The unit will return rule filings that do not comply with the following requirements to the agency for correction prior to publication. Rule text must be formatted as follows.

1. (1) Rule numbers must be in the XXX-XXX-XXXX format.
2. (2) Rule text must be clean and free from formatting, including indents, strikethroughs, underlines, and other indications of changes made.
3. (3) Outlining within the rule text must be in the format of (1), (a), (A), (i), (I). A rule may not have a section (1) unless there is a section (2), or a subsection (a) unless there is a subsection (b), or a paragraph (A) unless there is a paragraph (B), or a subparagraph (i) unless there is a subparagraph (ii), or a sub-subparagraph (I) unless there is a sub-subparagraph (II). If subsections or paragraphs utilize the entire alphabet, the outlining transitions to doubles (aa), (bb), etc. If double alphabet outlining is exhausted, the outlining transitions to triples (aaa), (bbb), and so on, except as described in (9)(d)-(e) of this rule.
4. (4) Numbers or letters used in outlining cannot be bold or italic.
5. (5) There must be one space between the outlining number or letter and the start of the first letter or number of the rule text.
6. (6) A rule may have one introductory paragraph that is not outlined. See the first paragraph of this rule as an example.
7. (7) A rule with only one paragraph must have no outlining.
8. (8) The first letter after each use of number or letter in the outline as described in section (3) of this rule must be capitalized unless there is a need for lowercase such as scientific notations.

9. (9) Agencies may only use the following special formatting in rule text:

   1. (a) Bold and italics;
   2. (b) Special characters that are available within OARD, such as degree symbols;
   3. (c) Capitalization; and

   4. (d) Quoted text, also known as “block quote”.

      1. (A) A block quote may not be used for operative rule language such as fee schedules, tables, forms, or other language that belongs in rule text or a PDF attachment.
      2. (B) A block quote may only be used when inserting examples into rule text that assist in explaining or clarifying requirements stated in the rule text elsewhere.

   5. (e) Editor’s notes:

      1. (A) An editor’s note may only be included in rule text if the editor’s note is enclosed in square brackets and is not outlined.
      2. (B) An editor’s note must appear at the end of the rule text and may not be interspersed within the outlined rule text.
      3. (C) An editor’s note must be clearly identified as such, including by use of the label Editor’s note, ED. NOTE, Publication, etc.

      4. (D) An editor’s note may only be used for the following purposes:

         1. (i) To provide historical information regarding things like renumbering; or
         2. (ii) To identify the location of documents referenced in the rule text when those documents cannot be attached to the rule pursuant to OAR 166-500-0060.

10. (10) Agencies may not use the following formatting within rule text:

    1. (a) Text without outlining except as provided in sections (6), (7), and (9)(d)-(e) of this rule;
    2. (b) Non-successive outlining or outlining that does not comply with section (3) of this rule;
    3. (c) Bullets;
    4. (d) Tabbed or indented text; or
    5. (e) Any use of extra spacing between paragraphs or more than one space between sentences.
11. (11) Tables, appendices and other text-based information must be referenced in rule text with proper outlining. For exceptions, see OAR 166-500-0060. Tables, appendices and other text-based information that is not included must be expressly referenced in rule text.

12. (12) Citations for each category, “Statutory/Other Authority” and “Statutes/Other Implemented,” must be entered on separate lines in OARD unless a range is provided.

    1. (a) There must be at least one citation in each category. A single citation can be marked for both categories on the same line.
    2. (b) If included, “Oregon Revised Statute” must be abbreviated as “ORS” but does not have to be listed in subsequent citations in the same category.
    3. (c) References to Oregon Laws should include chapter number, year, and if appropriate, any applicable sections and subsections.
    4. (d) Citations should be as complete as possible and indicate which law is being cited, such as OAR, Oregon Law, U.S.C., CFR, etc.
    5. (e) Citations must use a dash to indicate a range.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 183.355

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 183.360 & ORS 183.355

History

OSA 3-2026, amend filed 05/26/2026, effective 06/01/2026
OSA 3-2017, amend filed 12/18/2017, effective 12/18/2017
OSA 2-2012, f. & cert. ef. 9-12-12
OSA 5-2009, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-09
OSA 2-2007, f. & cert. ef. 7-31-07
OSA 3-2003, f. & cert. ef. 11-20-03
OSA 13-1997, f. & cert. ef. 11-3-97
OSA 9-1997(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 10-6-97