Federal Agencies in the United States

Federal Agencies are also called Federal Administrative Agencies. There are more information about the U.S. Agencies here (other than Federal Agencies).

AGENCY DECISIONS AND REPORTS

The publication pattern of agency decisions can be erratic. There is no mandated and organized
system for the publication of agency decisions; the decision to publish is up to the individual agency.
Some agencies publish all decisions, others are selective. Private publishers often publish sets of agency decisions, although they tend to be selective rather than comprehensive.

•  Bluebook. A list of published agency decisions appears on pp. 196-197 of The Bluebook (18th ed,, 2005).
• Looseleaf services (see introduction) in various legal specialties are also a good source for administrative agency decisions and informal opinions. Check Legal Looseleafs in Print New York: InfoSources Pub., 1981- , to see if one is published for any particular field.
• LexisNexis and Westlaw: Many agency decisions are available online; check the LexisNexis and Westlaw database catalogs under the relevant area of law.

Common Federal Agency Abbreviations

BLS Bureau of Labor Statistics

CIA Central Intelligence Agency

EEOC Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

FAA Federal Aviation Authority

FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation

FCC Federal Communications Commission

FDA Food and Drug Administration

FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FLRA Federal Labor Relations Authority

FRB Federal Reserve Board

FTC Federal Trade Commission

GPO Government Printing Office

HHS Health and Human Services (formerly HEW)

HEW Health Education and Welfare

ICC Interstate Commerce Commission

INS Immigration and Naturalization Service

IRS Internal Revenue Service

LC Library of Congress

MSPB Merit Systems Protection Board

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NIMH National Institute of Mental Health

NLM National Library of Medicine

NLRB National Labor Relations Board

NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission

NTIS National Technical Information Service

NTSB National Transportation Safety Board

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OMB Office of Management and Budget

VA Veterans Administration

Other Agencies

Introduction to Federal Agencies And Officers (State statute topic)

There are different Federal Agencies. As per State Agencies, see a list of U.S. state agencies.

Presidential Memorandum

Presidential memorandum regarding Regulation and Independent Regulatory Agencies (July 11, 2011):

“America’s free market is the greatest force for prosperity the world has ever known. It is the key to our global leadership and the success of our people. But throughout our history, one of the reasons it has worked is that we have sought a proper balance — a balance that promotes economic growth, innovation, competitiveness, and job creation, while protecting the health, safety, and security of the American people. Over the past two and a half years, the pursuit of that balance has guided my Administration’s approach to rules and regulations. And in January of this year, I signed an Executive Order requiring executive agencies to reduce regulations that place unnecessary burdens on American businesses and the American people while ensuring that regulations protect our safety, health, and environment.

I initiated a careful, Government-wide review of regulations already on the books in order to reduce outdated, unjustified regulations that stifle job creation and make our economy less competitive. We are taking immediate steps to eliminate millions of hours in annual paperwork burdens for large and small businesses and save more than $1 billion in annual regulatory costs. And hundreds of reform proposals from 30 agencies, now available for public scrutiny, promise to deliver billions of dollars in additional savings.

The Executive Order also requires executive agencies to consider costs and benefits and to reduce burdens on the American people; to expand opportunities for public participation; to simplify and harmonize rules; and to promote flexibility and freedom of choice.

With full respect for the independence of your agencies, I am asking you today to join in this review and produce your own plans to reassess and streamline regulations. For rules going forward, I am also asking you to follow the key cost-saving, burden-reducing principles outlined in the January Executive Order.

I hope you see this as an opportunity to do something big and lasting — to change the ways of Washington; to focus on what works; and to forge a 21st-century regulatory system that makes our economy stronger and more competitive, while we meet our fundamental responsibilities to one another.”

List of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies

There are hundreds of federal agencies and commissions charged with handling their responsibilities. Learn more about the federal agencies and commissions in the U.S. federal government in this U.S. Legal Encyclopedia.

Laws Related to General Federal Agency Operations

Administrative Dispute Resolution Act, 1990 and of 1996
Pub. L. 101-552, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2736 (H.R. 2497)
Pub. L. 104-320, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3870 (H.R. 4194)
(5 USC 571 et. seq.)

Administrative Procedure Act, 1946 (DOJ Leg. Hist.)
Pub. L. 79-324, June 11, 1946, 60 Stat. 237
(5 USC 551-559)

Annual Appropriations – See General & Government-Wide Provisions (not included in U.S.C.) in selected public laws for FY2016, FY2015, FY2014, FY2013, FY2012, FY2011, FY2010, FY2009, FY2008, FY2007, FY2006, FY2005, FY2004, FY2003

Anti-Deficiency Act (restrictions on appropriations – background via GAO)
Act of July 12, 1870, 41st Cong., ch. 252, § 7, 16 Stat. 251
See also R.S. § 3679 (1878) and 34 Stat. 49 (1906)
(31 USC 1341 et. seq., 31 USC 1511 et. seq.)

Buy American Act, 1933; Buy American Act of 1988
Pub. L. 72-428, Tit. III; March 3, 1933, 47 Stat. 1520
Pub. L. 100-418, Tit. VII, Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1107, 1545 (H.R. 4848)
See also: Buy American Act provisions in above annual approp. – reporting requirements
(41 USC 8301 et seq.) (48 CFR 25)

Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990
Pub. L. 101-576, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2838 (H.R. 5687)
(31 USC 901 et. seq.) (Nov. 17, 2005 hearing)

Chief Human Capital Officers Act of 2002
Pub. L. 107-296, Tit. XIII, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat 2135, 2287 (H.R. 5005)
(5 USC 1401 et. seq.) (OPM Resources) (CHCO Council)

Chief Information Officer provisions in E-Government Act of 2002
Pub. L. 107-347, Tit. I, Dec. 17, 2002, 116 Stat 2899 (H.R. 2458)
(44 USC 3601 et. seq.) (OMB Guidance) (CIO Council)

Chief Privacy Officer provision, 2004
Pub. L. 108-447; Div. H, Tit. V, § 522, Dec. 8, 2004 118 Stat. 3268 (H.R. 4818)
(see also HR 10, HR 4414, HR 5291, S 2806) (42 USC 2000ee-2)

Congressional review of agency rulemaking (H.R. 3136)
Pub. L. 104-121, Tit. II-E, March 29, 1996, 110 Stat. 847, 868
(5 USC 801-808) (no CFR cite)

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day – September 17 – agency employee education
Pub. L. 108-447, Div. J, Tit. I, § 111, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2809, 3344 (H.R. 5005)
(36 USC 106 note) (OPM Intiative, Resources)

E-Government Act of 2002
Pub. L. 107-347, Dec. 17, 2002, 116 Stat 2899 (H.R. 2458)
(44 USC 3601 et. seq., 44 USC 3501 note, 5 USC 3701 et. seq., 44 USC 3541 et. seq.)

Ethics in Government Act of 1978
Pub. L. 95-521, Oct. 26, 1978, 92 Stat. 1824 (S. 555)
Ethics in Government Reform Act of 1989
Pub. L. 101-194, Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1716 (H.R. 3660)
(5 USC App. 101 et. seq.) (5 CFR 2600-2699)

Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998
Pub. L. 105-270, Oct. 19, 1998, 112 Stat. 2382 (S. 314)
(31 USC 501 note) (OMB guidelines)

Federal Agency Data Mining Reporting Act of 2007
P.L. 110-53, Sec. 804, 121 Stat. 362 (H.R. 1 and S. 236)
(42 USC 2000ee-3)

Federal employee annual satisfaction surveys
Pub. L. 108-136, Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1641 (H.R. 1588 & H.R. 1836)
(5 USC 7101 note) (70 FR 54658)

Federal Employees Clean Air Incentives Act (encourages commuting together)
Pub. L. 103-172, Dec. 2, 1993, 107 Stat. 1995 (H.R. 3318) (H.R. 3318)
5 USC 7905

Federal Employees Health Benefits Act of 1959
PL 86-382, Sep. 28, 1959, 73 Stat. 708
(5 USC 8901 et. seq.) (5 CFR 890)

Federal Employees Pay Act of 1945
Pub. L. 79-105, Jun. 6, 1945, 59 Stat. 295
(5 USC 5101 et. seq.)

Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (1st FISMA – H.R. 5005)
Pub. L. 107-296, Tit. X, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2135, 2259
(44 USC 3531 et. seq.) (Pres. disregard statement)

Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (2nd FISMA – H.R. 2458))
Pub. L. 107-347, Tit. III, Dec. 17, 2002, 116 Stat 2899, 2946; 116 Stat. 2946
(44 USC 3541 et. seq.) (5 CFR 930-C)

Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014
Pub. L. 113-283, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3073 (S. 2521)
44 USC 3551 et seq.

Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949
Pub. L. 81-152, Jun. 6, 1949, 63 Stat. 377
(40 USC 101 et. seq.) (41 CFR 101)

Federal Register Act, 1935 (FRB Leg. Hist.)
Pub. L. 74-220, Jul. 26, 1935, 49 Stat. 500
(44 USC 1501-1511) (1 CFR 1-22) (Research Guide)

Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995
Pub. L. 104-66, Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 709 (S. 790)
(31 USC 1113 note)

Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 (H.R. 4328) (S.2176)
Pub. L. 105-277, Div. C, Tit. I, § 151(b), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681-611
(5 USC 3345 et. seq.)

Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act of 2015
Pub. L. 114-65, Oct. 7, 2015, 129 Stat. 551 (S. 565)
(40 USC 17507 note)

Federal Workforce Flexibility Act of 2004
Pub. L. 108-411, Oct. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2305 (S. 129)
(5 USC 5753, 5754) (70 FR 25732)

Fly American Act, 1975 and 1980
Pub. L. 93-623, § 5, Jan. 3, 1975, 88 Stat. 2104 (S. 3481)
Pub. L. 96-192, Feb. 15, 1980, 94 Stat 44 ( S. 1300)
(49 USC 40118) (41 CFR 301-10.131-143)

Foreign Agents Registration Act, 1966 amendments
Pub. L. 89-486, Jul. 4, 1966, 80 Stat. 244
(22 USC 611)

Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act of 1966; largely repealed by 1967 amendments
Pub. L. 89-673, Oct. 19, 1966, 80 Stat. 952
Pub. L. 90-83, Sep. 11, 1967, 81 Stat. 208
(22 USC 2621-2622) (5 USC 7342) (12 CFR 264b)

Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, 1977 amdts (FRB Leg. Hist)
Pub. L. 95-105, § 515, Aug. 17, 1977, 91 Stat. 862 (H.R. 6689))
(5 USC 7342) (68 FR 68720)

Freedom of Information Act (see FOIA Resources)
Pub. L. 89-487, Jul. 4, 1966, 80 Stat. 250
Pub. L. 90-23, Jun. 5, 1967, 81 Stat. 54 (to codify 5 USC 552)
(5 USC 552) (12 CFR 261) (DoJ site)

Government in the Sunshine Act, 1976 (DoC Leg. Hist.)
PL 94-409, Sep. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 1241 (S. 5)
(5 USC 552b) (12 CFR 261b)

Government Losses in Shipment Act, 1937
Pub. L. 75-192, Jul. 8, 1937, 50 Stat. 479
(40 USC 17301 et. seq.) (31 CFR 361 & 362)

Government Paperwork Elimination Act, 1998
Pub. L. 105-277 Oct. 21, 1988, 112 Stat. 2681 (H.R. 4328; S. 2107)
(44 USC 3504 note)

Government Performance and Results Act of 1993
Pub. L. 103-62, Aug. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 285 (S. 20)
(31 USC 1115-1119)

Hatch Act, 1939 (political activity by federal employees)
Pub. L. 76-252, Aug. 2, 1939, 53 Stat. 1147
(5 USC 7321-7326) (5 CFR 733 & 734)

Improper Payments Information Act of 2002
Pub. L. 107-300, Nov. 26, 2002, 116 Stat. 2350 (H.R. 4868)
(31 USC 3321 note) (OMB guidance) (2005 hearing)

Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112-248, Jan. 10, 2013, 126 Stat. 2390 (H.R. 4053)
(31 U.S.C. 3321 note)

Information quality act (Data quality act), 2000 (H. Rept. pp. 54-55)
Pub. L. 106-554, App. C, § 515, Dec. 12, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763A-153 (H.R. 4871)
(not in USC)

Inspector General Act of 1978 & 1988 amdts
Pub. L. 95-452, Oct. 12, 1978, 92 Stat. 1101 (H.R. 8588)
Pub. L. 100-504, Oct. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 2515 (S. 908)
(5 USC Appendix) (Council of the Inspector General)

Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990
Pub. L. 101-648, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4969 (S. 303)
(5 USC 561-570a) (CRS Rept.)

Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimnation and Retaliation (No FEAR) Act
Pub. L. 107-174; 116 Stat. 566, May 5, 2002 (H.R. 169)
(5 USC 2301 note) (69 FR 3483)

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 and 1995
Pub. L. 96-511, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2812 (H.R. 6410)
Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995, 109 Stat. 163 (S. 244)
(44 USC 3501-3520) (5 CFR 1320)

Plain Writing Act of 2010
Pub. L. 111-274, Oct. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 2861 (H.R. 946)
(5 USC 301 note) (OMB Guidance Memo M-11-15)

Privacy Act of 1974 (Cmte Print Leg. Hist.)
Pub. L. 93-579, Dec. 31, 1974, 88 Stat. 1896 (S. 3418)
(5 USC 552a) (12 CFR 261a)

Prompt Payment Act, 1982
Pub. L. 97-177, May 21, 1982, 96 Stat. 85 (S. 1131)
(31 USC 3901-3907) (5 CFR 1315)

Sec. 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (elec. info accessibility) (H.R. 1385)
Pub. L. 105-220, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 903, 1203 (H.R. 1385)
(29 USC 794d), (36 CFR 1194)

Whistleblower Protection Act 1989 (S. 20)
Pub. L. 101-12, Apr. 4, 1989, 103 Stat. 16
(5 USC 1201 et. seq.) (5 CFR 1200 et. seq. & 1800 et. seq.)

Resources

Further Reading

• Information about Federal Agencies in the Gale Encyclopedia of American Law.