In this quick post, we will cover how you can set up email alerts for regulation sheets. An “alert” is simply a helpful daily email that offers an overview of what happened with the regulations you are tracking yesterday. You can always review your alerts for your regulation sheets on the Alerts section of the Navigation menu to the left.

How Are Regulations Different from Bills?

Once a bill becomes a law, regulations—or rules—are created by administrative agencies to describe and govern how the law will be implemented. Regulations have the same authority as a law and are reviewed by the governing agency to determine whether changes are needed (e.g. do codes need to be updated, are there more efficient ways of implementing a law?). The frequency with which regulations need to be reviewed varies by state and can occur anytime between the pre-determined cycles. Tracking regulations is ongoing because regulatory changes can be finalized only to have additional changes later. Tracking regulations is also slower than tracking bills. In some states, regulatory changes are published in weekly bulletins, and in other states, quarterly. For these reasons, setting alerts when tracking regulations can be extremely helpful. 

How Do You Set Up Alerts?

Importantly, you can only set up alerts for yourself. If you would like to set up alerts to send to someone else you will need to add that person to your account. (more info on adding users here) and then share this post with them so they can set up their own alerts.

Alerts are set up independently for each regulation sheet. Some regulations you might want to follow closely, some you might only want certain alerts, and some you might not want updates on at all. So to get started, click on the regulation sheet that you want to set up alerts for, then click on the “Alerts” tab:

Choose whether to get alerts when a new regulation is added to your sheet, a new document is added to a regulation, a new hearing is announced and so on.  

NOTE: unlike with bills, you do need to be logged in to see regulation documents.  So if you click a link in an alert email, if you're not logged in to BillTrack50 you will be prompted to do so. 

What are the Various Types of Regulatory Alerts and their Uses?

New Regulations

This alert will be emailed whenever a new regulation is created, or a regulatory change is proposed to a regulation you are currently tracking. This alert can be helpful to individuals who need to maintain compliance with regulations. It is best to know what new rules you need to comply with before the new regulation is final. You may also have an opportunity to effect change before the regulation is final. 

New Document

This alert notifies you when any new documents associated with regulations you are already tracking become available. Being aware of any new documents is important as regulations change. New documents can provide you with crucial information to stay current and compliant. The new documents help you identify whether changes are being proposed, if you have an opportunity to submit comments, or if there is a new hearing you need to attend related to the regulation you are tracking. 

New Hearing

Attending hearings on regulations is particularly helpful as part of your approach to advocacy. This alert will notify you when a new hearing has been scheduled on the regulation you are tracking, allowing you to take action (e.g., submitting comments).

New Status

The status of the regulation refers to where in the process the change is, such as Proposed, Planned, Approved, Final, Amendment, Temporary, Withdrawn, or Re-Adopted. This alert notifies you when the regulation has moved along through the process. Understanding status changes also helps groups stay compliant and advocate for changes. 

Check out this post for a deeper description of the various regulation statuses. 

New Type

There are several types of regulatory changes: Emergency/Temporary, Executive Document (i.e. from the president or governor), Guidance, Notice, Petition/Waiver, Regulation, and Rule Review. This alert notifies you of any changes to the regulation type. Rule review is an especially important time for regulatory changes and advocacy, as this is when regulatory changes are proposed and public comments about the proposed changes are solicited. 

Check out this post for a deeper description of types.

New Effective Date

As regulations are changed and finalized, knowing new effective dates is important to ensure compliance and strategic decision-making. With respect to advocacy, knowing new effective dates can be helpful for the groups for whom you are advocating. This alert helps people adjust their practices on time. 

Ultimately, you will have to determine which alerts are most effective for your work. 

See the BillTrack50 Regulations 2.0 Launch Webinar for more information.