You can use your expertise can inform government policy in two broad ways: shaping legislation by engaging with lawmakers, or affecting policy implementation by commenting on agency “regulations” (also called “rules”). Here, we’ll focus on how to effectively provide input on agency regulations—the government actions that most directly affect our lives—through public comments.
What are “regulations” and where can you find them?
Regulations are created and enforced by government agencies to implement laws. These regulations affect important parts of our lives like health & safety, labor conditions, immigration, and environmental protection.
Every time an agency creates, changes, or repeals a regulation, it provides an opportunity for the public to submit comments on the proposal. This notice & comment process is how agencies are held accountable to the public.
Federal regulations open for public comment are posted on the FederalRegister.Gov and Regulations.Gov, and states and municipalities have analogous systems, like Connecticut’s CT eRegulations.
Professional organizations and advocacy groups that focus on the issues you’re interested in may find and share relevant opportunities with members. For example, the Ecological Society of America keeps a running list of ecology-relevant regulations that are currently open for comment.
What can public comments do?
If you have relevant expertise or lived experience, especially if the agency has not already considered this information, your comments can persuade the agency to change the regulation.
Even if the agency doesn’t change the regulation in response to public comments, the comments remain on the public record and the final regulation must include responses to substantive comments. This record can potentially be used in future rule-making, legislation, or litigation.
Oppositional public comments are most common, but if you think a regulation would be beneficial, supportive comments can help counterbalance others’ criticisms.
Anyone can submit a public comment on an agency’s proposed regulation … If you have something to say and think that your perspective could constructively add to the conversation, please comment.
White House Office of Management and Budget
How can you write an effective comment on a proposed regulation?
When regulatory agencies consider public comments, they prioritize evidence over opinion. This is different from communicating with your elected representatives, who care about your opinion simply because you are a constituent. An effective comment will focus on data and concrete examples about a proposed regulation’s real-world impacts. Include the following information:
Introduce yourself & show why your input is relevant
What relevant experience and perspective do you bring to the topic?
Clearly reference the part of the proposed regulation you are commenting on
Name and summarize the proposed regulation and identify the specific part you want to comment on.
State your position & provide supporting evidence
Explain relevant data, citing your sources, and potential impacts on you or others. Will this regulation make your life harder or easier, more or less expensive, more or less healthy? Highlight information you think the agency might not be aware of—this is where you can make the biggest difference.
A clear structure will help make your comment digestible and impactful.
Approaches that can enhance your comment’s impact
- Working as a collective by mobilizing others to write comments on the same regulation or writing a joint comment on behalf of a group.
- Tying your message to economic or health consequences.
- Being respectful of the target issue, even if you disagree with the regulation’s premise.
- Using plain language and avoiding jargon.
Approaches that can undermine your comment’s impact
- Submitting a form letter that is identical to others’ comments, which can signal that you haven’t considered the issue deeply on your own.
- Including irrelevant information, which can dilute the impact of relevant information.
Explore more of the GWL’s advice on writing public comments in our Guide to Writing Public Comments on Proposed Regulations. You can also find sample public comments and templates from the Public Comment Project.
Public comments can make a difference. In the best case scenario, your comment could present the agency with new information that sways their decision. But even if your comment doesn’t result in a change to the regulation, it can serve as an important record for future action.
Additional Resources
An Overview of Federal Regulations and the Rulemaking Process
Regulations.gov Frequently Asked Questions
How to Comment on Proposed Regulations in Connecticut
What Happens to a Public Comment After it is Submitted
Beyond Public Comments: Other Ways to Engage and Influence Federal Agencies
Explore GWL Programs
-
Writing Consultations
Get 1-on-1 feedback at any stage of the writing process—from brainstorming to final edits.
-
Workshops & Panels
Interactive opportunities to grow your academic writing knowledge or expand your toolkit of skills.
-
Peer-Review Groups
Groups of 4–7 students who meet weekly to share feedback, make progress, and support one another on a common project.
-
Writing Retreats & All Writes
Full-day and half-day events where graduate students set goals and write as a community in a quiet, supportive space.
-
Audience
-
Category