How to Write a Public Comment That Counts | Rulemaking 101

🆕 Updated version of this episode: https://youtu.be/gUUsiW4OPFM 🌐 Federal rules open for comment, updated daily: https://fedregintel.com 🦋 Daily updates on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fedregintel.com 𝕏 Follow on X: https://x.com/FedRegIntel A practical, plain-English guide to writing a federal public comment that actually gets read and considered. We ground it in the law that gives you this right, show a real case where a commenter's technical point changed a VA disability rule, and highlight two rules open for comment right now with their deadlines. ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction 0:31 5 U.S.C. 553(c): Your Right To Comment 1:01 Agencies Must Consider Relevant Comments 1:48 One Comment, One Rule Change: VA Digestive Rule 2:51 Open Now: Online Passport Renewal Overseas 3:46 Open Now: HHS Agent and Broker Rule 4:54 Join the community & take part 🗳 HAVE YOUR SAY: these are open for public comment. Agencies must consider relevant public comments, so your input counts. • Passports: Expanding Online Passport Renewal Overseas (Proposed rule), comments due October 27, 2026 Comment: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/DOS-2026-0925-0001 • Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Temporary Moratoria on Certain Agent and Broker Registration To Participate in the Exchanges (Interim final rule with comment period), comments due November 21, 2026 Comment: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/CMS-2026-3202-0002 📘 THE BOOK: How to Comment on Federal Rules, by J.D. Scruggs A plain-English, step-by-step guide to finding rules open for comment and writing a comment agencies have to consider. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HP8V1ZFG 📄 PRIMARY SOURCES 1. 5 U.S. Code § 553 - Rule making (U.S. Code, 5 U.S.C. 553) https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/553 2. Schedule for Rating Disabilities: The Digestive System (Final rule, 89 FR 19735) https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/03/20/2024-05138/schedule-for-rating-disabilities-the-digestive-system 3. Passports: Expanding Online Passport Renewal Overseas (Proposed rule, 91 FR 55505) https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/28/2026-17655/passports-expanding-online-passport-renewal-overseas 4. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Temporary Moratoria on Certain Agent and Broker Registration To Participate in the Exchanges (Interim final rule with comment period, 91 FR 60317) https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/23/2026-19493/patient-protection-and-affordable-care-act-temporary-moratoria-on-certain-agent-and-broker 💬 JOIN THE COMMUNITY Have you ever submitted a public comment on a federal rule, or is there a proposal open right now you're thinking about commenting on? Tell us in the comments, and keep it respectful: people from every point of view are welcome here. 🔔 Subscribe for a Federal Register briefing every weekday plus Rulemaking 101 explainers, and share this with anyone it could help. This video uses an AI-generated presenter and synthetic narration. It is an informational summary, not legal advice. Always check the official document on federalregister.gov before relying on it.