The Office of Administrative Law is responsible for reviewing administrative regulations proposed by over 200 state regulatory agencies for compliance with standards set forth in California's Administrative Procedure Act, for transmitting these regulations to the Secretary of State, and for publishing regulations in the California Code of Regulations. The Office assists state regulatory agencies through a formal training program, as well as through other less formal methods, to understand and comply with the Administrative Procedure Act. Through its Reference Attorney service, the Office provides direct legal advice to state agencies and members of the public regarding California rule making law.

In response to petitions by interested persons, the Office evaluates whether rules being used by state agencies constitute underground regulations which have not been properly adopted pursuant to the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act and issues formal determinations reflecting those evaluations.

The Office oversees the publication and distribution, in print and on the Internet, of the California Code of Regulations and the California Regulatory Notice Register.