GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

[LETTERHEAD]

Date: [__/__/____]

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

Re:     Comment on Agency Guidance Document / Technical Manual / Compliance Advisory
        Document Title: [________________________________]
        Date Published: [__/__/____]

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 N.J.A.C.
☐ The guidance constitutes a "rule" under N.J.S.A. 52:14B-2(e) and requires formal rulemaking
☐ The guidance is ambiguous or unclear in application
☐ The guidance imposes requirements not authorized by statute or rule
☐ The guidance is inconsistent with federal standards (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-22 et seq.)
☐ The guidance creates an unfunded mandate on local government or private entities
☐ Other: [________________________________]

2. Specific Provisions at Issue:
[________________________________]

3. Analysis:
[________________________________]

Under N.J.S.A. 52:14B-2(e), a "rule" or "administrative rule" is defined as each agency statement of general applicability and continuing effect that implements or interprets law or policy, or describes the organization, procedure, or practice requirements of any agency. If this guidance document meets that definition, the Agency must either withdraw it or submit it through formal rulemaking procedures under N.J.S.A. 52:14B-4.

4. Requested Action:
☐ Withdraw the guidance document
☐ Revise the guidance document to address the concerns identified above
☐ Initiate formal rulemaking under N.J.S.A. 52:14B-4
☐ Issue a declaratory ruling under N.J.S.A. 52:14B-8
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Respectfully submitted,

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

PART V: PETITION FOR RULEMAKING (N.J.A.C. 1:30-4.1)

Under N.J.A.C. 1:30-4.1, any interested person may petition an agency to adopt a new rule or amend or repeal any existing rule.

[LETTERHEAD]

Date: [__/__/____]

[Agency Head]
[Agency Name]
[Address]

Re:     Petition for Rulemaking Under N.J.A.C. 1:30-4.1

Dear [________________________________]:

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 1:30-4.1, [________________________________] ("Petitioner") respectfully petitions the Agency to [☐ adopt a new rule / ☐ amend an existing rule / ☐ repeal an existing rule]:

1. Description of Proposed Action:
[________________________________]

2. Existing Rule Affected (if applicable):
N.J.A.C. [________________________________]

3. Statutory Authority:
N.J.S.A. [________________________________]

4. Reasons for the Proposed Action:
[________________________________]

5. Proposed Rule Text (if applicable):
[________________________________]

6. Impact Analysis:
[________________________________]

Note: Under N.J.A.C. 1:30-4.2, the Agency must respond to this petition within 60 days of receipt.

Respectfully submitted,

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

PART VI: COMMENT PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Before Submitting Your Comment

☐ Verified the comment period deadline (minimum 30 days; 60 days for substantial changes)
☐ Confirmed correct agency contact and submission method
☐ Reviewed full text of the Notice of Proposal in the New Jersey Register
☐ Reviewed the Agency's Social Impact Statement
☐ Reviewed the Agency's Economic Impact Statement
☐ Reviewed the Agency's Federal Standards Analysis (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-22)
☐ Reviewed the Agency's Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-16)
☐ Reviewed the Agency's Jobs Impact Statement
☐ Identified all specific N.J.A.C. sections or provisions at issue
☐ Researched relevant enabling statutes (N.J.S.A. citations)
☐ Checked for related federal regulations or preemption issues
☐ Reviewed the seven-year expiration date for the rule chapter (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-5.1)
☐ Prepared economic/compliance cost analysis if applicable
☐ Gathered supporting data, studies, or expert opinions
☐ Drafted section-by-section comments with specific proposed language
☐ Reviewed comment for legal accuracy and professional tone

Submission Requirements

☐ Comment is addressed to the correct agency rulemaking contact
☐ Comment clearly identifies the proposed rule by N.J.R. citation and N.J.A.C. reference
☐ Comment includes the Proposal Registration Number (PRN)
☐ Comment includes commenter's full contact information
☐ Comment is filed before the deadline
☐ Retained copy of comment for records
☐ If submitting electronically, confirmed receipt acknowledgment
☐ If requesting a public hearing, stated request clearly

Post-Submission Follow-Up

☐ Confirmed receipt of comment by the Agency
☐ Calendared one-year adoption deadline for the Notice of Proposal
☐ Monitored New Jersey Register for Notice of Adoption or re-proposal
☐ Reviewed the Agency's Response to Comments when adoption is published
☐ Assessed whether any "substantial changes" trigger a new comment period
☐ Evaluated whether to seek judicial review if comment was not adequately addressed

PART VII: AGENCY RESPONSE OBLIGATIONS

Under New Jersey's APA and OAL rules, agencies have the following obligations:

Challenging Agency Non-Compliance

If the Agency fails to comply with its obligations:

☐ Petition the Office of Administrative Law for review
☐ Seek judicial review in the Appellate Division of the Superior Court
☐ File a petition for rulemaking to compel agency action
☐ Contact the Governor's office regarding Executive Order compliance
☐ Seek legislative intervention through standing committee

Sources and References

• New Jersey Administrative Procedure Act: N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1 et seq.
• Office of Administrative Law (OAL): nj.gov/oal/rules.html
• New Jersey Register: nj.gov/oal/rules.html
• New Jersey Administrative Code: lexisnexis.com/hottopics/njcode/
• OAL Rules for Agency Rulemaking: N.J.A.C. 1:30
• NJ DEP Current Rules: dep.nj.gov/rules/current-rules-and-regulations/
• NJ BPU Rulemaking: nj.gov/bpu/agenda/rules/