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Higher Education Coordination Commission

Rulemaking Processes and Hearings

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is the State of Oregon public commission and agency that works to advance equitable access to and success in higher education and workforce training for Oregonians. The HECC manages public processes and convenes hearings on proposed Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) changes. You can find details on the public rulemaking process and hearings here.

The authorities of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission are described in Oregon Statutes (ORS) and Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs). The Commission may adopt changes to administrative rules. When changes are proposed, we engage in a public rulemaking process.

Learn more about the rulemaking process in the questions and answers below.

Questions and Answers on Rulemaking

When legislators pass laws to create new programs or change how existing programs operate at the HECC, the law itself doesn’t always explain the details of how activities or programs should be implemented. Instead, the legislature allows HECC to develop Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) that help us carry out the purpose of the law. 

An OAR is an extension of a law and holds the power of law. State agencies adopt administrative rules to do one or more of the following:
  1. Clarify how certain aspects of the law work,
  2. Expand upon what is written in the law, and/or
  3. Explain how to implement a law.
Agencies can only adopt rules when law allows them to do so. 





Administrative rulemaking is a lesser known but important part of the public policymaking process that benefits greatly from the public’s input. Before HECC can adopt, amend, or repeal a rule, the agency is required to ensure members of the public can weigh in on the draft rule and provide feedback. This is an opportunity for you to contribute to shaping postsecondary education and training policy in Oregon, similar to contacting your state legislators about a bill that is important to you during the legislative session. HECC welcomes your input on draft rules related to postsecondary education and workforce training. ​

Unlike the legislative session, the rulemaking process occurs year-round. However, there is usually an upswing in rulemaking following a legislative session, when many new laws are passed that require rulemaking. 

The HECC is required to notify the public before we adopt, amend, or repeal any administrative rules and provide an opportunity for members of the public to share feedback on draft rules. Input can be shared verbally by joining a HECC Public Comment Hearing or by submitting written comment during the Public Comment Period. 

Please note that public comments (both written comments and those spoken during a Public Comment Hearing) are public record and may be posted to the HECC website. DO NOT share any personal information that you do not want made available to the public, such as your address, phone number, or health history. 

You can sign up to receive email notifications of all upcoming HECC rule actions and public comment hearings here​, by entering your email and selecting “Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) Public Meeting Notes and Rules Hearing Notices.”



Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) are written using three sets of numbers:
  • Chapter Number (unique to each agency, although some agencies maintain multiple chapters)
  • Division Number (general topic of included rules)
  • Rule Number (the specific number assigned to each rule)
An example rule that HECC manages is: OAR 715-013-0030​.
  • 715 is one of the HECC’s administrative rule chapters.
  • 013 is the division (topic) under HECC’s chapter, called “University Programs and Finance.”
  • 0030 is the specific rule number within Chapter 715, Division 013, titled “Tuition Increase Process and Criteria.”

HECC OARs can be found in the following chapters. Each chapter has multiple divisions related to programs and activities of the HECC. 
Currently effective rules are maintained by the Secretary of State’s Archives Division on their website: Oregon Secretary of State Administrative Rules.

To find a summary of recent actions HECC has taken on OARs, you can visit our Legislative and Policy Reports page here​, and search “rules.” As required by law, we post annual reports of all rule actions taken in the preceding year, and five-year reports reviewing the continued need for rules adopted five years previously. 


Permanent rulemaking is a formal process required for the permanent adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule, and is dictated by the Administrative Procedures Act (ORS Chapter 183). This process entails notice to legislators and the public and the opportunity for public comment before any rule action may be made effective. 

Temporary rulemaking is a less rigorous process required to temporarily adopt, amend, or repeal a rule in response to an urgent circumstance. Temporary rulemaking is also dictated by the Administrative Procedures Act (ORS Chapter 183) but does not require advance notice to legislators or the public, or an opportunity to comment. All temporary rule actions must include a justification of the circumstances requiring a temporary rule and automatically cease to be effective 180 days after adoption, unless the agency uses the permanent rulemaking process to extend them. 

Permanent rules can also expire, or be later amended or repealed, depending on need.

The approximate timeline for temporary rulemaking is as follows:
  1. A need for temporary rulemaking arises. Temporary rules may be needed when a permanent rule process would take too long to meet a critical agency need, such as when recently passed legislation must be implemented as quickly as possible, or a program must adjust its eligibility to disburse funds before authorization expires. 
  2. HECC Commissioners approve the draft temporary rule action at a public meeting of the Commission.
  3. The approved rule is filed as temporary, including a statement justifying the circumstances requiring a temporary filing.
  4. If no other action is taken, the temporary rule automatically expires and ceases to be effective no more than 180 days after filing. If the temporary rule is needed on an ongoing basis, the process restarts with a new permanent action for approval of the same rule.​​

The approximate timeline for permanent rulemaking is as follows:
  1. A need for rulemaking arises. This could be because a question comes up about a current rule that needs clarifying; a law was passed requiring new rulemaking; or rulemaking occurs on a regular annual cycle for certain offices within HECC. 
  2. HECC provides Public Notice on intended action:
    • HECC files a Public Hearing Notice with the Oregon Secretary of State, and the Public Hearing Notice gets published in the Secretary of State’s Oregon Bulletin. 
    • HECC sends an email notice to state legislators and members of the public subscribed to the HECC Rules Hearing Notices mailing list, to inform them of the Public Hearing Notice (at least 50 days before the rule is scheduled to be considered by the HECC Commission).
    • HECC schedules a Public Comment Hearing to take place between the 15th – 21st of the month before the rule is adopted.
  3. HECC solicits public comment on the proposed rule action. In addition to attending a Public Comment Hearing, which takes place virtually, members of the public are welcome to submit their feedback in writing to the HECC Administrative Rule Coordinator. Public comments can be accepted from the time the Public Hearing Notice is posted in the Oregon Bulletin (see above) until the close of the public comment period, at least seven days after the public hearing is held. Find more information about providing public comments here.
  4. The draft rule is presented to HECC Commissioners at a public meeting. If approved, HECC files the permanent rule with the Secretary of State, and the rule becomes effective once filed.
Note: HECC administrative rules must be adopted by the HECC Commission. The Commission meets at routine public meetings approximately every other month, and draft rules are discussed and finalized at these Commission meetings following the formal notice and public comment period. 


Rulemaking Calendar  

The annual tentative calendar for administrative rules topics to be addressed by the HECC is available below. 

Information on public hearings and the status of proposed changes to rules is below.  Anyone can attend rulemaking hearings, and public comment is welcomed at all public meetings and hearings of the HECC.   

 

Administrative Rulemaking Public Hearings and Status 





For past hearing materials from hearings prior to January 2024, please contact the rules administrator.

Public Comment and Accommodations Guidelines

  • Contact the rules administrator: Guthrie.Stafford@hecc.oregon.gov
  • Provide public comment: To sign up for public comment, submit written comment, or ask questions about the hearing, email the rules administrator.  All written comments received become part of the public record and will be shared publicly in meeting materials. You can also read an introduction to providing public comment here.
  • Request accommodations: The HECC is committed to accessible services for all. Please send requests for alternative formats or accommodations for individuals with disabilities to the meeting administrator at least 72 hours in advance if possible.

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