What is the purpose of the Federal Register?

The Federal Register serves a crucial role in the transparency and accountability of government actions, particularly in the regulatory process. It is primarily designed to inform the public about proposed rules and regulations that federal agencies are considering implementing. By publishing notices of intended regulatory actions, the Federal Register allows citizens, stakeholders, and interest groups to review these proposals, understand their implications, and provide feedback during the public comment period.

This process ensures that the government considers public input before finalizing regulations, fostering a democratic approach to rulemaking. Each issue of the Federal Register contains not only proposed regulations but also final rules, notices, and other legal documents, making it a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in the workings of federal agencies and their regulatory agendas.

The other options do not accurately capture the primary purpose of the Federal Register. It does not focus on summarizing the appointments of government officials, publishing annual spending data, or offering legal opinions on proposed laws, each of which falls outside the primary functions of the Federal Register.