Negotiated Rule-making, Regulatory Negotiation or “Reg-Neg”: Used by governmental agencies as an alternative to the more traditional approach of issuing regulations after a lengthy notice and comment period. Instead, agency officials and affected private parties meet under the guidance of a neutral facilitator to engage in joint negotiation and drafting of the rule. The public is then asked to comment on the resulting, proposed rule. By encouraging participation by interested stakeholders, the process makes use of private parties’ perspectives and expertise, and can help avoid subsequent litigation over the resulting rule.