Federal Agencies

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 for the purpose of improving teaching about the United States Constitution in secondary schools. The Foundation is an independent agency of the Executive Branch of the federal government. Funding for the Foundation's programs comes from Congress and generous contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations. The Foundation has a Board of Trustees and its daily operations are directed by a president and a small staff. The Foundation's office is located in Washington, D.C. [http://www.jamesmadison.com/]

The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC) was established as an independent agency by the United States Congress (P.L. 94-118) in 1975 to strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship through educational, cultural, and intellectual exchange. JUSFC makes grants that support research, education, public affairs, and exchange with Japan, and generally does not operate its own programs. The agency receives no funds from general revenues from the United States budget. It operates entirely from the Japan-United States Friendship Trust Fund. The fund originated from payments by the Government of Japan for post-war assistance provided by the United States. A board of 18 Commissioners makes decisions on the expenditure of JUSFC’s earnings. The Commissioners are a group of nine private citizens and nine U.S. government officials who meet annually to consider all institutional grant proposals submitted to JUSFC. Among the government officials are four bi-partisan Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives who serve in a non-voting capacity.

The Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries was established by the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to section 3041 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1241). According to the text of 29 U.S.C. 1242: "The Joint Board shall, by regulations, establish reasonable standards and qualifications for persons performing actuarial services with respect to plans in which this chapter applies and, upon application by any individual, shall enroll such individual if the Joint Board finds that such individual satisfies such standards and qualifications."

The Conference of Senior Circuit Judges was created by Congress in 1922, to serve as the principal policy making body concerned with the administration of the U.S. Courts. In 1948, Congress enacted section 331 of title 28, United States Code, changing the name to the Judicial Conference of the United States. District judges were formally added to the Conference in 1957. As in 1922, the fundamental purpose of the Judicial Conference today is to make policy with regard to the administration of the U.S. courts. Section 331 of title 28 specifically provides that the Judicial Conference shall: (1) Make a comprehensive survey of the conditions of business in the courts of the United States; (2) Prepare plans for the assignment of judges to or from courts of appeals or district courts, where necessary; (3) Submit suggestions to the various courts in the interest of promoting uniformity of management procedures and the expeditious conduct of court business; (4) Exercise authority provided in chapter 16 of title 28 United States Codes for the review of circuit council conduct and disability orders filed under that chapter; and (5) Carry on a continuous study of the operation and effect of the general rules of practice and procedure in use within the federal courts, as prescribed by the Supreme Court pursuant to law. The Judicial Conference also supervises the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts in the performance of his duties as the administrative officer of the courts of the United States under 28 U.S.C.

The Judicial Review Commission on Foreign Asset Control was established 21 U.S.C. 1908. The Commission's duties were to conduct a review of the current judicial, regulatory, and administrative authorities relating to the blocking of assets of foreign persons by the United States Government; and to conduct a detailed examination and evaluation of the remedies available to United States persons affected by the blocking of assets of foreign persons by the United States Government.

The U.S. Department of Justice serves as counsel for its citizens. It represents them in enforcing the law in the public interest. Through its thousands of lawyers, investigators, and agents, the Department plays the key role in protection against criminals and subversion, ensuring healthy business competition, safeguarding the consumer, and enforcing drug, immigration, and naturalization laws. The Department of Justice was established by act of June 22, 1870 (28 U.S.C. 501, 503, 509 note), with the Attorney General as its head. The affairs and activities of the Department of Justice are generally directed by the Attorney General.

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America, and providing grants for the implementation of these crime fighting strategies. Because most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter into partnerships with these officers. Therefore, OJP does not directly carry out law enforcement and justice activities. Instead, OJP works in partnership with the justice community to identify the most pressing crime-related challenges confronting the justice system and to provide information, training, coordination, and innovative strategies and approaches for addressing these challenges.

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) was founded in 1974 as a result of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act of 1974 (Pub. L. No. 93-415, 42 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.) and is guided by subsequent amendments. OJJDP provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization. OJJDP supports states and communities in their efforts to develop and implement effective and coordinated prevention and intervention programs and to improve the juvenile justice system so that it protects public safety, holds offenders accountable, and provides treatment and rehabilitative services tailored to the needs of juveniles and their families.

The Department of Labor (DOL) was created by act of March 4, 1913 (29 U.S.C. 551). A Bureau of Labor was first created by Congress by act of June 24, 1884, in the Interior Department. The Bureau of Labor later became independent as a Department of Labor without executive rank by act of June 13, 1888. It again returned to bureau status in the Department of Commerce and Labor, which was created by act of February 14, 1903 (15 U.S.C. 1501; 29 U.S.C. 1 note). The Department of Labor fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States, by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, strengthening free collective bargaining, and tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements. In carrying out this mission, the Department administers a variety of Federal labor laws including those that guarantee workers' rights to safe and healthful working conditions; a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay; freedom from employment discrimination; unemployment insurance; and other income support.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was originally established under the Department of the Interior as the Bureau of Labor under the Bureau of Labor Act (23 Stat. 60) of June 27, 1884. After several reorganizations and transfers, the agency was renamed the Bureau of Labor Statistics and transferred to the Department of Labor in 1913. The BLS is an independent national statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical data to the American public, the U.S. Congress, other Federal agencies, State and local governments, business, and labor. The BLS also serves as a statistical resource to the Department of Labor. BLS data must satisfy a number of criteria, including relevance to current social and economic issues, timeliness in reflecting today’s rapidly changing economic conditions, accuracy and consistently high statistical quality, and impartiality in both subject matter and presentation.

The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) can trace its origin back to the passage of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as amended (LMRDA) on September 14, 1959. LMRDA was enacted by Congress to ensure certain basic standards of democracy and fiscal responsibility in labor organizations representing employees in private industry. The organization's original name was the Bureau of Labor-Management Reports (BLMR). It was re-named the Labor-Management Services Administration (LMSA) in 1963. At one time or another LMSA had responsibilities which included pension and welfare plans, Federal labor relations, veterans reemployment rights, and an anti-racketeering/organized crime strike force. Through reorganizations and the creation of new agencies through legislation, these functions were subsequently transferred to other Federal agencies. With the passage of the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) in 1978, the federal labor relations program was transferred to the newly created Federal Labor Relations Authority. However, the Standard of Conduct provisions of the CSRA which regulate internal affairs of federal-sector unions remained in LMSA. In 1980, the Foreign Service Act (FSA) was passed and unions representing employees of the Department of State and U.S. Information Agency (USIA) became subject to Standards of Conduct requirements. The agency became known as OLMS in 1984. In 1992, OLMS became part of the Employment Standards Administration (ESA). In 1993, OLMS was transferred to the newly created Office of the American Workplace (OAW). In 1996, OAW ceased to exist and OLMS was transferred back to ESA. In 2009, ESA was eliminated and OLMS became an independent agency reporting directly to the Secretary of Labor.

The Bureau of Land Management was established July 16, 1946, by the consolidation of the General Land Office (created in 1812) and the Grazing Service (formed in 1934). The Bureau manages more land--256 million surface acres--than any other Federal Government agency. Most of this public land is located in 12 western States, including Alaska. There are also small, scattered parcels in States east of the Mississippi River. The Bureau also administers more than 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate throughout the Nation. These public lands make up about 13 percent of the total land surface of the United States and more than 40 percent of all land managed by the Federal Government. The Bureau preserves open space in the fast-growing, fast-changing West by managing the public lands for multiple uses and by conserving resources so that current and future generations may use and enjoy them.

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is a private, nonprofit corporation established by the Legal Services Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2996), to seek to ensure equal access to justice under the law for all Americans. LSC is headed by an 11-member Board of Directors, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. By law, the Board is bipartisan; no more than six members may be of the same political party. LSC is funded through congressional appropriations and provides legal services through grants to independent local programs selected through a system of competition.

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States, offering diverse materials for research including the world's most extensive collections in many areas such as American history, music, and law. The Library of Congress was established by act of April 24, 1800 (2 Stat. 56), appropriating $5,000 ''for the purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress . . . .'' The Library's scope of responsibility has been widened by subsequent legislation (2 U.S.C. 131-168d). The Librarian, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, directs the Library.

The Local Television Loan Guarantee Board was established on December 21, 2000 under the Federal Funding Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (P.L. 106-553) Under the provisions of the act, the Board was authorized to guarantee loans to facilitate access, on a technologically neutral basis, to signals of local television stations for households located in non-served areas or underserved areas. The Board is authorized to approve Guarantees up to 80 percent of the principal amount of up to $1.25 billion in Loans. The Board's authority to guarantee Loans under the Program expires on the earlier of the date the Secretary of Agriculture determines that at least 75 percent of Designated Market Areas, other than the top 40 Designated Market Areas, have access to Local Television Broadcast Signals for virtually all households or December 31, 2006.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), formerly the Bureau of the Budget, was established in the Executive Office of the President pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1939 (5 U.S.C. app.). The Office of Management and Budget evaluates, formulates, and coordinates management procedures and program objectives within and among Federal departments and agencies. It also controls the administration of the Federal budget, while routinely providing the President with recommendations regarding budget proposals and relevant legislative enactments.

The Marine Mammal Commission (MMC) was established under Title II of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, to provide independent oversight of the marine mammal conservation policies and programs being carried out by Federal regulatory agencies. In carrying out its responsibilities, MMC is charged with seven primary duties: 1. undertake a review and study of the activities of the United States pursuant to existing laws and international conventions relating to marine mammals, including, but not limited to, the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, the Whaling Convention Act of 1949, the Interim Convention on the Conservation of North Pacific Fur Seals and the Fur Seal Act of 1966; 2. conduct a continuing review of the condition of the stocks of marine mammals, of methods for their protection and conservation, of humane means of taking marine mammals, of research programs conducted or proposed to be conducted under the authority of this Act, and of all applications for permits for scientific research, public display, or enhancing the survival or recovery of a species or stock; 3. undertake or cause to be undertaken such other studies as it deems necessary or desirable in connection with its assigned duties as to the protection and conservation of marine mammals; 4. recommend to the Secretary and to other federal officials such steps as it deems necessary or desirable for the protection and conservation of marine mammals; 5. recommend to the Secretary of State appropriate policies regarding existing international arrangements for the protection and conservation of marine mammals and suggest appropriate international arrangements for the protection and conservation of marine mammals; 6. recommend to the Secretary such revisions of the endangered species list and threatened species list published pursuant to section 4(c)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as may be appropriate with regard to marine mammals; and 7. recommend to the Secretary, other appropriate federal officials, and Congress such additional measures as it deems necessary or desirable to further the policies of this Act, including provisions for the protection of the Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts whose livelihood may be adversely affected by actions taken pursuant to this Act. The Marine Mammal Commission also carries out a small research program in support of projects aimed at meeting the conservation and protection goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

The Maritime Administration was established by Reorganization Plan No. 21 of 1950 (5 U.S.C. app.). The Maritime Act of 1981 (46 U.S.C. 1601) transferred the Maritime Administration to the Department of Transportation. Programs of the Maritime Administration promote the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced United States merchant marine, sufficient to carry the Nation's domestic waterborne commerce and a substantial portion of its waterborne foreign commerce, and capable of service as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency. The Maritime Administration also seeks to ensure that the United States maintains adequate shipbuilding and repair services, efficient ports, effective inter-modal water and land transportation systems, and reserve shipping capacity for use in time of national emergency.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) is an independent Congressional agency established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-33) to advise the U.S. Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program. The Commission's statutory mandate is quite broad: In addition to advising the Congress on payments to private health plans participating in Medicare and providers in Medicare's traditional fee-for-service program, MedPAC is also tasked with analyzing access to care, quality of care, and other issues affecting Medicare.

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is an independent, quasi-judicial agency in the Executive branch that serves as the guardian of Federal merit systems. The Board was established by Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1978, which was codified by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA), Public Law No. 95-454. The CSRA, which became effective January 11, 1979, replaced the Civil Service Commission with three new independent agencies: Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which manages the Federal work force; Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), which oversees Federal labor-management relations; and, the Board. The Board assumed the employee appeals function of the Civil Service Commission and was given new responsibilities to perform merit systems studies and to review the significant actions of OPM. The Board's mission is to protect Federal merit systems and the rights of individuals within those systems. MSPB carries out its statutory responsibilities and authorities primarily by adjudicating individual employee appeals and by conducting merit systems studies. In addition, MSPB reviews the significant actions of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to assess the degree to which those actions may affect merit.

The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission was established by the National Defense Authorization Act FY 2013 Pub. L. 112-239, 126 Stat. 1787 (2013) to conduct a review of military compensation and retirement systems and to make recommendations to modernize such systems in order to-- 1. Ensure the long-term viability of the All-Volunteer Force by sustaining the required human resources of that force during all levels of conflict and economic conditions; 2. Enable the quality of life for members of the Armed Forces and the other uniformed services and their families in a manner that fosters successful recruitment, retention, and careers for members of the Armed Forces and the other uniformed services; and 3. Modernize and achieve fiscal sustainability for the compensation and retirement systems for the Armed Forces and the other uniformed services for the 21st century. The Commission is tasked to submit a report, containing a comprehensive study and recommendations, by May 1, 2014 to the President of the United States and Congress. The report will contain detailed findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions it may consider appropriate in light of the results of the study.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation was created under the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-199, Div. D, Title IV). MCC is managed by a chief executive officer, who is part of the nine-member Board of Directors. The Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the USAID Administrator serve on the board along with four private sector representatives. MCC forms partnerships with poor countries committed to good governance, economic freedom and investments in their citizens and provides these well-performing countries with large-scale grants to fund country-led solutions for reducing poverty through sustainable economic growth. MCC grants complement other U.S. and international development programs. The aggressive implementation of compacts and threshold programs by the Millennium Challenge Corporation promotes growth opportunities, opens markets, raises the standard of living, and creates a more prosperous future for some of the world's poorest people.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is responsible for safety and health in the Nation's mines. MSHA develops and promulgates mandatory safety and health standards, ensures compliance with such standards, assesses civil penalties for violations, and investigates accidents. It cooperates with and provides assistance to the States in the development of effective State mine safety and health programs; improves and expands training programs in cooperation with the States and the mining industry; and contributes to the improvement and expansion of mine safety and health research and development. All of these activities are aimed at preventing and reducing mine accidents and occupational diseases in the mining industry.

The Minerals Management Service was established on January 19, 1982, by Secretarial order. The Service assesses the nature, extent, recoverability, and value of leasable minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf. It ensures the orderly and timely inventory and development and the efficient recovery of mineral resources; encourages utilization of the best available and safest technology; and safeguards against fraud, waste, and abuse. MMS was renamed Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) on June 21, 2010. On October 1, 2011, BOEMRE was reorganized into the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)

The United States Bureau of Mines (USBM) was established July 1, 1910, in the Department of the Interior by the organic Act of May 16, 1910, as amended (30 U.S.C. 1, 3, 5-7). The USBM was primarily a research and fact-finding agency. Its goal was to help ensure that the Nation had adequate supplies of nonfuel minerals for security and other needs. Research was conducted to provide the technology for the extraction, processing, use, and recycling of the Nation’s nonfuel mineral resources at a reasonable cost without harm to the environment or the workers involved. The Bureau also collected, compiled, analyzed, and published statistical and economic information on all phases of nonfuel mineral resource development, including exploration, production, shipments, demand, stocks, prices, imports and exports. The United States Bureau of Mines was terminated pursuant to act of Jan. 26, 1996 (110 Stat. 32). Certain functions were transferred to the Secretary of Energy by act of April 26, 1996 (110 Stat. 1321-167). __________ Source: U.S. Government Manual (1992/1993 Edition), p. 359 U.S. Government Manual (2009/2010 Edition), p. 616.

The Minority Business Development Agency was established by Executive order in 1969. The Agency develops and coordinates a national program for minority business enterprise. The Agency was created to assist minority businesses in achieving effective and equitable participation in the American free enterprise system and in overcoming social and economic disadvantages that have limited their participation in the past. The Agency provides national policies and leadership in forming and strengthening a partnership of business, industry, and government with the Nation's minority businesses. Business development services are provided to the minority business community through three vehicles: the minority business opportunity committees which disseminate information on business opportunities; the minority business development centers that provide management and technical assistance and other business development services; and electronic commerce which includes a Web page on the Internet that will show how to start a business and use the service to electronically match business with contract opportunities. The Agency promotes and coordinates the efforts of other Federal agencies in assisting or providing market opportunities for minority business. It coordinates opportunities for minority firms in the private sector. Through such public and private cooperative activities, the Agency promotes the participation of Federal, State, and local governments, and business and industry in directing resources for the development of strong minority businesses.

The Office of Minority Economic Impact (OMEI) was established under the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (Public Law 95-619) on November 9, 1978. OMEI is one of three subagencies that make up the Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED). As such, the primary mission of OMEI is to build effective partnerships between the Department and minority institutions, increase the capabilities of such institutions to compete effectively for grants and contracts, and to increase their participation in Department programs. __________ Source: http://diversity.doe.gov/minority/about.htm http://management.energy.gov/documents/Part_3_Minority_Economic_Impact.pdf

The Mississippi River Commission (MRC) was established by an Act of Congress on June 28, 1879. The Commission consists of three U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officers, one member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (formerly the Coast and Geodetic Survey), and three civilians, two of whom must be civil engineers. Each member of the MRC is nominated by the United States President and confirmed by the Senate. The general duties of the MRC include the recommendation of policy and work on flood control, navigation, and environmental projects affecting the Mississippi River; the study of and reporting on the necessity for modifications to river operations, and conducting semiannual inspection trips and public hearings at various locations along the river. The intent behind the mission of the MRC today is to lead sustainable management and development of water related resources for the nation’s benefit and the people’s well-being. __________ Source: http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/mrc/about/index.php

Established by the U.S. Congress in 1992, the Udall Foundation honors Congressman Morris King Udall's thirty-year legacy of public service. As set forth in the founding legislation, the purposes of the Foundation are to: --increase the awareness of the importance of, and promote the benefit and enjoyment of, the nation's natural resources; --foster a greater recognition and understanding of the role of the environment, public lands and resources in the development of the United States; --identify critical environmental issues; --develop resources to train professionals properly in environmental and related fields; --provide educational outreach regarding environmental policy; --develop resources to train Native American and Alaska Native professionals in health care and public policy; --provide assessment, mediation, and other related services to resolve environmental disputes involving federal agencies In 2009, Congress enacted legislation to add Stewart Udall into the foundation, renaming it the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was established by the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.). The mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.

The National Agricultural Library (NAL), part of the Agricultural Research Service, is the primary resource in the United States for information about food, agriculture, and natural resources, and serves as an electronic gateway to a widening array of scientific literature, printed text, and agricultural images. NAL serves USDA and a broad customer base including policymakers, agricultural specialists, research scientists, and the general public. NAL works with other agricultural libraries and institutions to advance open and democratic access to information about agriculture and the Nation's agricultural knowledge.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) prepares estimates and reports on production, supply, price, chemical use, and other items necessary for the orderly operation of the U.S. agricultural economy. The reports include statistics on field crops, fruits and vegetables, dairy, cattle, hogs, sheep, poultry, aquaculture, and related commodities or processed products. Other estimates concern farm numbers, farm production expenditures, agricultural chemical use, prices received by farmers for products sold, prices paid for commodities and services, indexes of prices received and paid, parity prices, farm employment, and farm wage rates. The Service prepares these estimates through a complex system of sample surveys of producers, processors, buyers, and others associated with agriculture. Information is gathered by mail, telephone, personal interviews, and field visits. NASS is responsible for conducting the Census of Agriculture. The Census of Agriculture is taken every 5 years and provides comprehensive data on the agricultural economy down to the county level. Periodic reports are also issued on aquacultures, irrigation, and horticultural specialties. The Service performs reimbursable survey work and statistical consulting services for other Federal and State agencies and provides technical assistance for developing agricultural data systems in other countries.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the successor agency to the National Archives Establishment, which was created in 1934 and subsequently incorporated into the General Services Administration as the National Archives and Records Service in 1949. NARA was established as an independent agency in the executive branch of the Government by act of October 19, 1984 (44 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.), effective April 1, 1985. NARA safeguards and preserves the records of our Government, ensuring that the people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage; establishes policies and procedures for managing U.S. Government records; manages the Presidential Libraries system; and publishes the laws, regulations, and Presidential and other public documents.

The National Assessment Governing Board was created by Congress in 1988 as an independent, nonpartisan board to set policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as The Nation’s Report Card. In overseeing The Nation’s Report Card, the Governing Board identifies subjects to be tested, determines the content and achievement levels for each assessment, approves all test questions, and takes steps to improve the reporting of results. The Governing Board is responsible for communicating NAEP results to a wide range of audiences.

The National Bankruptcy Review Commission NBRC was established as an independent commission on October 6, 1995 under the authority of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1994, (Pub. L. No. 103-394). The Commission was created to investigate and study issues relating to the Bankruptcy Code; to solicit divergent views of parties concerned with the operation of the bankruptcy system; to evaluate the advisability of proposals with respect to such issues; and to prepare a report to be submitted to the President, Congress and the Chief Justice. Pursuant to the Act, the Commission was terminated on November 20 1997 following the submission of its final report.

The National Biological Service (NBS) was established on November 11, 1993, through the transfer of certain functions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Minerals Management Service, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, U.S. Geological Survey, and Bureau of Reclamation. The mission of NBS is to work with others to provide the scientific understanding and technologies needed to support the sound management and conservation of our Nation's biological resources. To accomplish this mission, NBS undertakes research, inventory, monitoring information sharing, and technology transfer activities to foster an understanding of biological systems and their benefits to society. Through these activities, NBS provides essential scientific support, technical assistance, and information required for sound management and policy decisions regarding the Nation's biological resources. NBS establishes partnerships with other Federal, State, and local agencies; with museums and universities; and with private organizations in order to bring coherence to largely uncoordinated efforts and to further fulfill its mission.

The National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare was established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 Conference Report. The purpose of the Commission is to study the future of Medicare including Medicare and the baby boomers, the health needs of an aging population, mutigenerational perspectives, and America in the next century.

The National Capital Planning Commission was established as a park planning agency by act of June 6, 1924, as amended (40 U.S.C. 71 et seq.). Two years later its role was expanded to include comprehensive planning. In 1952, under the National Capital Planning Act, the Commission was designated the central planning agency for the Federal and District of Columbia governments. The National Capital Planning Commission is the central agency for conducting planning and development activities for Federal lands and facilities in the National Capital Region. The region includes the District of Columbia and all land areas within the boundaries of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland and Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Arlington Counties and the city of Alexandria in Virginia.

The National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is an AmeriCorps program that was established under the National and Community Service Act of 1990. The AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women age 18–24. The mission of AmeriCorps NCCC is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service. In partnership with non-profits—secular and faith based, local municipalities, state governments, federal government, national or state parks, Indian Tribes and schools members complete service projects throughout the region they are assigned. Drawn from the successful models of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s and the U.S. military, AmeriCorps NCCC is built on the belief that civic responsibility is an inherent duty of all citizens and that national service programs work effectively with local communities to address pressing needs. Source: http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/nccc.asp.

The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform was create by Executive Order on February 18, 2010. The purpose of the Commission is to address the nation's fiscal challenges by identifying policies to improve the fiscal situation in the medium term and to achieve fiscal sustainability over the long run. Specifically, the Commission is ordered to meet as a whole on a monthly basis while Congress is in session. The members shall propose recommendations designed to balance the budget, excluding interest payments on the debt, by 2015. The Commission will also propose recommendations that meaningfully improve the long-run fiscal outlook, including changes to address the growth of entitlement spending and the gap between the projected revenues and expenditures of the Federal Government. No later than December 1, 2010, the Commission will vote on a final report containing a set of recommendations to achieve its mission. The final report will require the approval of at least 14 of the Commission's 18 members.

THe National Commission on Intermodal Transportation was created by Sec. 5005 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. The Commission was established and charged by Congress to make a complete investigation and study of intermodal transportation (specifically, passenger and freight traffic, public and private sectors, and all modes of transportation.) in the United States and internationally. The investigation was to focus on three fundamental tasks: (1) to determine the status of, and problems related to, intermodal transportation today; (2) identify the resources needed to enhance intermodal transportation; and (3) make recommendations on how to achieve an efficient intermodal transportation system. The Commission was terminated after submitting its final report in 1994. Source: Federal Register Volume 59, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 1994), FR Doc. 94-7104

The National Commission on Libraries and Information Science was established as an independent commission within the Executive branch by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act (Pub. L. 91-345) on July 20, 1970. The role of the Commission is to advise the President and Congress on matters relating to library and information policies and plans. It is responsible for developing or recommending overall plans for the provision of library and information services adequate to meet the needs of the people of the United States.

The National Commission on Manufactured Housing was established on November 28, 1990 as an independent commission pursuant to Section 943 of the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-625). The Commission was created to develop recommendations for modernizing the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974. It assessed the effectiveness of the Act and developed an action plan containing specific recommendations for legislative and regulatory revision to the present law. The Commission was terminated upon the submission of its final report.

This Commission was created with a broad, aspirational mandate: to develop ideas that will foster a greater ethos of military, national, and public service among Americans of all ages and, in the process, strengthen our democracy. The Commission will also conduct a review of the military selective service process. Over the course of the next two-plus years, we hope to ignite a national conversation around service and inspire more Americans to serve. We intend to listen to the public, learn from those who serve and have yet to serve, and understand what barriers may exist that prevent more Americans from serving. Ultimately, our goal is to transform this conversation into a series of recommendations for the country, the American people, Congress, and the President.

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States was established as an independent, bipartisan commission of the legislative branch of the federal government by Title VI of PL 107-306, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 of November 27, 2002, as amended by PL 108-207 of January 20, 2004 The Commission was created to examine evidence developed by all relevant government agencies regarding the facts and causes of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, occurring at the World Trade Center in New York, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon in Virginia. The Commission reviewed the findings and recommendations of the Joint Inquiry of the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House, and other executive branch, congressional or independent commission investigations regarding the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Commission was terminated August 24, 2004 after submitting its final report. Source: The Encyclopedia of Governmental Advisory Organizations (EGAO 6560, p. 981)

National Commission on the Cost of Higher Education was established as a public advisory commission under the Department of Education by Title IV of the Cost of Higher Education Review (PL 105-18) of June 12, 1997. The Commission was created to examine the costs of higher education. According to the Final Report issued by the Commission on January 21, 1998, the Commission was created to examine eleven specific factors related to the costs of higher education. These factors included: 1. The increase in tuition compared with other commodities and services. 2. Innovative methods of reducing or stabilizing tuition. 3. Trends in college and university administrative costs, including administrative staffing, ratio of administrative staff to instructors, ratio of administrative staff to students, remuneration of administrative staff, and remuneration of college and university presidents and chancellors. 4. Trends in faculty workload and remuneration (including the use of adjunct faculty); faculty-to-student ratios; number of hours spent in the classroom by faculty; and tenure practices, and the impact of such trends on tuition. 5. Trends in the construction and renovation of academic and other collegiate facilities, the modernization of facilities to access and utilize new technologies, and the impact of such trends on tuition. 6. The extent to which increases in institutional financial aid and tuition discounting have effected tuition increases, including the demographics of students receiving such aid, the extent to which such aid is provided to students with limited need in order to attract such students to particular institutions or major fields of study, and the extent to which Federal financial aid, including loan aid, has been used to offset such increases. 7. The extent to which Federal, state and local laws, regulations or other mandates contribute to increasing tuition, and recommendations on reducing those mandates. 8. The establishment of a mechanism for a more timely and widespread distribution of data on tuition trends and other costs of operating colleges and universities. 9. The extent to which student financial aid programs have contributed to changes in tuition. 10. Trends in state fiscal policies that have affected college costs. 11. The adequacy of existing Federal and state financial aid programs in meeting the costs of attending colleges and universities. Following the publication of its final report, the Commission was terminated in September 1999. Source: http://www.nyu.edu/classes/jepsen/costreport.html

The National Commission on the Future of the Navy was established by Congress pursuant to Section 1092 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263), as extended by the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2025 and the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2026. The Commission is an independent legislative branch commission tasked with conducting a comprehensive study on the structure of the Navy.

The National Communications System (NCS) was originally established by Presidential Memorandum on August 21, 1963. After being transferred under the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, the focus of NCS, as described by it's mission statement is as follows: "Assist the President, the National Security Staff, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in:(1) the exercise of the telecommunications functions and responsibilities, and (2) the coordination of the planning for and provision of national security and emergency preparedness communications for the Federal government under all circumstances, including crisis or emergency, attack & recovery and reconstitution.

The National Consumer Cooperative Bank (NCCB) was created and chartered by the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act (92 Stat. 499, 12 U.S.C.A. 3001), enacted on August 20, 1978. The bank is directed by the act to encourage the development of new and existing cooperatives. The bank provides specialized credit and technical assistance to eligible cooperatives that provide goods, services, housing, and other facilities to their members as ultimate consumers. The bank is itself structured as a cooperative financial institution. Under its congressional charter, the bank is directed to make loans and offer its services throughout the United States, its territories and possessions, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

The National Council on Disability (NCD) was originally established as the National Council on the Handicapped under the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Rehabilitation by Comprehensive Services and Disability Amendments Act of 1978. The Council later transferred to the Department of Education by the Department of Education Organization Act of 1979, then became an independent agency in 1984 by PL 98-22, the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1984 and finally, had its name changed by PL 100-630, the Handicapped Programs technical Amendment Act of 1988 of November 7, 1988. The Council is an independent federal agency and is composed of nine members -- four appointed by leadership in Congress and five appointed by the President. NCD provides advice to the President, Congress, and executive branch agencies to advance policy that promotes the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act -- equality of opportunity, economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and full participation in all aspects of society -- regardless of type or severity of disability.

The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) was established by Presidential Executive Order 13354 in August 2004, and codified by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA). NCTC implements a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission: “Breaking the older mold of national government organizations, this NCTC should be a center for joint operational planning and joint intelligence, staffed by personnel from the various agencies.”

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) was established by act of March 10, 1970 (12 U.S.C. 1752), and reorganized by act of November 10, 1978 (12 U.S.C. 226), as an independent agency in the executive branch of the Federal Government. It regulates and insures all Federal credit unions and insures State-chartered credit unions that apply and qualify for share insurance. The National Credit Union Administration is responsible for chartering, insuring, supervising, and examining Federal credit unions and administering the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. The Administration also administers the Community Development Revolving Loan Fund and manages the Central Liquidity Facility, a mixed-ownership Government corporation whose purpose is to supply emergency loans to member credit unions.

The National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact Council was established under the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact (Compact) Act of 1998. The Compact provides an infrastructure by which States can exchange criminal records for noncriminal justice purposes according to the laws of the requesting State, and provide reciprocity among the States to share records without charging each other for the information. The Compact Council acts as a national independent authority that works in partnership with criminal history record custodians, end users, and policy makers to regulate and facilitate the sharing the complete, accurate, and timely criminal history record information to noncriminal justice users in order to enhance public safety, welfare and security of Society while recognizing the importance of individual privacy rights. The goal of the Council and the compact is to make available the most complete and up-to date records possible for noncriminal justice purposes.

The National Economic Council was established as a Presidential advisory council under the Executive Office of the President by Executive Order 12835 of January 25, 1993. The National Economic Council (NEC) was established in 1993 to advise the President on U.S. and global economic policy. It resides within the Office of Policy Development and is part of the Executive Office of the President. By Executive Order, the NEC has four principal functions: to coordinate policy-making for domestic and international economic issues, to coordinate economic policy advice for the President, to ensure that policy decisions and programs are consistent with the President's economic goals, and to monitor implementation of the President's economic policy agenda. The NEC is comprised of numerous department and agency heads within the administration, whose policy jurisdictions impact the nation's economy. The NEC Director works in conjunction with these officials to coordinate and implement the President's economic policy objectives. The Director is supported by a staff of policy specialists in various fields including: agriculture, commerce, energy, financial markets, fiscal policy, healthcare, labor, and Social Security. Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/nec/

The National Education Goals Panel was established as an independent Presidential advisory panel by a Joint Statement between President Bush and the nation’s governors on July 31, 1990 and became a fully independent federal agency in 1994. The Panel was created to set education goals for the nation by the year 2000. They supported system-wide reform by reporting on national and state progress toward the goals over a 10-year period, working to establish a system of high academic standards and assessments, identifying promising practices for improving education, and building a nationwide, bipartisan consensus to achieve the goals. The Panel responsibilities supported system-wide reform including: the reporting on national The Panel was terminated in April 2002. Source: The Encyclopedia of Governmental Advisory Organizations (EGAO 2228, p.320)

Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America.

The purpose of the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities is to develop and promote a broadly conceived national policy of support for the humanities and the arts in the United States, and for institutions which preserve the cultural heritage of the United States. The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities was created as an independent agency by the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 951). The Foundation consists of the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The National Gambling Impact Study Commission was established as an independent public advisory commission under authority of PL 104-169 on August 3, 1996. The Commission studied the social and economic impacts of gambling in the United States. The Commission was terminated after submitting its final report in June 1999 Source: The Encyclopedia of Governmental Advisory Organizations (EGAO 2344, p.336)