Posted on: Aug 25, 2023 - 3:48 p.m. 

The following briefly describes the regular rulemaking process:

Step 1 — After an issue arises that needs coordinated action by ADEQ and stakeholders, ADEQ may convene Path Forward meetings to understand how best to solve the issue. A decision to undertake rulemaking may be made.

Step 2 — ADEQ conducts rulemaking activities only after approval by the Governor’s Office, in compliance with the Rulemaking Moratorium (A.R.S. § 41-1039(A)).

Step 3 —  If the Governor’s approval is received, a Notice of Docket Opening (NDO) is published by the Secretary of State (SOS) in the Arizona Administrative Register (AAR). This is the first step in the rulemaking process | Visit AAR Page >

Step 4 — One or more stakeholder meetings with opportunities to comment on draft rule language may be held.

Step 5 — A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is next published in the AAR to open the formal public comment period and announce any related public hearing. The NPRM shows language to be deleted in overstrike and language to be added in underline.

Step 6 — After the comment period closes, ADEQ responds to comments and delivers a Notice of Final Rulemaking (NFRM) to the Governor’s Office for final approval (A.R.S. § 41-1039(B)) before submitting to the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) for consideration at its Study Session and Meeting.

Step 7 — If GRRC approves the NFRM, ADEQ delivers it to the SOS for publication in the AAR and lists it on ADEQ’s Completed Rulemakings page. The SOS periodically updates the Arizona Administrative Code (AAC), showing the final codified text of the rule.