Virginia Regulatory Town Hall

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Public Participation Guidelines
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7VAC10-10

CHAPTER 10
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
 (Repealed.)

7VAC10-10-10

Part I
General Information

7VAC10-10-10. Definitions.  (Repealed.)

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Department" means the Department of Minority Business Enterprise.

"Director" means the Director of the Department of Minority Business Enterprise.

"Person" means any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, association, one or more individuals, or any unit of government or agency thereof.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §1.1, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-10-20

7VAC10-10-20. Policy. (Repealed.)

The department shall seek public participation from interested parties prior to formation and during the drafting, promulgation and final adoption process of regulations.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §1.2, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-10-30

7VAC10-10-30. Application. (Repealed.)

These guidelines apply to all regulations adopted by the department except for emergency regulations adopted in accordance with §9-6.14:9 of the Code of Virginia and such regulations as may be otherwise excluded as identified in the Code of Virginia.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §1.3, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-10-40

Part II
Initiation of Process

7VAC10-10-40. Department review. (Repealed.)

The department shall review the effectiveness and need for these regulations on an annual basis.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §2.1, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-10-50

7VAC10-10-50. Formal request for action. (Repealed.)

Any person may formally request the director to adopt, amend, or delete any regulation. The request shall be in writing and shall state the name and address of the person interested in the proposed action; the recommended addition, deletion or amendment to a specific regulation; and the anticipated impact on persons affected by the regulation. If the director determines not to act upon a formal request, he shall provide a written response not to act within 90 days from the date of the request. The director shall have sole authority to dispose of the formal request.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §2.2, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-10-60

Part III
Public Participation

7VAC10-10-60. Notice of intended regulatory action. (Repealed.)

When the director deems it necessary to develop new regulations or make changes to an existing regulation, a "Notice of Intended Regulatory Action" (form RR01) will be published in the Virginia Register. This notice will invite those interested in providing input to notify the department of their interest. This notice will contain a brief and concise statement of the proposed regulation or change in the regulation and invite interested persons to provide written comment on the subject matter.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §3.1, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-10-70

7VAC10-10-70. Identification of interested persons. (Repealed.)

The department shall identify persons whom it believes would be interested in or affected by the regulation. To do so, the department will use the following:

1. A directory or listing of minority businesses maintained by the department;

2. A listing of persons who request to be placed on the mailing list;

3. A listing of persons who previously participated in public proceedings concerning related subjects or issues; and

4. The department may also use other mailing lists or publish a notice of a public hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in Virginia.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §3.2, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-10-80

7VAC10-10-80. Informational proceeding. (Repealed.)

The director or any representative designated for such purpose may hold informational proceedings on any new regulation or proposed changes to existing regulations. In notifying the public, the department shall file a "Notice of Meeting" (form RR06) with the Virginia Register of Regulations. Such persons desiring to comment shall be encouraged to provide a written copy of their statement to the department.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §3.3, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-10-90

Part IV
Advisory Panel

7VAC10-10-90. Establishment. (Repealed.)

The director may establish an advisory panel to comment or make recommendations on new regulations or changes to existing regulations. The panel shall be at least five and no more than seven members in number.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §4.1, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-10-100

7VAC10-10-100. Panel membership. (Repealed.)

At least one member shall be a representative from a minority business enterprise; one member shall be employed by an office responsible for a federal, state, or local small or minority assistance program; one member with shall have race relations, equal opportunity or related experience and interest; and one member shall be employed by government with procurement or purchasing responsibility. The balance of the panel shall be at-large members who have expressed or may have an interest in the regulation.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §4.2, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-10-110

7VAC10-10-110. Orientation of panel. (Repealed.)

Panel members will be oriented to the department, its program, issues, constraints, entities to be affected, options and time limitations. The panel will discuss and make recommendations which will be considered in the drafting and adopting of regulations. Once the regulations have been developed, the panel will review them and continue to participate during the promulgation process.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §4.3, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-10-120

Part V
Final

7VAC10-10-120. Adoption. (Repealed.)

After proposed regulations have been developed by the department in accordance with these guidelines, they shall be submitted for public comment and adopted in final form in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§9-6.14:1 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §5.1, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-10-130

7VAC10-10-130. Final action. (Repealed.)

After proposed action on a regulation has been approved, the final regulation will be printed in the Virginia Register of Regulations.

Copies of final regulations shall be printed and will be available by writing the Department of Minority Business Enterprise at its office in Richmond, Virginia.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-1403 and 2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR486-01-01 §5.2, eff. February 13, 1991.

7VAC10-11

CHAPTER 11
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

7VAC10-11-10

Part I
Purpose and Definitions

7VAC10-11-10. Purpose.

The department shall adopt regulations to implement certification programs for small, women- and minority-owned businesses, which regulations are exempt by statute from the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq.) pursuant to subdivision B 2 of § 2.2-4002. The department, however, may seek public participation from interested parties prior to formation and during the drafting, promulgation and final adoption process of regulations as provided for in this chapter.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public involvement in the development, amendment or repeal of the regulations of the Department of Minority Business Enterprise.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-4007.02 and 2.2-1403 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume , Issue , eff. Month dd, yyyy.

7VAC10-11-20

7VAC10-11-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administrative Process Act" means Chapter 40 (§2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Agency" means the Department of Minority Business Enterprise, which is the unit of state government empowered by the agency's basic law to make regulations which are exempt by statute from the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-400 et seq.) or decide cases. Actions specified in this chapter may be fulfilled by state employees as delegated by the agency.

"Basic law" means provisions in the Code of Virginia that delineate the basic authority and responsibilities of an agency.

"Commonwealth Calendar" means the electronic calendar for official government meetings open to the public as required by §2.2-3707 C of the Freedom of Information Act.

''Negotiated rulemaking panel'' or ''NRP'' means an ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by an agency to consider issues that are controversial with the assistance of a facilitator or mediator, for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the development of a proposed regulatory action.

"Notification list" means a list used to notify persons pursuant to this chapter. Such a list may include an electronic list maintained through the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall or other list maintained by the agency.

"Open meeting" means any scheduled gathering of a unit of state government empowered by an agency's basic law to make regulations or decide cases, which is related to promulgating, amending or repealing a regulation.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

"Public hearing" means a scheduled time at which members or staff of the agency will meet for the purpose of receiving public comment on a regulatory action.

"Regulation" means any statement of general application having the force of law, affecting the rights or conduct of any person, adopted by the agency in accordance with the authority conferred on it by applicable laws.

"Regulatory action" means the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a regulation by the agency.

"Regulatory advisory panel" or "RAP" means a standing or ad hoc advisory panel of interested parties established by the agency for the purpose of assisting in regulatory actions.

"Town Hall" means the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, the website operated by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget at www.townhall.virginia.gov, which has online public comment forums and displays information about regulatory meetings and regulatory actions under consideration in Virginia and sends this information to registered public users.

"Virginia Register" means the Virginia Register of Regulations, the publication that provides official legal notice of new, amended and repealed regulations of state agencies, which is published under the provisions of Article 6 (§2.2-4031 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-4007.02 and 2.2-1403 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume , Issue , eff. Month dd, yyyy.

7VAC10-11-30

Part II
Notification of Interested Persons

7VAC10-11-30. Notification list.

A. The agency may maintain a list of persons who have requested to be notified of regulatory actions being pursued by the agency.

B. Any person may request to be placed on a notification list by registering as a public user on the Town Hall or by making a request to the agency. Any person who requests to be placed on a notification list shall elect to be notified either by electronic means or through a postal carrier.

C. The agency may maintain additional lists for persons who have requested to be informed of specific regulatory issues, proposals, or actions.

D. When electronic mail is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions at least 24 hours apart, that person may be deleted from the list. A single undeliverable message is insufficient cause to delete the person from the list.

E. When mail delivered by a postal carrier is returned as undeliverable on multiple occasions, that person may be deleted from the list.

F. The agency may periodically request those persons on the notification list to indicate their desire to either continue to be notified electronically, receive documents through a postal carrier, or be deleted from the list.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-4007.02 and 2.2-1403 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume , Issue , eff. Month dd, yyyy.

7VAC10-11-40

7VAC10-11-40. Information to be sent to persons on the notification list.

A. To persons electing to receive electronic notification or notification through a postal carrier as described in 7VAC10-11-30, the agency will send the following information:

1.         A notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2.         A notice of the comment period on a proposed, a reproposed, or a fast-track regulation and hyperlinks to, or instructions on how to obtain, a copy of the regulation and any supporting documents.

3.         A notice soliciting comment on a final regulation when the regulatory process has been extended pursuant to §2.2-4007.06 or 2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

B. The failure of any person to receive any notice or copies of any documents shall not affect the validity of any regulation or regulatory action.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-4007.02 and 2.2-1403 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume , Issue , eff. Month dd, yyyy.

7VAC10-11-50

Part III
Public Participation Procedures

7VAC10-11-50. Public comment.

A. In considering any nonemergency, nonexempt regulatory action, the agency may afford interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, and arguments, either orally or in writing, to the agency. Such opportunity to comment may include an online public comment forum on the Town Hall.

1.         To any requesting person, the agency may provide copies of the statement of basis, purpose, substance, and issues; the economic impact analysis of the proposed or fast-track regulatory action; and the agency's response to public comments received.

2.         The agency may begin crafting a regulatory action prior to or during any opportunities it provides to the public to submit comments.

B. The agency may accept public comments in writing after the publication of a regulatory action in the Virginia Register as follows:

1.         For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action (NOIRA).

2.         For a minimum of 60 calendar days following the publication of a proposed regulation.

3.         For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a reproposed regulation.

4.         For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a final adopted regulation.

5.         For a minimum of 30 calendar days following the publication of a fast-track regulation.

6.         For a minimum of 21 calendar days following the publication of a notice of periodic review.

7.         Not later than 21 calendar days following the publication of a petition for rulemaking.

C. The agency may determine if any of the comment periods listed in subsection B of this section shall be extended.

D. If the Governor finds that one or more changes with substantial impact have been made to a proposed regulation, he may require the agency to provide an additional 30 calendar days to solicit additional public comment on the changes in accordance with §2.2-4013 C of the Code of Virginia.

E. The agency may send a draft of the agency's summary description of public comment to all public commenters on the proposed regulation at least five days before final adoption of the regulation pursuant to §2.2-4012 E of the Code of Virginia.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-4007.02 and 2.2-1403 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume , Issue , eff. Month dd, yyyy.

7VAC10-11-60

7VAC10-11-60. Petition for rulemaking.

A. As provided in §2.2-4007 of the Code of Virginia, any person may petition the agency to consider a regulatory action.

B. A petition shall include but is not limited to the following information:

1.          The petitioner's name and contact information;

2.         The substance and purpose of the rulemaking that is requested, including reference to any applicable Virginia Administrative Code sections; and

3.        Reference to the legal authority of the agency to take the action requested.

C. The agency shall receive, consider and respond to a petition pursuant to §2.2-4007 and shall have the sole authority to dispose of the petition.

D. The petition shall be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

E. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the agency from receiving information or from proceeding on its own motion for rulemaking.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-4007.02 and 2.2-1403 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume , Issue , eff. Month dd, yyyy.

7VAC10-11-70

7VAC10-11-70. Appointment of regulatory advisory panel.

A. The agency may appoint a regulatory advisory panel (RAP) to provide professional specialization or technical assistance when the agency determines that such expertise may be necessary to address a specific regulatory issue or action or when individuals indicate an interest in working with the agency on a specific regulatory issue or action.

B. Any person may request the appointment of a RAP and request to participate in its activities. The agency shall determine whether a RAP is necessary, when a RAP shall be appointed, and the composition of the RAP.

C. A RAP may be dissolved by the agency if:

1.          The proposed text of the regulation is posted on the Town Hall, published in the Virginia Register, or such other time as the agency determines is appropriate; or

2.         The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act.

 Statutory Authority

§§2.2-4007.02 and 2.2-1403 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume , Issue , eff. Month dd, yyyy.

7VAC10-11-80

7VAC10-11-80. Appointment of negotiated rulemaking panel.

A. The agency may appoint a negotiated rulemaking panel (NRP) if a regulatory action is expected to be controversial.

B. An NRP that has been appointed by the agency may be dissolved by the agency when:

1.    There is no longer controversy associated with the development of the regulation;

2.   The agency determines that the regulatory action is either exempt or excluded from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act; or

3.  The agency determines that resolution of a controversy is unlikely.

 Statutory Authority

§§2.2-4007.02 and 2.2-1403 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume , Issue , eff. Month dd, yyyy.

7VAC10-11-90

7VAC10-11-90. Meetings.

Notice of any open meeting, including meetings of a RAP or NRP, shall be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven working days prior to the date of the meeting. The exception to this requirement is any meeting held in accordance with §2.2-3707 D of the Code of Virginia allowing for contemporaneous notice to be provided to participants and the public.

 Statutory Authority

§§2.2-4007.02 and 2.2-1403 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume , Issue , eff. Month dd, yyyy.

7VAC10-11-100

7VAC10-11-100. Public hearings on regulations.

A. The agency will indicate in its notice of intended regulatory action whether it plans to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed stage of the regulatory action.

B. The agency may conduct one or more public hearings during the comment period following the publication of a proposed regulatory action.

C. An agency is required to hold a public hearing following the publication of the proposed regulatory action when:

1.          The Governor directs the agency to hold a public hearing; or

2.         The agency receives requests for a public hearing from at least 25 persons during the public comment period following the publication of the notice of intended regulatory action.

D. Notice of any public hearing will be posted on the Town Hall and Commonwealth Calendar at least seven (7) working days prior to the date of the hearing. The agency will also notify those persons who requested a hearing under subdivision C 3 of this section.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-4007.02 and 2.2-1403 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume , Issue , eff. Month dd, yyyy.

7VAC10-11-110

7VAC10-11-110. Periodic review of regulations.

A. The agency may conduct a periodic review of its regulations consistent with: i) An executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to §2.2-4017 of the Administrative Process Act to receive comment on all existing regulations as to their effectiveness, efficiency, necessity, clarity, and cost of compliance; and ii) The requirements in §2.2-4007.1 of the Administrative Process Act regarding regulatory flexibility for small businesses.

B. A periodic review may be conducted separately or in conjunction with other regulatory actions.

C. Notice of a periodic review may be posted on the Town Hall and published in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority

§§2.2-4007.02 and 2.2-1403 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume , Issue , eff. Month dd, yyyy.