Office of the Federal Register

Office of the Federal Register
Name	Office of the Federal Register
Formed	July 26, 1935
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Parent agency	National Archives and Records Administration
Chief1 name	Director
Website	www.archives.gov/federal-register

Office of the Federal Register. It is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents. Established by the Federal Register Act in 1935, it operates under the National Archives and Records Administration to ensure transparency and public access to the regulatory process. Its publications serve as the definitive source for the official actions of the Executive Office of the President and all federal departments.

History

The agency was created on July 26, 1935, following the passage of the Federal Register Act, a legislative response to the New Deal era's expansion of federal administrative law. Prior to its establishment, there was no centralized, systematic publication of agency regulations, leading to legal confusion as highlighted by the Supreme Court case Panama Refining Co. v. Ryan. Its first director was Archibald MacLeish, who later served as the Librarian of Congress. Over the decades, its role was expanded by statutes like the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 and the Freedom of Information Act of 1966, which further codified public access requirements. The move to electronic dissemination began in the 1990s, culminating with the launch of the Federal Digital System (FDsys) and its successor, GovInfo.

Functions and responsibilities

Its primary function is to edit, compile, and publish the daily Federal Register, which includes presidential proclamations, executive orders, and agency documents with general applicability and legal effect. It oversees the codification of regulations into the Code of Federal Regulations, an annual compilation of all current federal rules. The office also manages the publication of the United States Statutes at Large and the official compilation of the United States Code. A critical duty is administering the Electoral College vote count certificates and constitutional amendment ratification documents. It provides legal evidentiary status to its publications, meaning the text published is the official version for all legal and regulatory purposes.

Publications

Its flagship publication is the daily Federal Register, issued every federal business day. The annual Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is divided into 50 titles representing broad subject areas, such as Title 21 for the Food and Drug Administration and Title 40 for the Environmental Protection Agency. It also publishes the weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, which includes executive orders and proclamations. The official session laws of the United States Congress are published in the United States Statutes at Large. All publications are made available for free public access online via the GovInfo website maintained by the Government Publishing Office.

Legal authority and oversight

Its foundational authority is the Federal Register Act, which was subsequently amended by the Administrative Procedure Act. The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs provide congressional oversight. Its operations are further governed by provisions in the Freedom of Information Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Archivist of the United States, as head of the National Archives and Records Administration, provides direct administrative supervision. The federal courts routinely cite its publications as the official text of regulations in legal proceedings, reinforcing its statutory role.

Organizational structure

It is a component of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), specifically within the Office of the Federal Register. The office is led by a Director appointed by the Archivist of the United States. Key divisions include the Legal Affairs and Policy staff, the Editorial and Publishing staff, and the Systems and Technology staff. It works closely with the Government Publishing Office for printing and digital distribution. Staff includes attorneys, editors, and information technology specialists who coordinate with liaison officers in every federal agency, such as the Department of Defense and the Department of the Treasury.

Impact and significance

It plays a fundamental role in the Rule of law in the United States by providing public notice of legal requirements and government actions. Its work is essential for the enforcement of the Administrative Procedure Act, ensuring regulations are properly promulgated before they can be enforced by agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Federal Aviation Administration. Scholars and legal professionals, including those at the American Bar Association, rely on its publications for research and practice. The transition to digital platforms like GovInfo has dramatically increased global access to U.S. regulatory law, influencing international regulatory practices and transparency initiatives.

Category:United States federal executive departments Category:Government publications