5 Tips for Submitting Rule Change Proposals
Rule change proposals from APHA members and advisory committees are accepted annually for consideration. Submissions undergo various rounds of review, including by staff, the Board of Directors and advisory committees. The related committees review rule change proposals at the Leadership Gathering to decide which rules will move on for voting consideration by the APHA state directors, who represent the membership at large.
To ensure your rule change proposal is clear and effective, please follow our tips below. This helps streamline the process and contributes to the continuous improvement of APHA rules and regulations.
Complete rule change proposals are due by October 1. Use the rule change proposal form here and email complete material to allysonp@apha.com. Remember, per GR-010, any rules changed in the last two years are not eligible for consideration this year. More details are available at apha.com/rule-book.
- Reference the Correct Rule Book. Make sure you’re using the most up-to-date rules in your proposal. Many people mistakenly reference the 2025 printed rule book and fail to include language that took effect after the rule book was printed. Make sure your proposal considers any changes already approved for implementation on January 1, 2026; those passed rule changes are published here.
- Use Proper Formatting. When submitting a rule change proposal, avoid simply stating what you want. Instead, copy the relevant section from the current rule book (available online) and use the strikethrough function to indicate text you wish to delete. Use bold text for any additions.
- Include Justification/Impact. When proposing a rule change, it’s essential to carefully consider both the intended and unintended consequences. Equally important is asking: Is this change truly in the best interest of the association or breed as a whole?
- Review Related Rules. Identify all related rules to the proposed change—it is essential to help understand the possible impact of the rule and how it might affect other areas of the rulebook. Try searching the online rulebook for references to the parent rule you’re changing (for example: search “RG-070” when looking for related rules to an RG-070.E. proposal). You can also search for key words related to your rule change proposal to see if there are other contextual references you should include.
- Indicate if Early Implementation is Being Requested. Early implementation means the rule change, if passed by state directors, will go into effect before January 1 of the following year—that’s the standard implementation date for passed rule changes. Early implementation requests should be reserved for situations that require modification to the rule at the earliest available opportunity because it has a significant impact and immediate impact on APHA finances or business procedures.
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.