Government Agencies
The US Government has aggressively adopted the web. Take a look at some of the more requested agencies, Acts and topics that you may be familiar with, but would like additional information about.
At FirstGov.gov you’ll find access to an expansive list of online government information, services and resources. You’re able to communicate and follow many of these agencies on Twitter and Facebook, too.
Agriculture Law
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- The United States Department of Agriculture provides timely news, federal assistance information, and educational materials supporting the USDA’s services and mission.
- Farm Services Agency (FSA)
- The Farm Services Agency web site provides the latest FSA news, communications to congress, information about agricultural, farm loan, and conservation programs, as well as online access to commodity reports.
- Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)
- The Farm Service Agency web site provides a link to background information on the Commodity Credit Corporation, which was created to stabilize, support, and protect farm income and prices.
- Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
- The Farm Service Agency web site provides a link to background information on the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) which provide crop loss protection for crops not covered until Federal protection programs.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- The Environment Protection Agency web site provides information to advocate their mission to protect human health and safeguard the natural environment.
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act information is provided on the Environment Protection Agency web site.
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability information and related links are provided on the Environment Protection Agency web site.
Return to index . . .
Animal Law
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals web site appeals to pet owners and lovers by providing pet tips and a Cyber Shelter as well as information on current legislature, issues, and advocacy efforts.
Return to index . . .
Business Law
- Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)
- The Securities & Exchange Commission web site provides current news, bulletins, as well as investor and small business assistance.
- Business Information
- The US Business Advisor web site provides businesses with one-stop access to federal government information, services, and transactions. The site’s goal is to make the relationship between business and government more productive.
Return to index . . .
Civil Rights Law
- Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR)
- The Commission investigates reports of civil rights’ infringements as well as ensuring laws are enforced and meet the needs of the public.
- Census Bureau
- Manages the Census every 10 years, reports the results and distributes the data as necessary.
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- The site provides background information and recent developments regarding the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and many other protections given to employees of all types.
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
- The Americans with Disabilities Act home page hosted by the US Department of Justice web site explains the ADA, contains assistance information, and provides an ADA Information Line link to valuable related resources.
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development web site provides resources and information for consumers as well as HUD news and highlights.
Return to index . . .
Consumer Law
- Department of Commerce (DOC)
- The commerce department oversees trade, technology, telecommunications and US Patent and Trademark Office.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- The Federal Trade Commission web site provides information to support their efforts to stop actions threatening consumers’ opportunities to exercise informed choice. The site also contains information about federal antitrust and consumer protection laws.
- Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC)
- Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) provides the answers to questions about the Federal Government and everyday consumer issues whether citizens write, call or log on.
- Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998
- Section 1028(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended — ‘knowingly transfers or uses, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of Federal law, or that constitutes a felony under any applicable State or local law;’.
Return to index . . .
Criminal Law
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- Tracks firearm and explosive trafficking, violent crimes, bombs, and eliminate tobacco & cigarettes crime.
- United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG)
- The United States Sentencing Commission web site provides links to United States Sentencing Guidelines and Amendments.
Return to index . . .
Credit & Finance Law
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
- The Federal Trade Commission web site provides online publications and information on filing a complaint.
- Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
- The Legal Information Institute provides detailed information on the Uniform Commercial Code.
Return to index . . .
Employment Law
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
- The Americans with Disabilities Act home page hosted by the US Department of Justice web site explains the ADA, contains assistance information, and provides an ADA Information Line link to valuable related resources.
- US Department of Labor
- The US Department of Labor web site provides a wide range of employment related information.
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission site provides background information and recent developments regarding the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
- National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
- The National Labor Relations Board web site hosts a help desk and publishes rules, regulations, and other related information to enforce the National Labor Relations Act.
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
- A comprehensive web site about the Occupational Safety and Health Act hosted by the US Department of Labor.
Return to index . . .
Environmental Law
- Army Corps of Engineers (ACE)
- Works to maintain the country’s infrastructure and maintain military facilities and projects such as rebuilding New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and clean up efforts after oil spills.
- US Department of the Interior (EPA)
- The Department of the Interior protects our natural wildlife and includes the National Parks program. It also houses the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- The Environment Protection Agency web site provides information to advocate their mission to protect human health and safeguard the natural environment.
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability information and related links are provided on the Environment Protection Agency web site.
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- NEPAnet contains the full text statute and provides links to related associations and regulations.
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
- The US Environmental Protection Agency web site provides National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program publications.
- Safe Water Drinking Act
- The Environmental Protection Agency web site provides an overview of the Safe Water Drinking Act.
- Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
- The Environmental Protection Agency web site provides an overview of the Toxic Substance Control Act.
- Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
- The Environmental Protection Agency web site provides an overview of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- The Environmental Protection Agency web site provides an overview of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
- Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability information and related links are provided on the Environment Protection Agency web site.
Return to index . . .
Family Law
- Administration on Aging (AoA)
- Keeping you informed about changes in elder rights and finding programs to assist your health and finances.
- Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJA)
- The Department of Justice site contains everything you want to know about the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act.
- Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (PKPA)
- Text from the US Code as provided by the US House of Representatives.
- Child Abduction Resources
- The US State Department provides resources including information on international child abduction.
- Administration for Children and Families
- The US Department of Health and Human Services web site contains background information on Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA)as well as information and access to information on family services.
Return to index . . .
Financial Law
- US Bankruptcy Courts (FCRA)
- Find out more about filing for bankruptcy and how the court system works.
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
- The Fair Credit Reporting Act promotes the accuracy, fairness and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies.
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FCRA)
- The Fair Debt Collection Practice Act requires that debt collectors treat you fairly and prohibits certain methods of debt collection.
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- The Securities & Exchange Commission web site provides current news, bulletins, as well as investor and small business assistance.
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation web site provides a comprehensive collection of banking and consumer news as well as laws and regulations regarding FDIC.
- Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
- The Legal Information Institute provides detailed information on the Uniform Commercial Code.
- National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD)
- The National Association of Securities Dealers web site provides publications, services, and training for investors and those interested in learning more about investing.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- The Department of Veterans Affairs web site provides services and information to assist veterans of foreign wars and their families.
Return to index . . .
General Government Agencies
- USA.GOV (DOD)
- Stay current on events and news from around the country that may affect your daily life.
- Department of Defense (DOD)
- The main government deparment that oversees all areas of the military.
- Department of Education (DOEd)
- Maintains education standards for public schools, including colleges. It also shows where and how to apply for federal loans and grants.
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- Learn what the government is doing to change its energy needs and implementing controls on current needs.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- One of the newest departments added to the government, oversees security including counter-terrorism, border security, and threat levels.
- Department of State (DOS)
- The goal of the State Department is to use diplomacy to solve problems throughout the world.
- Department of Treasury (Treasury)
- Your money at work – literally. The Treasury Department is concerned about the financial stability of the country, and oversees illegal activities such as fraud or counterfeiting.
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- As a part of the Justice Department, this agency specifically oversees drug-related crimes.
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Specifically oversees air traffic and commerce, flight restrictions and licensing.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Find out more about the types of crimes the FBI investigates and learn how to protect yourself from crime.
- Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)
- From a national level to your local area, FEMA manages recovery projects after disasters have been declared.
- Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
- Provides legal services to people who can’t afford to hire a lawyer, more commonly called ‘Legal Aid.’
- Library of Congress (LOC)
- As the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress serves two purposes: It’s the research arm of Congress and preserves all types of cultural artifacts, now including Twitter feeds.
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Sending people into space and beyond has been NASA’s goal for many decades. It also researches the oceans and regularly sends various research missions.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Covering our weather, waterways and coasts.
- National Security Agency (NSA)
- Provides information and intelligence to many agencies such as the military, Department of Defense and provides crytopgraphic services.
- US Post Office (USPS)
- Mail and package delivery services.
Return to index . . .
Health Law
- Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- The Center for Disease Control is your source for the facts about epidemics, health issues, and host of other helpful facts.
- Department of Health & Human Services
- Department of Health & Human Services web site provides information on Medicare, Medicaid, and Child Health Insurance Programs.
- Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS)
- The Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals hosts information on their site about Tricare/Champus.
- Medicare
- The Medicare web site offers a comprehensive selection of information for everyone interested in considering joining, or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
- Offered by the Department of Health and Human Services information addresses choosing and using a health plan including HMO’s and PPO’s.
- Federal Old Age Survivors Insurance Program (OASI)
- The South Dakota Office of State Auditor explains the responsibilities of the State Social Security Administrators regarding the Federal Old Age Survivors_ Insurance Program.
- Social Security Administration (SSA)
- The Social Security Online web site provides complete Social Security information and resources in an easy to read newsletter format.
Return to index . . .
Immigration Law
- US Customs and Border Protection
- This group keeps terrorists and their weapons out of the US. They also facilitate trade while maintaining regulations and immigration laws.
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Complete immigration and naturalization service information.
Return to index . . .
Insurance Law
- Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
- The US Department of Labor web site provides the background and information of the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
- Portability of Health Coverage (HIPAA)
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provides rights and protections for participants and beneficiaries in group health plans.
- Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA)
- The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), passed in 1986 and accessible on the US Department of Labor web site, amended the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code and the Public Health Service Act to provide continuation of group health coverage that otherwise might be terminated under defined circumstances.
Return to index . . .
Intellectual Property Law
- US Patent Office
- The Department of Commerce hosts information about the US Patent Office including forms, laws, and the latest information.
- US Copyright Office
- The Library of Congress hosts information about the US Copyright Office including current legislation, publications, and announcements.
Return to index . . .
Personal Injury Law
- >
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
- A comprehensive web site about the Occupational Safety and Health Act hosted by the US Department of Labor.
Return to index . . .
Real Estate Law
- US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Housing and Urban Development provides links to preventing foreclosure and learning more about how the stimulus package can help homeowners.
- Fair Housing Act (FHA)
- Hosted by the Housing and Urban Development office, this site provides Fair Housing Act rights and regulations.
Return to index . . .
Taxation Law
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) web site takes a down-to-earth approach to providing IRS-related information, access to forms, and services.
Return to index . . .
Zoning, Planning, and Land Use Law
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- Oversees programs to management and conserver our resources. It administers the use of land for grazing, mining, commercial forests, soil and water management, and more.