ABSTRACT

Rules profoundly influence the conduct and success of public administration in the United States. Rules give specific form and meaning to statutory provisions that are often broad, imprecise, and incomplete. In performing this function, rules establish both the benefits one can expect from government and the obligations one bears. The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) established a robust role for rules in the larger political system. Each of these functions is important in its own right, but, taken together, they establish for rules the fullest scope of influence over law and policy. With the phrase "future effect" Congress reinforces the legislative origins, nature, and purposes of rules. Many of the rules could be classified as the "procedural" rules referred to in the APA. Others that specify eligibility criteria for benefits or licenses are more likely to be "interpretive" or "legislative" rules.