[Stuart Basefsky is the author and originator of this guide] This is a simplified guide to understanding the differences between laws and regulations in the United States. It provides links to the resources described so that students, teachers, professors, practitioners and the general public can access these necessary documents for public policy purposes. It was originally formulated at Duke University by Stuart Basefsky and brought to Cornell University for the purposes of teaching and research.

1.  Congress passes a law. 2.  Each step of the way there are corresponding publications: BILLS HEARINGS PRINTS DOCUMENTS REPORTS. 3.  When a BILL finally passes, it becomes a PUBLIC LAW, which is eventually published in three forms in the following sequential order: SLIP LAW see (PUBLIC LAW) U. S. STATUTES AT LARGE U.S. CODE (U.S.C.) The law creates a mandate for agencies to promulgate REGULATIONS.	Agencies publish regulations to carry out their mandate. Regulations appear as agency documents which are published in the FEDERAL REGISTER [The Federal Register is our federal newspaper.  It puts all citizens on notice with regard to Rules and Regulations and other federal information.  In our system, ignorance of Rules and Regulations is no excuse.] Final regulations are codified annually in the CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (C.F.R.) If these regulations are updated or changed, notice is given in the Federal Register. To see if the C.F.R. has been updated, check the LIST OF SECTIONS AFFECTED in the most recent months of the Federal Register (back pages).
If the law is amended, it will be amended by the creation of another PUBLIC LAW. The easy way to check for amendments is to use the UNITED STATES CODE ANNOTATED (U.S.C.A.).  Available at ILR Ref K A35 ILR Subscription or the UNITED STATES CODE SERVICE (U.S.C.S) via LEXIS. Check the main volumes and the pocket parts.
Find print volumes of some materials by searching the Cornell Library Catalog.  Find additional annotated sources and legal analysis by searching electronic library subscription resources, such as Lexis, WestLaw, Proquest Congressional, CQ Electronic Library, etc.  Need more help?  Ask a Reference Librarian!

For additional information, see

HOW OUR LAWS ARE MADE

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CDOC-110hdoc49/pdf/CDOC-110hdoc49.pdf

and

HOW LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE MADE

https://www.ttb.gov/rrd/rulemaking-process

and

A Guide to the Rulemaking Process
Prepared by the Office of the Federal Register
https://www.federalregister.gov/uploads/2011/01/the_rulemaking_process.pdf