Legal Reference Sources

About Rules & Regulations

Rules and regulations explain how laws are carried out in practice.

While legislatures pass statutes, government agencies issue detailed regulations to put those laws into effect. These regulations are published in official codes (organized by subject) and in registers (daily updates that include proposed and newly adopted rules). 

For example, Congress may pass an environmental law, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues the regulations that spell out the limits on air pollution.

Use the resources below to find both current and historical federal and state regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations/ Federal Register

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) organizes the permanent rules of federal agencies by subject.

The Federal Register is the daily publication for proposed and final rules, notices, and executive orders.

State Rules & Regulations

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