promulgate
Promulgate means to formally declare, announce, or proclaim a law, rule, or regulation so that it is publicly known. In the United States, the rulemaking process involves the legislative branch drafting and passing the law, the judicial branch evaluating and interpreting the law, and the executive branch carrying out the law. After a statute is enacted by Congress, administrative agencies then carry out the law through rulemaking. Agencies promulgate regulations that provide detailed requirements and procedures necessary to implement and enforce the statute. These regulations have the force of law once properly promulgated in accordance with the governing procedural requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.
[Last reviewed in January of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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