Administrative Law

When a law is passed, the legislature authorizes an agency to implement programs created by the statute and to promulgate regulations that have the force and effect of law. 

Besides keyword searching in online databases, you can find regulations on a certain topic using the following sources:

Regulations are frequently amended, but each title of the CFR is updated only once a year.  It is therefore critical to either use a currently updated online version or to update your research using the List of Sections Affected (LSA).

The List of Sections Affected lists proposed, new, and amended federal regulations that have been published in the Federal Register since the most recent revision of the CFR.

The Federal Register is the official daily publication for proposed and final regulations, as well as other agency documents.  In addition to the text of the regulations, it provides summaries as well as documentary and explanatory information.

The Code of Federal Regulations is an annual codification of the rules and regulations published in the Federal Register.  The CFR is divided into a subject arrangement of 50 titles somewhat similar to those used in the U.S. Code.  Each title is revised once a year on a quarterly basis.