When Pinal County Air Quality Control District (PCAQCD) begins working on a rule, PCAQCD may meet informally with interested stakeholders to discuss the proposed rule. The goal of the informal meetings is to develop a good working relationship with the public and establish lines of communication. At the meeting, the proposed rule purpose is introduced and interested stakeholders are given the opportunity to ask various questions and offer comments.

Once the rule is developed, PCAQCD will file a notice of proposed rulemaking with the secretary of state for publication in the Arizona Administrative Register. PCAQCD will also publish notice of this rulemaking in the local newspaper.

Once a proposed rule is published in the Arizona Administrative Register, a public comment period begins, allowing the public to submit written comments to PCAQCD. The public comment period is 30 days from the date of publication.

During the comment period, PCAQCD will schedule stakeholder meetings to discuss the rule and accept formal comments.

Oral proceedings are held for the purpose of providing the public with an opportunity to make oral presentations concerning proposed new rules and/or amendments to rules or repeal of rules. The 30 day comment period ends at close of business of the oral proceeding day. All comments made, either verbally or in writing, during the oral proceeding or during the 30 day comment period is considered formal comments.

At the hearing, PCAQCD submits a rule package to the board for approval. The rulemaking package includes the proposed rule, public comments, PCAQCD’s response to comments, and reasons for any changes to the proposed rule. The BOS hearing is open to the public. During the hearing, PCAQCD presents the rule package and the board allows for public questions, oral presentations of arguments, data and views on the proposed rule. The rule will become effective on this date, unless the board specifies a later date.

After the BOS approves the rule, within 30 days PCAQCD will submit the final rule to the secretary of state to publish in the Arizona Administrative Register.

Stakeholder Definition: A person or group having an interest in the rulemaking process.

In order to exercise your right to comment, you must first know what rules are being developed, when the stakeholders are meeting, when the proposed rule comment period begins, and many other details of the rulemaking process.

To keep updated on this type of information, there are a couple of ways to learn what is going on with regulatory development within PCAQCD. You may check your local newspaper legal notices for announcements with regards to PCAQCD’s proposed rules and permits. These notices will indicate the comment period, location of any public meetings, and PCAQCD’s specific contact for additional information. You may also contact PCAQCD directly and ask to be included as a stakeholder for any and all rulemakings. Comments are excepted through U.S. mail, fax, or e-mail.