In today's DC Register (Vol. 56 No. 2), the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Stephanie D. Scott, Ph.D., releases new regulations* for the Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (ODAI) that facilitate electronic publication of the DC Register.  "Moving to electronic publication of the DC Register helps us to run the Office of the Secretary more efficiently," Dr. Scott said.  "The changes will save money in printing costs and provide a simpler process for agencies publishing documents, without reducing public access to the information we publish.  This is another milestone in our drive to provide more information to our customers in a way that is faster and simpler for all," she added.   The changes took effect on January 1, 2009.
 
The major changes proposed include:

• Cessation of the traditional book-style printing of the weekly register.
• Switching from hard-copy to electronic submissions of documents, so agencies can e-mail documents for publication directly to ODAI.
• Reducing the time between submission and publication, thereby speeding the release of information, rulemakings, and administrative issuances.
• Updating the formatting requirements to reflect the flexibility electronic submissions afford.

Aspects of the DC Register publication that will not change:

• Free access to the DC Register will remain on the os.dc.gov website.
• Printed versions of each week's Register will continue to be provided to libraries and ANC offices, as required by law.
• Publication dates will continue to be weekly on Fridays.
• All Mayor's Orders and Mayor's Memoranda will be continue to be published in the Register and also on the os.dc.gov website.
• View the Final Rulemaking*

For information, or to leave comments on the proposed regulations (which are available by clicking here), please send an email to dcdocuments@dc.gov, or call the Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances at (202) 727-5090.