Researching
Researching Utah’s Administrative Rules
Administrative rules are effective for specific periods of time. To determine a past obligation, or requirement, you may need to research historical administrative rules. The information on this page introduces you to the resources available.
Research with OAR
The Office does not have the resources to conduct research for you but will help, by appointment, do your own research as the Office’s publication deadlines and available resources allow. The Utah State Bulletin is available from January 1, 1998 to the present. Electronic finding aids are available at the Office for rules filed after July 1, 1987. For rules before July 1, 1987, paper finding aids are available at the Office, although these may take more time. The Office of Administrative Rules no longer sponsors paper editions of administrative rules publications. To review other documents older than 2006, please make an appointment with the Utah State Archives Reference Room by emailing them at [email protected] or calling at (801) 531-3847. The Utah State Archives Reference Room does not take walk-ins.
Recommended Information
To research an administrative rule, you will need to know as much information as possible. Any of the following information will be helpful:
- the name of the regulating agency
- the date the rule was filed
- the Filing ID (a five-digit number assigned by the Office of Administrative Rules)
- the date the rule was published in the Utah State Bulletin;
- the date the rule was made effective
- the code reference (begins with an "R")
Other Research Aids
The Utah State Law Library staff has prepared an administrative rules research guide available in the March/April 2009 issue of the Utah Bar Journal (Vol. 22, No. 2).
The Office of Administrative Rules is available to answer administrative rules research questions. The staff, however, does not perform research. Before visiting to research rules, please contact the Office to schedule an appointment.
Researching Other Law
Utah's administrative rules reference other laws, like the Utah Code, the United States Code, or the Code of Federal Regulations. The office has prepared a list of many of those references.