Rulemaking

PURPOSE: This rule provides a procedure for rulemaking, and petitioning for rulemaking, pursuant to Chapter 536, RSMo. (1) Promulgation, amendment, or rescission of rules may be initiated by the commission through an internally-generated rulemaking case, or pursuant to a rulemaking petition filed with the commission. (2) Petitions for promulgation, amendment, or rescission of rules shall be filed with the secretary of the commission in writing and shall include: (A) The name, street address, and mailing address of the petitioner; (B) One (1) of the following: 1. The full text of the rule sought to be promulgated; 2. The full text of any rule sought to be amended, including the suggested amendments clearly marked; or 3. The full number of any rule sought to be rescinded; (C) A statement of petitioner’s reasons in support of the promulgation, amendment, or rescission of the rule, including a statement of all facts pertinent to petitioner’s interest in the matter; (D) Citations of legal authority which authorize, support, or require the rulemaking action requested by the petition; (E) An estimation of the effect of the rulemaking on private persons or entities with respect to required expenditures of money or reductions in income, sufficient to form the basis of a fiscal note as required under Chapter 536, RSMo; and (F) A verification of the petition by the petitioner by oath. (3) The commission shall either deny the petition in writing, stating the reasons for its decision, or shall initiate rulemaking in accordance with Chapter 536, RSMo. (4) The commission shall comply with the notice provisions of section 536.041, RSMo, upon the disposal of any rulemaking petition. (5) When the commission decides to promulgate, amend, or rescind a rule, it shall comply with the requirements for rulemaking in Chapter 536, RSMo. AND INSURANCE (6) Persons filing written comments or testifying or commenting at the hearing need not be represented by counsel, but may be represented if they choose. (7) Hearings on rulemakings may be for commissioner questions or for the taking of initial or reply comments. (8) Hearings for the taking of initial or reply comments on rulemakings shall proceed as follows: (A) A commissioner or presiding officer shall conduct the hearing, which shall be transcribed by a reporter; (B) Neither written nor oral comments need to be sworn, but testimony shall be taken under oath or affirmation; (C) Persons testifying or commenting at a hearing may give a statement in support of or in opposition to a proposed rulemaking. The commissioners or the presiding officer may question those persons testifying or commenting; (D) Statements shall first be taken from those supporting a proposed rule, followed by statements from those opposing the rule, unless otherwise directed by the presiding officer; (E) Persons testifying or commenting may offer exhibits in support of their positions; and (F) The commission may, at the hearing, hold the hearing open for a specified period if it determines extension is reasonably necessary to elicit material information. (9) In compliance with the requirements of Chapter 536, RSMo, the commission shall either— (A) Adopt the proposed rule or proposed amendment as set forth in the notice of proposed rulemaking without further change; (B) Adopt the proposed rule or proposed amendment with further changes; (C) Adopt the proposed rescission of the existing rule; or (D) Withdraw the proposed rule. AUTHORITY: sections 386.040, 386.250, 386.310, 386.410, 392.210, 392.240, 392.280, 392.290, 392.330, 393.140(3), (4), (6), (9), (11), and (12), 393.160, 393.220, 393.240, 393.290, and 394.160, RSMo 2000 and sections 392.200, 392.220, and 393.110, RSMo Supp. 2010.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 240-2.180. Original rule filed April 26, 1976, effective Sept. 11, 1976. Amended: Filed Nov. 7, 1984, effective June 15, 1985. Rescinded and readopted: Filed March 10, 1995, effective Nov. 30, 1995. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Aug. 24, 1999, effective April 30, 2000. Amended: Filed March 2, 2011, effective Oct. 30, 2011. Moved to 20 CSR 4240-2.180, effective Aug. 28, 2019. *Original authority: 386.040, RSMo 1939; 386.250, RSMo 1939, amended 1963, 1967, 1977, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996; 386.310, RSMo 1939, amended 1979, 1989, 1996; 386.410, RSMo 1939, amended 1947, 1977, 1996; 392.200, RSMo 1939, amended 1987, 1988, 1996; 392.210, RSMo 1939, amended 1984, 1987, 2008; 392.220, RSMo 1939, amended 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2008; 392.240, RSMo 1939, amended 1987; 392.280, RSMo 1939, amended 1987, 1993; 392.290, RSMo 1939, amended 1986, 1987; 392.330, RSMo 1939, amended 1980, 1987, 1995; 393.110, RSMo 1939, amended 1967, 2003; 393.140, RSMo 1939, amended 1949, 1967; 393.160, RSMo 1939, amended 1949, 1984; 393.220, RSMo 1939, amended 1967, 1980; 393.240, RSMo 1939, amended 1967; 393.290, RSMo 1939, amended 1967; 394.160, RSMo 1939, amended 1979. State ex rel. Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. v. PSC, 592 SW2d 184 (Mo. App. 1979). A declaratory judgment action under section 536.050, RSMo is not available to challenge the validity of a rule of the Public Service Commission, since a specific, exclusive statutory scheme for review of commission actions is contained in section 386.510, RSMo. Jefferson Lines, Inc. v. Missouri Public Service Commission, 581 SW2d 124 (Mo. App. 1979). In 4 CSR 240-2.180 the commission provided by rule a method for attack on any of its own rules. A record could be made and if the commission ruled adversely to the petition, an appeal would lie under section 386.510, RSMo. Also, under section 536.031.5, RSMo this court takes judicial notice of the rules printed in the Code of State Regulations.