The Future of E-rulemaking: Promoting Public Participation and Efficiency

Electronic rulemaking, or e-rulemaking, provides government agencies with the use of digital technologies to streamline cumbersome decision-making processes. But, as with all brave new world approaches to better governance, the new technology raises new questions.

On November 30, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings and the Administrative Conference of the United States hosted a public forum to explore how new technologies can promote more effective public participation and greater efficiency in the rulemaking process. Administrative Conference Chairman Paul Verkuil provided introductory remarks and Cass Sunstein, the senior White House official on regulatory review, explained the administration’s commitment to e-rulemaking. Darrell West, vice president and director of Governance Studies, moderated the discussion.

The first panel, consisting of senior state and federal officials, reviewed progress in meeting the challenges that have arisen in the implementation of electronic rulemaking. Sally Katzen, who chaired the Committee on the State and Future of Federal e-Rulemaking, outlined how technology can enhance agency expertise and consistency in making regulations. Leading academics during the second panel discussed the technology’s potential to improve public participation and fidelity to legislative mandates.

After each presentation, speakers and panelists took questions from the audience.