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Administrative Government Agencies
Petitioning Government
Just how does one go about petitioning
one of the many obscure branches of government? Agencies discussed
here mostly effect our lives in administering the laws of the land,
are called “The Administrative Agencies”. There are three
devisions within the Administrative Agencies, first is the Regulatory
Agencies which consist of:
Business Standards
Responsible for regulating safety
issues of public interest of specific businesses For example, the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Rate making
Regulates the price of certain goods
and services, such as utilities, telephone,
transportation companies, and dairy
products. For example, state public utility
Commissions, department of Food and
Agriculture and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Licensing sets and maintains standards
for entry into a business or occupation; many also enforce
professional standards and decide disciplinary matters involving
licensees. Medical boards, funeral boards, and cosmetology boards,
for example, are licensing agencies. Many states have a long list of
such boards. Some boards are completely independent; others fall
under the jurisdiction of other state departments
Permitting agencies generally require
businesses or industries to preserve the quality of the environment.
They set minimum standards for construction projects, waste disposal
plants, the agricultural use of pesticides, and other projects with
an environmental impact. City and county planning commissions are
local permitting agencies.
Social welfare and entitlement agencies
oversee public benefits programs. They include social service
departments, health and welfare agencies, and housing departments.
Government operations agencies keep
government functioning; they involve purchasing, personnel, property
management, etc.
There are some agencies classified as
part of the executive branch which fall under the authority of the
president, state governor, or mayor, which can also be independent
groups. There are also independent agencies known as boards or
commissions which are headed by multi-member groups appointed by the
executive or legislative branch or by both branches together like the
U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Many states also have agencies chaired
by elected officials,such as insurance commissioners.
Administrative agencies expedite their
missions mainly through one of four ways:
1.Rule-making,
2.Adjudication
3.Licensing and permitting,
4.Rate-making.
Some public agencies, such as school,
municipal utility, emergency services and hospital boards oversee
services provided directly to the community.
Private agencies and organizations
There are organizations not connected
to government which can be petitioned to make changes in their
procedures. These organizations are under no obligation to respond or
act as you wish. But by following proper protocol you stand a good
chance of moving your agenda for change forward. By using documented
facts, an organized coalition of interested groups, presenting a
possible solution, and media pressure will almost always get a
response from the agency you focus on.
Agencies’ processes
Rule-making is the process by which
agencies establish, change, or eliminate rules and regulations—the
operational details of the laws passed by the legislative branch.
Rules and regulations are used to
require businesses to act in a responsible manner so as to refrain
them from behaving in ways that could harm the public, or to provide
government services in an efficient and equitable manner. As example
would be to restrict the amounts and types of chemicals farmers can
use, or prevent the sale of unsafe or unreliable drugs and medical
devices.
Agencies also establish rules and
regulations to require responsible, positive behavior, like testing
drugs and medical devices before they are made available to the
public. Many rules and regulations are set by the agency, profession,
trade, or populace who are being regulated or affected by the
particular agency. One note of importance is to remember, that you or
any citizen may propose a new regulation, or propose change or the
elimination of an existing regulation. Simply by following protocol
you can exercise your right to petition local, state, or federal
agencies, if you feel a change needs to be made.
Before any proposed rule can be
adopted, agency officials must notify the effected public and provide
an opportunity for people to comment or protest.
Most usually regulations are formally
adopted when approved by the head of an agency or members of its
board of directors. The new ruling usually becomes effective 30 days
after the approval. I
Adjudication
The process by which an agency may
determine whether a person or organization has violated a rule or a
law and, if so, what disciplinary action should be taken. Some
agencies have the authority to issue cease-and-desist orders, to
impose fines, or to revoke, suspend, or modify licenses or permits or
operation. Usually, such proceedings are held as hearings similar to
court procedures and decisions.
You or any citizen can ask an agency to
enforce a rule or a law. Requests for enforcement can be an effective
tool to hold industry or business accountable for their actions.
Licensing and permitting
The process by which an agency grants a
business or individual permission to engage in a particular
occupation, operate in a certain manner, or do business in a certain
jurisdiction. Agencies are often required to post public notices of
an application for a license or permit and to provide for public
comment. Citizens participation in the process can effectively shape
the activity of a licensed business or require some public benefit in
return for granting a license or permit
Rate-making
The process by which an administrative
body determines the rate companies can charge for public utilities or
certain goods and services, such as gas and electricity, cable and
telephone services, and transportation. If proper procedures are
followed, the public may participate in rate-making proceedings.
If a citizen believes the agency’s
procedures are not fair, or if they have not given the public a
reasonable chance to make their case, they can be petitioned by any
citizen to change, eliminate, or add to their procedures.
It is the right and duty of each
citizen to be observant and responsible in holding government
agencies accountable for their actions.
