Which of the following is a defining feature of negotiated rulemaking?

Negotiated rulemaking, often abbreviated as "reg-neg," is distinguished by its collaborative approach to developing regulations. The process is designed to involve all relevant stakeholders, including representatives from affected industries, advocacy groups, and government agencies, in discussions about the proposed rules. This inclusive dialogue allows for the consideration of various perspectives and interests before a regulation is finalized.

The intent of this approach is to create rules that have broader support, thereby increasing the likelihood of compliance and reducing the potential for disputes over the regulations once they are implemented. By engaging stakeholders directly in the rulemaking process, negotiators can often identify and address concerns that might not be evident in more traditional regulatory processes that do not emphasize collaboration.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of negotiated rulemaking. Rigorous enforcement of existing regulations does not pertain to how regulations are developed. The imposition of agency rules without negotiation contradicts the very nature of negotiated rulemaking, which is predicated on negotiation among stakeholders. Mandatory public hearing requirements might be part of some regulatory processes but are not a defining feature of the negotiated rulemaking framework itself. Thus, inclusion of all stakeholders in discussions is indeed the hallmark that defines this process.