Agencies Adopt Rules to Implement Statutes
Administrative rules are adopted to implement statutes passed by the Iowa legislature and signed into law by the Governor. Statutes are published in the Iowa Code. Agencies adopt rules to implement new state legislation, amend or update existing rules, and to implement federal requirements. The philosophy and mechanics of the Iowa rulemaking process are found in Iowa Code Chapter 17A (Iowa Administrative Procedures Act), with additional provisions in Iowa Code Chapter 2B (Local Publications), and Iowa Code sections 3.6 (Acts- where deposited – nullification), 7.17(Office of the Administrative Coordinator), and 25B.6 (State rules).
Executive Order Number 10
On January 10, 2023, Governor Kim Reynolds signed Executive Order Number 10. The executive order applies to all agencies with rulemaking authority. Tentative EO10 Regulatory Review Schedule.
Process Overview
Rulemaking Proposed
Once proposed, new rules, or amendments to existing rules, are approved by the Board a Notice of Intended Action (NOIA) is filed with the Governor’s Administrative Rules Coordinator to initiate the rulemaking procedure.
Notices of Intended Action (NOIA): Iowa Administrative Bulletin (IAB)
All notices of rulemaking by agencies is published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin, a biweekly publication. The IAB is available at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/bulletinSupplementListings.
Public Comment Period
Before proposed rules are adopted there is a comment period during which time members of the public can express their opinions about the proposed rules. Agencies also schedule a public hearing to receive comments about pending rulemaking.
Administrative Rules Review Committee (ARRC)
The ARRC is a 10-member, bipartisan, legislative committee. The committee meets monthly to review the pending rulemaking published in the IAB. Meetings of the ARRC are open to the public.
Following the publication of a NOIA in the IAB, the ARRC reviews the notices at its monthly meeting. Representatives from the agency, which submitted the NOIA, attend and answer questions from the committee members.
Rules Eligible for Adoption
Following the comment period, the Board will review and consider all comments received. The Board may decide to adopt final rules that are the same as the proposed rules, make non-substantive changes to the proposed rules in response to comments, or terminate the rulemaking.
Adopted-Filed Rules: IAB
Adopted rules are published in the IAB. In the preamble of the filing, the Board will describe the comments received and identify any changes made to the proposed rules.
Final Review by ARRC
Following the publication of adopted rules in the IAB, ARRC reviews the rules at its monthly meeting. Representatives from the agency, which adopted the rulemaking, attend and answer questions from the committee members.
Adopted Rules Published in the Iowa Administrative Code (IAC)
At the conclusion of the rulemaking process, the Board’s rules are published in IAC 650. The IAC is available at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/agencies.
Additional Rulemaking Information
For additional information about Iowa’s rulemaking process, please visit https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules.
Rulemaking Timeline
The rulemaking process typically takes at least 108 days. Download a pdf of the rulemaking timeline.
The agency rules administrator is the official responsible for the administration of the agency rulemaking process. If you have any questions about current or pending agency rules for the Dental Board, contact the agency rules administrator:
Iowa Dental Board
Email: IDB@Iowa.gov
400 SW 8th Street, Suite D
Des Moines, IA 50309-4687
Phone: (515) 281-5157
Fax: (515) 281-7969