The 2003 Grace Hopper Government Technology Leadership Awards Increasing Participation in Governance
Regulations.gov
Office of Management and Budget
pen, transparent government long has been an ideal of American democracy. But in today's world of complex bureaucracies, finding government information is a tall order for all but the savviest Washington insider.
Enter Regulations.gov. The site pools all proposed federal regulations that are open for public comment in a searchable database. Citizens can search for rules by keyword or by agency. Each rule comes with a form that allows users to submit comments to the sponsoring agency.
Built on a shoestring budget of $400,000, Regulations.gov is the work of five agencies and six contracting firms. The National Archives and Records Administration designed the site, while the Government Printing Office hosts it on its servers and the Environmental Protection Agency supports the comment form. The Office of Management and Budget coordinates the effort as part of its e-government initiative. "It's been a great partnership," says Sharon Whitt, a project manager with NARA.
The site has had 1.6 million visitors since January, despite not having an advertising budget.
- Jason Peckenpaugh
- WHY IT WON
- Made it easier for citizens to comment on pending federal rules.
- WHY IT'S INNOVATIVE
- Pooled regulations from dozens of agencies into a user-friendly Web site.
- WHAT DIFFERENCE IT HAS MADE
- Transformed the federal rule-making process from an insider's game, making it more accessible to the public.
Post a Comment
To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this Service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Government Executive does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.