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Agovernment agency orstate agency, sometimes anappointed commission, is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in themachinery of government (bureaucracy) that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as anadministration.[1] There is a notable variety of agency types. Although usage differs, a government agency is normally distinct both from a department orministry, and other types of public body established bygovernment. The functions of an agency are normally executive in character since different types of organizations (such as commissions) are most often constituted in an advisory role — this distinction is often blurred in practice however, it is not allowed.
A government agency may be established by either a national government or a state government within a federal system. Agencies can be established by legislation or by executive powers. The autonomy, independence, and accountability of government agencies also vary widely.
Early examples of organizations that would now be termed a government agency include the BritishNavy Board, responsible for ships and supplies, which was established[2] in 1546 by King Henry VIII and the BritishCommissioners of Bankruptcy established[3] in 1570.
From 1933, theNew Deal saw growth in U.S. federal agencies, the "alphabet agencies" as they were used to deliver new programs created by legislation, such as theFederal Emergency Relief Administration.
From the 1980s, as part ofNew Public Management, several countries including Australia and the United Kingdom developed the use of agencies to improve efficiency in public services.
Administrative law in France refers toautorité administrative indépendante (AAI) or Independent Administrative Authorities. They tend to be prominent in the following areas of public policy;
Independent Administrative Authorities in France may not be instructed or ordered to take specific actions by the government.
TheGeneral Secretariat for Macedonia and Thrace (Greek: Γενική Γραμματεία Μακεδονίας-Θράκης), previouslyMinistry for Macedonia and Thrace (Greek: Υπουργείο Μακεδονίας-Θράκης) is a government agency of theHellenic Republic that is responsible for theGreek regions ofMacedonia andThrace.
The termagency in India has several meanings; for example, theCabinet and the parliamentSecretariat describes itself[4] as a "nodal agency for coordination amongst the ministries of the Govt. of India". Most notably as an international feature, what appear to be independent agencies (or apex agencies) include some that have active roles for Ministers: such as, theNational Security Council, theMedical Council of India, thePharmacy Council of India (PCI), theIndian Council of Agricultural Research, and theNITI Aayog, which is chairedex officio by the Prime Minister.
In the Netherlands, an agency (agentschap) is a part of agovernment ministry with its own management, budget, and financial administration, separate from the ministry to which it belongs. Theminister retains full control of an agency and has fullministerial responsibility for its activities.
Russia has had many government agencies throughout its history. TheUSSR had the secretiveKGB.Today, Russian government agencies such as theFSB,FSO, and theGRU useSpetsnaz or other masked operators for any missions.Other organizations includeKremlin and presidential security.
The Government agencies in Sweden areState controlled organizations who act independently to carry out the policies of theGovernment of Sweden. TheMinistries are relatively small and merely policy-making organizations, allowed to control agencies by policy decisions but not by direct orders. This means that while the agencies are subject to decisions made by the Government, Ministers are explicitly prohibited (so-called ban onministerstyre) from interfering with the day-to-day operation in an agency or the outcome in individual cases as well.
In addition to the State and its agencies, there are also local government agencies, which are extensions ofmunicipalities andcounty councils.
Agencies in the United Kingdom are eitherexecutive agencies answerable togovernment ministers ornon-departmental public bodies answerable directly toparliament or the devolvedassemblies of the United Kingdom. They are also commonly known asQuangos.
Agencies can be created by enabling legislation by theParliament of the United Kingdom,Scottish Parliament or theWelsh Parliament.
TheCongress andPresident of the United States delegate specific authority to government agencies toregulate the complex facets of the modern Americanfederal state. Also, most of the 50U.S. states have created similar government agencies. Each state government is similar to the national government, with all but one having a bicameral legislature.The term "government agency" or "administrative agency" usually applies to one of theindependent agencies of the United States government, which exercise some degree of independence from the President's control. Although the heads of independent agencies are often appointed by the government, they can usually be removed only for cause. The heads of independent agencies work together in groups, such as a commission, board or council. Independent agencies often function as miniature versions of thetripartite federal government with the authority tolegislate (through the issuing or promulgation of regulations), toadjudicate disputes, and toenforce agency regulations. Examples of independent agencies include theFederal Communications Commission (FCC),Federal Reserve Board,U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), theNational Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and theFederal Trade Commission (FTC).
A broader definition of the term "government agency" also means theUnited States federal executive departments that include the President'scabinet-level departments and their sub-units. Examples of these include theDepartment of Energy (DOE) and theInternal Revenue Service (IRS), which is a bureau of theDepartment of the Treasury.
Most federal agencies are created by Congress through "organic statutes," which define the scope of their authority. Because theConstitution does not expressly mention federal agencies, some commentators have called agencies the "headless fourth branch" of the federal government. However, most independent agencies are technically part of the executive branch, while others work within the legislative branch. By enacting theAdministrative Procedure Act (APA) in 1946, Congress established means to oversee agency action through uniformadministrative law procedures for setting regulations and adjudicating claims. The APA also establishesjudicial review of agency action.
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