Legal Definitions - OFR

OFR stands for the Office of the Federal Register.

The Office of the Federal Register (OFR) is a specialized agency within the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Its primary responsibility is to manage and publish the official daily publication of the U.S. government, known as the Federal Register, and to codify permanent regulations into the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Essentially, the OFR ensures that the public and all branches of government have official, timely access to federal rules, proposed rules, public notices, and presidential documents.

• Example 1: Imagine the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) develops a new rule to limit emissions from power plants. Before this rule can become law, it must be published for public review and comment. The Office of the Federal Register is the entity responsible for officially publishing this proposed rule in the Federal Register, making it accessible to environmental groups, industry representatives, and the general public so they can submit their feedback.

  Explanation: This illustrates the OFR's role in the transparency of the regulatory process, ensuring that new federal rules are formally announced and made available for public participation before they are finalized.

• Example 2: When the President of the United States issues an Executive Order, perhaps to establish a new federal task force or modify an existing policy, that order needs to be officially recorded and disseminated. The Office of the Federal Register is tasked with publishing this Executive Order in the Federal Register, thereby giving it legal effect and making it publicly known to all government agencies and citizens.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates the OFR's function in formalizing and publicizing significant presidential directives, ensuring they are part of the official public record and legally binding.

• Example 3: A small business owner needs to understand the exact requirements for a federal grant program they are applying for. They know the program was established by a specific regulation passed a few years ago. To find the definitive, official text of that regulation, the business owner would consult the Code of Federal Regulations, which is compiled and maintained by the Office of the Federal Register.

  Explanation: This highlights the OFR's crucial role in organizing and maintaining the official body of federal regulations, providing a reliable source for individuals and organizations to understand their legal obligations and rights.