What is assessed during the rulemaking record?

The rulemaking record includes all comments and proceedings related to the rule. This comprehensive assessment ensures that a wide range of perspectives is considered, providing a holistic view of the potential impacts and implications of the rule being proposed. By capturing all relevant feedback, including concerns, support, and suggestions from stakeholders, the process promotes transparency and allows for informed decision-making. This thorough documentation is essential for regulatory bodies to create rules that are balanced, fair, and relevant to the needs of the public and the context in which the rules will be applied.

In contrast, limiting the assessment to only opinions from government employees would exclude valuable insights from the public and other stakeholders. Similarly, focusing solely on comments in favor of the rule would create a biased record that does not reflect the full array of public sentiment. Lastly, assessing only the personal views of the regulatory authority would undermine the necessary broader engagement with the community, which is critical to effective rulemaking.