Basic Legal Research for University Law Related Classes - Regulations
| Federal Regulations | Ohio Regulations | All States |
Finding Regulations from U.S. Federal Administrative Agencies
Governmental agencies create rules and regulations that fill in the gaps left by their legislative bodies. The U.S. Congress may pass a new tax law but rarely will it contain all the details regarding who should pay the tax or how much or when it is due. Filling in the gaps is the job of the governmental agency, such as the Internal Revenue Service or IRS. Proposed regulations are published in the Federal Register, and there is a comment period. Final regulations are then published in the Federal Register. The regulations are then published by subject in a set called the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Conversely, if you have a CFR cite, and you want to check for changes, the Federal Register is a daily update of the CFR.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) -- If you have a cite to the CFR, you can find the current year in print on the First Level rotunda (Reference Area) of the Law Library KF 70 .A3. The previous two years in print are on the Second Level, and the complete backrun of the CFR is available on microfilm and microfiche on the Base Level. You can search recent years of the CFR by words, or browse by section, at the Federal Government's GPO Access web site. To locate a section to print from pdf format, use the browse function. Current and former editions of the CFR are also available via Heinonline. Heinonline is available both on and off campus.
Federal Register (FR or Fed. Reg.) -- The current and prior year of the Federal Register in print are shelved on the First Level rotunda (Reference Area) of the Law Library KF70 .A2 and the complete backrun is available on microfilm and microfiche on the Base Level. You can access issues of the Federal Register 1994 - current from the Federal Government GPO Access web site. HeinOnline provides electronic access for earlier years (Vol. 1 - , 1936 -- several months ago.) Heinonline is available both on and off campus.
You can search both titles online via LexisNexis Academic
For additional information about researching Administrative Law, see the Law Library's Administrative Law Resource Guide.
Finding Regulations from Ohio Administrative Agencies
The Ohio Administrative Code is the Ohio compilation of state government administrative agency regulations. Its monthly update is called the Ohio Monthly Record.
If you have a cite to the Ohio Administrative Code (Ohio Admin. Code or OAC) you will find it in the Law Library in print in Reference, Reserve Room, and Ohio Room KFO 34.5 .O35 . There is an index volume. You can also search or browse the Ohio Administrative Code electronically (LAWriter) via the Internet on the Ohio state government website. LexisNexis Academic>From the Sources Tab, specify geographic region -Ohio, click on the folder for Administrative Materials and Regulations.
Ohio Monthly Record - Ohio state government regulations as issued and arranged chronologically; published beginning 1977. Print format: available at Law Library Reference and Reserve (older volumes, Ohio Room) KFO 35 .A23 O35
Register of Ohio - "Providing Public Notice of State Agency Rule-Making"
If you are looking for agency regulations for a specific state government agency, definitely take a look at the agency's website. Regulations may be found under a category such as "Laws, regulations, etc."
For additional information see Ohio Legal Research Guide - Regulations.
All States
Try LexisNexis Academic >From the Sources Tab, specify geographic region, click on the folder for Administrative Materials and Regulations. You may also try the following Internet resources:
- Public Library of Law (links to Admin Code for some states)
- American Law Sources Online
- Washlaw.web
- USA.gov: State Agencies by Topic