What is the primary role of the Federal Register?

The primary role of the Federal Register is to provide notices of proposed rules and regulations. This publication serves as a critical mechanism for transparency in government operations, as it allows the public and stakeholders to be informed about regulatory changes that may affect them. The Federal Register contains announcements of proposed regulations, rules that are open for public comment, and final rules that have been officially adopted after consideration of public feedback.

Publishing proposed rules not only ensures that the process is open and participatory but also serves to inform the public about how these regulations will impact various sectors. This process is key for encouraging public engagement and input in the rule-making process, which can lead to more effective and well-informed regulations.

While it's true that the Federal Register can also serve to document regulations for historical context and provide a record of agency activities, these functions are secondary to its primary purpose of facilitating the proposal and comment process on new rules. Enforcement of regulations is carried out by various agencies and is distinct from the role of the Federal Register, and judicial opinions are not published in this resource but rather through other courts' official publications.