2011—Pub. L. 111–352, §13(a), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3882, added item 306 and struck out former item 306 “Strategic plans”.
1993—Pub. L. 103–62, §11(a), Aug. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 295, added item 306.
The head of an Executive department or military department may prescribe regulations for the government of his department, the conduct of its employees, the distribution and performance of its business, and the custody, use, and preservation of its records, papers, and property. This section does not authorize withholding information from the public or limiting the availability of records to the public.
(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 379.)
| Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
|---|---|---|
| 5 U.S.C. 22. | R.S. §161. Aug. 12, 1958, Pub. L. 85–619, 72 Stat. 547. |
The words “Executive department” are substituted for “department” as the definition of “department” applicable to this section is coextensive with the definition of “Executive department” in section 101. The words “not inconsistent with law” are omitted as surplusage as a regulation which is inconsistent with law is invalid.
The words “or military department” are inserted to preserve the application of the source law. Before enactment of the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (63 Stat. 578), the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force were Executive departments. The National Security Act Amendments of 1949 established the Department of Defense as an Executive Department including the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force as military departments, not as Executive departments. However, the source law for this section, which was in effect in 1949, remained applicable to the Secretaries of the military departments by virtue of section 12(g) of the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (63 Stat. 591), which provided:
“All laws, orders, regulations, and other actions relating to the National Military Establishment, the Departments of the Army, the Navy, or the Air Force, or to any officer or activity of such establishment or such departments, shall, except to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, have the same effect as if this Act had not been enacted; but, after the effective date of this Act, any such law, order, regulation, or other action which vested functions in or otherwise related to any officer, department, or establishment, shall be deemed to have vested such function in or relate to the officer, or department, executive or military, succeeding the officer, department, or establishment in which such function was vested. For purposes of this subsection the Department of Defense shall be deemed the department succeeding the National Military Establishment, and the military departments of Army, Navy, and Air Force shall be deemed the departments succeeding the Executive Departments of Army, Navy, and Air Force.”
This section was part of title IV of the Revised Statutes. The Act of July 26, 1947, ch. 343, §201(d), as added Aug. 10, 1949, ch. 412, §4, 63 Stat. 579 (former 5 U.S.C. 171–1), which provides “Except to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of this Act [National Security Act of 1947], the provisions of title IV of the Revised Statutes as now or hereafter amended shall be applicable to the Department of Defense” is omitted from this title but is not repealed.
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
Pub. L. 111–274, Oct. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 2861, provided that:
“This Act may be cited as the ‘Plain Writing Act of 2010’.
“The purpose of this Act is to improve the effectiveness and accountability of Federal agencies to the public by promoting clear Government communication that the public can understand and use.
“In this Act:
“(1)
“(2)
“(A) means any document that—
“(i) is necessary for obtaining any Federal Government benefit or service or filing taxes;
“(ii) provides information about any Federal Government benefit or service; or
“(iii) explains to the public how to comply with a requirement the Federal Government administers or enforces;
“(B) includes (whether in paper or electronic form) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction; and
“(C) does not include a regulation.
“(3)
“(a)
“(1)
“(A) designate 1 or more senior officials within the agency to oversee the agency implementation of this Act;
“(B) communicate the requirements of this Act to the employees of the agency;
“(C) train employees of the agency in plain writing;
“(D) establish a process for overseeing the ongoing compliance of the agency with the requirements of this Act;
“(E) create and maintain a plain writing section of the agency's website as required under paragraph (2) that is accessible from the homepage of the agency's website; and
“(F) designate 1 or more agency points-of-contact to receive and respond to public input on—
“(i) agency implementation of this Act; and
“(ii) the agency reports required under section 5.
“(2)
“(A) inform the public of agency compliance with the requirements of this Act; and
“(B) provide a mechanism for the agency to receive and respond to public input on—
“(i) agency implementation of this Act; and
“(ii) the agency reports required under section 5.
“(b)
“(c)
“(1)
“(2)
“(A) the writing guidelines developed by the Plain Language Action and Information Network; or
“(B) guidance provided by the head of the agency that is consistent with the guidelines referred to in subparagraph (A).
“(a)
“(b)
“(a)
“(b)
“The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 [2 U.S.C. 931 et seq.], shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled ‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation’ for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.”
Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title X, §1058(a), (b), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3442, provided that:
“(a)
“(1) the Boy Scouts of America;
“(2) the Girl Scouts of the United States of America;
“(3) the Boys Clubs of America;
“(4) the Girls Clubs of America;
“(5) the Young Men's Christian Association;
“(6) the Young Women's Christian Association;
“(7) the Civil Air Patrol;
“(8) the United States Olympic Committee;
“(9) the Special Olympics;
“(10) Campfire USA;
“(11) the Young Marines;
“(12) the Naval Sea Cadets Corps;
“(13) 4–H Clubs;
“(14) the Police Athletic League;
“(15) Big Brothers—Big Sisters of America;
“(16) National Guard Challenge Program; and
“(17) any other organization designated by the President as an organization that is primarily intended to—
“(A) serve individuals under the age of 21 years;
“(B) provide training in citizenship, leadership, physical fitness, service to community, and teamwork; and
“(C) promote the development of character and ethical and moral values.
“(b)
“(1)
“(2)
“(3)
“(A) any senior officer (including any member of the board of directors) of the youth organization is convicted of a criminal offense relating to the official duties of that officer or the youth organization is convicted of a criminal offense; or
“(B) the youth organization is the subject of a criminal investigation relating to fraudulent use or waste of Federal funds.
“(4)
“(A) authorizing a youth organization to hold meetings, camping events, or other activities on Federal property;
“(B) hosting any official event of a youth organization;
“(C) loaning equipment for the use of a youth organization; and
“(D) providing personnel services and logistical support for a youth organization.”
Pub. L. 109–148, div. A, title VIII, §8126(b), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2728, which contained provisions substantially similar to those in Pub. L. 109–163, §1058(a), (b), set out above, was repealed by Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title X, §1071(f)(3), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2402.
Pub. L. 108–458, title VII, §7211(a)–(d), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3825–3827, provided that:
“(a)
“(1) for an individual (regardless of where born)—
“(A) who is a citizen or national of the United States at birth; and
“(B) whose birth is registered in the United States; and
“(2) that—
“(A) is issued by a Federal, State, or local government agency or authorized custodian of record and produced from birth records maintained by such agency or custodian of record; or
“(B) is an authenticated copy, issued by a Federal, State, or local government agency or authorized custodian of record, of an original certificate of birth issued by such agency or custodian of record.
“(b)
“(1)
“(2)
“(A)
“(B)
“(C)
“(D)
“(3)
“(A) at a minimum, shall require certification of the birth certificate by the State or local government custodian of record that issued the certificate, and shall require the use of safety paper or an alternative, equally secure medium, the seal of the issuing custodian of record, and other features designed to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, or otherwise duplicating the birth certificate for fraudulent purposes;
“(B) shall establish requirements for proof and verification of identity as a condition of issuance of a birth certificate, with additional security measures for the issuance of a birth certificate for a person who is not the applicant;
“(C) shall establish standards for the processing of birth certificate applications to prevent fraud;
“(D) may not require a single design to which birth certificates issued by all States must conform; and
“(E) shall accommodate the differences between the States in the manner and form in which birth records are stored and birth certificates are produced from such records.
“(4)
“(A) the Secretary of Homeland Security;
“(B) the Commissioner of Social Security;
“(C) State vital statistics offices; and
“(D) other appropriate Federal agencies.
“(5)
“(c)
“(1)
“(A)
“(B)
“(C)
“(2)
“(A)
“(i) computerizing their birth and death records;
“(ii) developing the capability to match birth and death records within each State and among the States; and
“(iii) noting the fact of death on the birth certificates of deceased persons.
“(B)
“(C)
“(d)
Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title VI, §656, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–716, as amended by Pub. L. 106–69, title III, §355, Oct. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1027, which related to standards for acceptance of birth certificates by Federal agencies for any official purpose, required the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States for assistance in meeting Federal standards and in matching birth and death records and for demonstration projects, and required the Secretary to submit a report to the Congress on ways to reduce the fraudulent obtaining and use of birth certificates, was repealed by Pub. L. 108–458, title VII, §7211(e), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3827.
Establishment of equal employment opportunity programs by heads of Executive departments and agencies, see Ex. Ord. No. 11246, Sept. 24, 1965, 30 F.R. 12319 and Ex. Ord. No. 11478, Aug. 8, 1969, 34 F.R. 12985, set out as notes under section 2000e of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
(a) For the purpose of this section, “agency” has the meaning given it by section 5721 of this title.
(b) In addition to the authority to delegate conferred by other law, the head of an agency may delegate to subordinate officials the authority vested in him—
(1) by law to take final action on matters pertaining to the employment, direction, and general administration of personnel under his agency; and
(2) by section 3702 of title 44 to authorize the publication of advertisements, notices, or proposals.
(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 379; Pub. L. 94–183, §2(1), Dec. 31, 1975, 89 Stat. 1057.)
| Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
|---|---|---|
| 5 U.S.C. 22a. | Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 744, §12, 60 Stat. 809. |
Clause (2) of former section 22a is omitted because of the repeal of R.S. §3683 (31 U.S.C. 675) by the Act of Sept. 12, 1950, ch. 946, §301(76), 64 Stat. 843.
The word “agency” is substituted for “department” and defined to conform to the definition of “department” in section 18 of the Act of Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 744, 60 Stat. 811.
In subsection (b), the words “In addition to the authority to delegate conferred by other law,” are added for clarity and in recognition of the various reorganization plans which generally have transferred all functions of the departments and agencies to the heads thereof and have authorized them to delegate the functions to subordinates.
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
1975—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 94–183 substituted “3702” for “324”.
(a) An employee of an Executive department lawfully assigned to investigate frauds on or attempts to defraud the United States, or irregularity or misconduct of an employee or agent of the United States, may administer an oath to a witness attending to testify or depose in the course of the investigation.
(b) An employee of the Department of Defense lawfully assigned to investigative duties may administer oaths to witnesses in connection with an official investigation.
(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 379; Pub. L. 94–213, Feb. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 179.)
| Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
|---|---|---|
| 5 U.S.C. 93. | R.S. §183. Mar. 2, 1901, ch. 809, §3, 31 Stat. 951. Feb. 13, 1911, ch. 43, 36 Stat. 898. |
The word “employee” is substituted for “officer or clerk” in view of the definition in section 2105. The words “Executive department” are substituted for “departments” as the definition of “department” applicable to this section is coextensive with the definition of “Executive department” in section 101. So much as related to the Armed Forces is omitted as superseded by section 636 of title 14 and section 936(b) of title 10.
This section was part of title IV of the Revised Statutes. The Act of July 26, 1947, ch. 343, §201(d), as added Aug. 10, 1949, ch. 412, §4, 63 Stat. 579 (formerly 5 U.S.C. 171–1), which provides “Except to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of this Act [National Security Act of 1947], the provisions of title IV of the Revised Statutes as now or hereafter amended shall be applicable to the Department of Defense” is omitted from this title but is not repealed.
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
1976—Pub. L. 94–213 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).
(a) The head of an Executive department or military department or bureau thereof in which a claim against the United States is pending may apply to a judge or clerk of a court of the United States to issue a subpena for a witness within the jurisdiction of the court to appear at a time and place stated in the subpena before an individual authorized to take depositions to be used in the courts of the United States, to give full and true answers to such written interrogatories and cross-interrogatories as may be submitted with the application, or to be orally examined and cross-examined on the subject of the claim.
(b) If a witness, after being served with a subpena, neglects or refuses to appear, or, appearing, refuses to testify, the judge of the district in which the subpena issued may proceed, on proper process, to enforce obedience to the subpena, or to punish for disobedience, in the same manner as a court of the United States may in case of process of subpena ad testificandum issued by the court.
(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 379.)
| Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | 5 U.S.C. 94. | R.S. §184. |
| (b) | 5 U.S.C. 96. | R.S. §186. |
In subsection (a), the words “Executive department” are substituted for “department” as the definition of “department” applicable to this section is coextensive with the definition of “Executive department” in section 101. The word “thereof” is added to reflect the proper relationship between “department” and “bureau” as reflected in title IV of the Revised Statutes of 1878. The words “in any State, District, or Territory” are omitted as unnecessary. The word “individual” is substituted for “officer” as the definition of “officer” in section 2104 is narrower than the word “officer” in R.S. §184 which word includes “officers” as defined in section 2104 as well as notaries public who are not “officers” under section 2104, but are “officers” as that word is used in R.S. §184.
In subsection (a), the words “or military department” are inserted to preserve the application of the source law. Before enactment of the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (63 Stat. 578), the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force were Executive departments. The National Security Act Amendments of 1949 established the Department of Defense as an Executive Department including the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force as military departments, not as Executive departments. However, the source law for this section, which was in effect in 1949, remained applicable to the Secretaries of the military departments by virtue of section 12(g) of the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (63 Stat. 591), which is set out in the reviser's note for section 301.
This section was part of title IV of the Revised Statutes. The Act of July 26, 1947, ch. 343, §201(d), as added Aug. 10, 1949, ch. 412, §4, 63 Stat. 579 (former 5 U.S.C. 171–1), which provides “Except to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of this Act [National Security Act of 1947], the provisions of title IV of the Revised Statutes as now or hereafter amended shall be applicable to the Department of Defense” is omitted from this title but is not repealed.
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
(a) For the purpose of this section, “agency” means an Executive agency, but does not include—
(1) a Government controlled corporation;
(2) the Tennessee Valley Authority;
(3) the Virgin Islands Corporation;
(4) the Atomic Energy Commission;
(5) the Central Intelligence Agency;
(6) the Panama Canal Commission; or
(7) the National Security Agency, Department of Defense.
(b) Under regulations prescribed and administered by the President, each agency shall review systematically the operations of each of its activities, functions, or organization units, on a continuing basis.
(c) The purpose of the reviews includes—
(1) determining the degree of efficiency and economy in the operation of the agency's activities, functions, or organization units;
(2) identifying the units that are outstanding in those respects; and
(3) identifying the employees whose personal efforts have caused their units to be outstanding in efficiency and economy of operations.
(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 380; Pub. L. 96–54, §2(a)(2), Aug. 14, 1979, 93 Stat. 381; Pub. L. 96–70, title III, §3302(e)(1), Sept. 27, 1979, 93 Stat. 498; Pub. L. 97–468, title VI, §615(b)(1)(A), Jan. 14, 1983, 96 Stat. 2578.)
| Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | 5 U.S.C. 1085. | Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 782, §205, 63 Stat. 957. |
| (b), (c) | 5 U.S.C. 1151. | Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 782, §1001, 63 Stat. 971. |
Subsection (a) is based in part on former sections 1081 and 1082, which are carried into section 5102.
In subsection (a)(1), the exception of “a Government controlled corporation” is added to preserve the application of this section to “corporations wholly owned by the United States”. This is necessary as the defined term “Executive agency” includes the defined term “Government corporation” and the latter includes both Government owned and controlled corporations. Thus the exclusion of Government controlled corporations, which are distinct from wholly owned corporations, operates to preserve the application of this section to wholly owned corporations. The exception for the Inland Waterways Corporation in former section 1082(13) is omitted on authority of the Act of July 19, 1963, Pub. L. 88–67, 77 Stat. 81. The exceptions for Production Credit Corporations and Federal Intermediate Credit Banks in former section 1082(18) and (19) are omitted as they are no longer “corporations wholly owned by the United States”. Under the Farm Credit Act of 1956, 70 Stat. 659, the Production Credit Corporations were merged in the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, and pursuant to that Act the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks have ceased to be corporations wholly owned by the United States.
In subsection (a)(7), the words “Panama Canal Company” are substituted for “Panama Railroad Company” on authority of the Act of Sept. 26, 1950, ch. 1049, §2(a)(2), 64 Stat. 1038.
Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.
1983—Subsec. (a)(3) to (8). Pub. L. 97–468 struck out par. (3), which excluded The Alaska Railroad, and redesignated pars. (4) to (8) as (3) to (7), respectively.
1979—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 96–70 substituted “Commission” for “Company”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–54 substituted “President” for “Director of the Bureau of the Budget”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–468 effective on date of transfer of Alaska Railroad to the State [Jan. 5, 1985], pursuant to section 1203 of Title 45, Railroads, see section 615(b) of Pub. L. 97–468.
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–70 effective Oct. 1, 1979, see section 3304 of Pub. L. 96–70, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3601 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.
Section 2(b) of Pub. L. 96–54 provided that: “Except as otherwise expressly provided in subsection (a), the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending sections 305, 1308, 2101, 2105, 2106, 2108, 3102, 3132, 3302, 3305, 3315, 3317, 3324, 3326, 3503, 4102, 4109, 4111, 4112, 4701, 5102, 5108, 5311 to 5316, 5333 to 5335, 5347, 5504, 5514, 5516, 5521, 5545, 5550a, 5562, 5581, 5584, 5596, 5702, 5903, 5943, 6104, 6304, 6305, 6323, 6325, 7325, 7327, 7701, 7702, 8331, 8332, 8339, 8347, 8701, 8901, and 8906 of this title], shall take effect July 12, 1979, or the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 14, 1979], whichever is earlier.”
Atomic Energy Commission abolished and functions transferred by sections 5814 and 5841 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. See also Transfer of Functions notes set out under those sections.
Functions of President under subsec. (b) of this section delegated to Director of Office of Management and Budget, see Ex. Ord. No. 12152, Aug. 14, 1979, 44 F.R. 48143, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.
Virgin Islands Corporation established to have succession until June 30, 1969, unless sooner dissolved by Act of Congress, by act June 30, 1949, ch. 285, 63 Stat. 350, as amended (48 U.S.C. 1407 et seq.). Corporation terminated its program June 30, 1965, and dissolved July 1, 1966. Act June 30, 1949, was repealed by Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §308(e), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1710.
(a) Not later than the first Monday in February of any year following the year in which the term of the President commences under section 101 of title 3, the head of each agency shall make available on the public website of the agency a strategic plan and notify the President and Congress of its availability. Such plan shall contain—
(1) a comprehensive mission statement covering the major functions and operations of the agency;
(2) general goals and objectives, including outcome-oriented goals, for the major functions and operations of the agency;
(3) a description of how any goals and objectives contribute to the Federal Government priority goals required by section 1120(a) of title 31;
(4) a description of how the goals and objectives are to be achieved, including—
(A) a description of the operational processes, skills and technology, and the human, capital, information, and other resources required to achieve those goals and objectives; and
(B) a description of how the agency is working with other agencies to achieve its goals and objectives as well as relevant Federal Government priority goals;
(5) a description of how the goals and objectives incorporate views and suggestions obtained through congressional consultations required under subsection (d);
(6) a description of how the performance goals provided in the plan required by section 1115(a) of title 31, including the agency priority goals required by section 1120(b) of title 31, if applicable, contribute to the general goals and objectives in the strategic plan;
(7) an identification of those key factors external to the agency and beyond its control that could significantly affect the achievement of the general goals and objectives; and
(8) a description of the program evaluations used in establishing or revising general goals and objectives, with a schedule for future program evaluations to be conducted.
(b) The strategic plan shall cover a period of not less than 4 years following the fiscal year in which the plan is submitted. As needed, the head of the agency may make adjustments to the strategic plan to reflect significant changes in the environment in which the agency is operating, with appropriate notification of Congress.
(c) The performance plan required by section 1115(b) of title 31 shall be consistent with the agency's strategic plan. A performance plan may not be submitted for a fiscal year not covered by a current strategic plan under this section.
(d) When developing or making adjustments to a strategic plan, the agency shall consult periodically with the Congress, including majority and minority views from the appropriate authorizing, appropriations, and oversight committees, and shall solicit and consider the views and suggestions of those entities potentially affected by or interested in such a plan. The agency shall consult with the appropriate committees of Congress at least once every 2 years.
(e) The functions and activities of this section shall be considered to be inherently governmental functions. The drafting of strategic plans under this section shall be performed only by Federal employees.
(f) For purposes of this section the term “agency” means an Executive agency defined under section 105, but does not include the Central Intelligence Agency, the Government Accountability Office, the United States Postal Service, and the Postal Regulatory Commission.
(Added Pub. L. 111–352, §2, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3866.)
A prior section 306, added Pub. L. 103–62, §3, Aug. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 286; amended Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title IX, §902, Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 717; Pub. L. 108–271, §8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814; Pub. L. 109–435, title VI, §604(b), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3241, related to strategic plans, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 111–352, §2, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3866.