Researching Utah's Administrative Rules

Generally

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.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind:

• the office does not have the resources to conduct research for you, but will help you by appointment do your own research as resources and publication deadlines allow;
• while some documents are available online going as far back as 1995, the Utah State Bulletin is available (PDF) from 01/01/1998, to the present;
• electronic finding aids are available at the office for rules filed after July 1, 1987;
• researching rules prior to July 1, 1987, will require you to visit the office and use paper finding aids (this will take time);
• reviewing documents older than 2006, will require you to make an appointment with the Utah State Archives Reference Room which can be contacted at archivesreference@utah.gov or 801-531-3847. They do not take walk-ins.

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").