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Welcome to the Office of Administrative Law

The Office of Administrative Law (OAL) ensures that agency regulations are clear, necessary, legally valid, and available to the public. OAL is responsible for reviewing administrative regulations proposed by over 200 state agencies for compliance with the standards set forth in California’s Administrative Procedure Act (APA), for transmitting these regulations to the Secretary of State and for publishing regulations in the California Code of Regulations.

Learn More About OAL

Frequently Asked Questions

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • NEW!  2025 California Code of Regulations and California Regulatory Notice Register Publication Contract — OAL is responsible for compiling and publishing the Official California Code of Regulations (CCR) and the California Regulatory Notice Register (Notice Register), both in hardcopy and online. OAL invites any interested person to provide information or suggestions that may assist OAL in contracting for the future publication of the CCR and Notice Register.

  • NEW!  OAL is providing a 15-Day Comment Period for modifications to the proposed regulations concerning Incorporation of Prior Files by Reference; Notice by Electronic Communication; Statement of Mailing Notice; Notice of Scheduled, Continued, or Postponed Hearings; and Method of Electronic Notice. The Notice of Modified Text and Modified Text are posted on this page. 

  • NEW OAL PROPOSED RULEMAKING!  On April 18, 2025, the Office of Administrative Law published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning e-submission of documents to OAL.   The Notice, Initial Statement of Reasons, and Proposed Regulation Text can be found on this page.

  • The 2025 California Rulemaking Law Under the Administrative Procedure Act booklets are available.   Please visit our APA booklet page for more information. 

  • The 2025 Rulemaking Calendar is now available.  The Rulemaking Calendar is a projection of rulemaking activity by state agencies for the upcoming year.   Our Rulemaking Calendar page describes the various ways the Rulemaking Calendar can be accessed.
     
  • To assist state agency staff and members of the public, the Office of Administrative Law has created short videos about the rulemaking process and how to participate:   How to Incorporate a Document by Reference in the California Code of Regulations, Tips for Searching the California Code of Regulations Online, and How to Comment on Emergency Rulemaking Actions.  Please visit our Rulemaking Training and Resources Page for more information. 

 

California Governor Seal

Gavin Newsom

Office of the GovernorVisit the Governor's website
Secretary of the Government Operations Agency, Nick Maduros

Nick Maduros

Secretary, Government Operations AgencyVisit Government Operations Agency's website

Contact OAL

Office of Administrative Law
300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1250
Sacramento, CA 95814-4339

Phone: (916) 323-6225
CALNET: (916) 473-6225
Fax: (916) 323-6826
Email: staff@oal.ca.gov

Reference Attorney
Voicemail Line: (916) 323-6815
Email: staff@oal.ca.gov

If you wish to receive notice of proposed rulemakings by OAL, send an email to oalproposedrulemakings@oal.ca.gov and request to be put on OAL's mailing list.