According to SAPA rule making, when does a rule become effective?

• A. After adoption by the agency and a governor's signature.
• B. After being filed with the secretary of state and published in the state register.
• C. Only after a statewide referendum.
• D. After the agency completes a 60-day public comment period without publication.

Answer: (B)

In SAPA rulemaking, a rule becomes effective when it is filed with the Secretary of State and published in the State Register. The filing with the Secretary of State plus publication in the State Register serves as official notice to the public and the legal trigger that the rule has force. The governor’s signature isn’t required to make the rule binding, and a statewide referendum isn’t part of the standard rulemaking process. The 60-day public comment period is a pre-adoption step to allow input, not the moment a rule becomes effective. Some rules can specify a different effective date in their text, but the default is the filing and publication action.