Just shedding a bit of light on a point made above: Properly promulgated rules (or regulations, which are the same thing) have the "force of law." To be properly promulgated, they must be issued under procedures dictated by the Administrative Procedures Act. The Act requires certain minimum periods for public comment (except in cases of emergency) and response by the Federal agency issuing the regulations. In addition, the law must authorize the issuance of regulations, but most complicated laws do.

Bruce