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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!  OAL Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Standards for File & Print and Print Only Actions. OAL is accepting comments on the proposed adoption of section 110 and amendment of sections 1, 6, and 14 of title 1 of the California Code of Regulations, beginning October 9, 2026, and ending on December 9, 2026. All comments must be directed to the email address listed in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Action. All rulemaking documents are posted on the OAL Rulemakings page and available upon request to the email address listed in the Notice.

  • NEW!  OAL Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Addendum to the Initial Statement of Reasons (ISOR). OAL is accepting comments on the proposed adoption of section 45 of title 1 of the California Code of Regulations, beginning October 9, 2026, and ending on December 9, 2026. All comments must be directed to the email address listed in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Action. All rulemaking documents are posted on the OAL Rulemakings page and available upon request to the email address listed in the Notice.

     

  • NEW! California Air Resources Board Rulemakings: Please note that OAL Matter Nos. 2026-0731-01S (Mandatory Reporting of GHG Emissions) and 2026-0820-02SR (California Cap on GHG Emissions) were approved by OAL and filed with the Secretary of State on August 31, 2026. Pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3), the effective date for both matters is September 1, 2026. For more information about these matters, please contact the California Air Resources Board at Rulemaking Activity | California Air Resources Board.

     

  • NEW!  The latest California Regulatory Notice Register Publication Schedule is now available!   The Schedule runs from January 2026 through July 2027.

     

  • NEW! Information Session for Members of the Public on the Rulemaking Process under the Administrative Procedure Act. On Tuesday, October 13th, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) will host a public information session on the rulemaking process under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). This special information session is specifically focused on assisting the public in understanding the APA. As such, only members of the public and not state agency personnel, will be admitted. Please visit our Rulemaking Training Classes for more information and scroll down the page to item "(3)."

     

  • The 2026 California Rulemaking Law under the Administrative Procedure Act booklets are now available!  Please visit our APA booklet page for more information.

     

  • NEW! OAL's eSubmissions Portal is live! Beginning April 1, 2026, all actions submitted electronically to our office must be submitted using OAL’s eSubmissions Portal. Submissions via email will not be accepted. To assist agency staff with use of the eSubmissions Portal, OAL has created a dedicated webpage that includes instructional videos, frequently asked questions, and a copy of the final regulation text from OAL’s rulemaking action concerning electronic submission of documents to OAL. Please visit our OAL eSubmissions Portal webpage for more information. If you have questions regarding use of the OAL eSubmissions Portal, please contact the Reference Attorney.

     

  • The 2026 RULEMAKING CALENDAR is now available.    The Rulemaking Calendar is a projection by state agencies of their proposed rulemakings for the upcoming year.   Please visit our Rulemaking Calendar page for more information.

     

  • 2026 Dates for OAL's Underground Regulations Training for State Agency Personnel are now available.  Now is a great time to sign up for OAL's Special 3-Hour Training for State Agency Personnel on Underground Regulations.  This class offers comprehensive training on underground regulations and is taught by highly experienced OAL attorneys. Space is limited. Register online today!

     

  • 2025 California Code of Regulations and California Regulatory Notice Register Publication Contract — RFP-CCR-2025: 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. On August 20, 2025, OAL issued a Request for Proposals for Publication of the Official California Code of Regulations and the California Regulatory Notice Register (RFP-CCR-2025). Information regarding RFP-CCR-2025 can be found on OAL’s website at 2025 California Code of Regulations and California Regulatory Notice Register Publication Contract | OAL.

     

  • 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.

     

  • Availability in OAL'S Training Classes!  Now is a great time to sign up for OAL's 3-Day Rulemaking Training Class and OAL's Special 3-Hour Training for State Agency Personnel on Underground Regulations.  Our popular classes offer comprehensive training on the Administrative Procedure Act process and on underground regulations and are taught by highly experienced OAL attorneys and legal staff.   Space is limited.  Register online today!

     

  • Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Electronic Submissions.   OAL has prepared a set of frequently asked questions that pertain to the Section 101 certification, digital signatures, and electronic submission requirements. 

 

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) 445-9515
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.