05/31/2017

Rules vs. Statutes: What's the Difference?

Minnesota has both rules and statutesBoth are laws that govern Minnesota residents and employers.  I find that many people are only aware of statutes and are unaware that Minnesota has rules.

Rules are generally promulgated by state agencies.  Like statutes, they are industry or topic specific.  Also like statutes, they apply across the entire state of Minnesota.  Unlike statutes, rules do not pass through the entire legislative process.  Some rules chapters get filtered by a public hearing process, some are passed with just written commentary from the public (and no public hearing process).

For example, there are rules on occupational safety and hazards.  The rules are enforced by the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration.  These rules apply whether you are located in Lino Lakes, White Bear Lake, or Moorhead.

Knowledge of the existence and applicability of Minnesota's rules is just as important as knowledge of statutes.  Make sure you and your business know whether any rules apply to you, just as you would be aware of the statutes that govern you.  If you are unsure of how to find the rules or whether any rules govern you, call me for assistance.

The material contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice, nor is it a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney. Each situation is unique, and you should not act or rely on any information contained herein without seeking the advice of an experienced attorney. All information contained in links are the property of the linked site.

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