Writing Regulatory Alerts

Regulatory Alerts are documents published in the Federal Register on proposed rulemaking that may potentially affect small businesses. Writing and publishing regulatory alerts advises and encourages affected small businesses to provide the Federal agency issuing the notice with comments on the proposed action and the agency’s analysis of its potential impacts on small businesses.

Use this format to draft a regulatory alert.

1. Title your regulatory alert.
2. Provide an overview of the proposed rule and the Federal agency proposing it.
3. Site any significant data to support the purpose of informing the reader of the regulatory alert.
4. List the call(s)-to-action, and any other supporting details to encourage small business stakeholders to review the proposed rule and submit comments by the deadline.

Sample Regulatory Alert Submission

NPS Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule Concerning Powered Mobility Devices

What: On January 16, 2025, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) published a proposed rule that will establish a management framework for the use of powered micromobility devices within the National Park System. The proposed rule would define powered micromobility devices separately from motor vehicles, traditional bicycles, electric bicycles, and human-powered coasting devices, and create rules for where and how they may be used in units of the National Park System. The proposed rule would also ensure that powered micromobility devices capable of cross-country travel on or immediately over natural terrain may not be used in that manner without notice and comment rulemaking.

Examples of powered micromobility devices include electric scooters (e-scooters), hoverboards, and Segways.

Why: NPS states the proposed rule will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. NPS is requesting comments on the rule, and small businesses are encouraged to provide detailed information on direct cost implications and whether any regulatory alternatives would minimize the impact on small entities.

Action: Comments must be received by 11:59 PM ET on March 17, 2025.

Proposed rule: (insert hyperlink) -or- Federal Register notice: (insert hyperlink)

Submit comments on: (insert hyperlink)

Is your small business or entity being negatively impacted by a proposed rule? If yes, write a comment letter to the proposing agency.

View sample regulatory alert

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