CHAPTER 05 – RULES REVIEW COMMISSION

SECTION .0100 - GENERAL

26 NCAC 05 .0101             DEFINITIONS

As used in this Chapter the following terms have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

(1)           "Agency" means as defined in G.S. 150B-2(1b).

(2)           "Commission" or "RRC" means the Rules Review Commission as established in G.S. 143B-30.1.

(3)           "Objection letter" means any letter or other written correspondence from the public pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3(b2) objecting to a rule and requesting review of the rule by the General Assembly filed with the Rules Review Commission while the rule is under review by the Rules Review Commission.

(4)           "Review" means the statutory "Part 3. Review by Commission" at G.S. 150B-21.8 and following including the RRC action as set out in G.S. 150B-21.10.

(5)           "Rewritten rules" mean rules that have been revised in an attempt to satisfy an objection by the Commission.

(6)           "Technical Changes" mean the changes made by an agency to reply to a request from the Commission or its staff as set out in G.S. 150B-21.10. Technical changes shall not result in a substantive change in the meaning, interpretation, or application of a rule and include the following categories of changes:

(a)           Correcting errors of a general nature including:

(i)            obvious typographical errors, misspellings, punctuation, and grammatical errors;

(ii)           errors in complying with OAH or statutory requirements that are not substantive errors; and

(iii)          proof of compliance with the legally required process.

(b)           Correcting errors that would appear to be substantive changes except that they do not change the intended or accepted meaning, interpretation or application of the rule including:

(i)            changing "should" or "will" to "shall" or "must;"

(ii)           clarifying the use of "approved;"

(iii)          clarifying or correcting the use of "and," "or" or "and/or;"

(iv)          clarifying or deleting commonly used adjectives or adverbs such as "thoroughly," "clearly," "adequately," "appropriate," and "substantial;" and

(v)           inserting substantive contents of a rule's name into the rule itself.

(c)           Requesting agencies to rewrite a rule, paragraph, or portions of a rule to more clearly express the intent of the agency when the meaning and application of the rule is known and understood.

(d)           Acting on agencies' requests on behalf of citizens or agency staff to clarify the intent, requirements, or prohibition of a rule that would not result in a change in the rule's enforcement.

(e)           Deleting or rewriting portions of rules that are not necessary rather than raising objections.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143B-30.1;

Eff. August 1, 2008;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2023.