The Office of Legislative Services, Administrative Rules is the New Hampshire state government office where all proposed and adopted administrative rules subject to RSA 541-A, the Administrative Procedure Act, must be filed by state executive branch agencies to make the adopted rules effective and therefore have the force of law. Together the effective agency rules comprise the New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules.

The Administrative Rules Office also serves as the clerical and legal staff to the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR), a 10-member joint House and Senate committee which provides legislative oversight for the rulemaking process and the rules proposed and adopted by executive branch agencies pursuant to RSA 541-A. The JLCAR may make final objections to a rule, which shifts the burden of proof to the agency pursuant to RSA 541-A:13 VI on the lawfulness of the rule in a court challenge or court enforcement action of the rule. The JLCAR may also vote to sponsor a joint resolution to a rule, which delays its adoption for a limited time in order for the legislature to consider the joint resolution pursuant to RSA 541-A:13, VII. Only legislative action on the joint resolution may stop adoption of a rule permanently.

EMERGENCY RULES CURRENTLY IN EFFECT

EFFECTIVE ADOPTED RULES AS FILED

SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARING DATES

Notices

NEW: Electronic Filing Through Agency Portal Notice

Memo 9-20-23 on RSA 541-A Amendments EFFECTIVE in 2023

Memo to Agencies - No More Original Paper Copies Necessary

June 18, 2021 Continuation of Electronic Filing: All Agencies

Drafting and Procedure Manual for Administrative Rules EFFECTIVE 5/1/16, AS AMENDED EFFECTIVE 8-1-19

• Memo 3-21-21 on Summary of RSA-541-A Amendments EFFECTIVE in 2017-2020
• Memo 7-29-21 on Summary of RSA-541-A Amendments EFFECTIVE in 2021
• Memo 10-10-22 on Summary of RSA 541-A Amendments EFFECTIVE in 2022