Legal Definitions - ACUS

ACUS stands for the Administrative Conference of the United States.

ACUS is an independent federal agency that studies the procedures and processes used by other federal agencies to administer laws and programs. Its primary mission is to recommend improvements to these administrative processes, aiming to make them more efficient, fair, and transparent, and to enhance public participation.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of ACUS:

• Imagine a federal agency is developing new regulations for the safe operation of autonomous vehicles. ACUS might conduct research on how the agency gathers public comments and feedback during this rulemaking process. Based on its findings, ACUS could recommend strategies to make it easier for individuals, small businesses, and consumer groups to understand and effectively participate in shaping these important new rules, perhaps by suggesting clearer online portals or simplified language in proposed regulations.

  This example demonstrates ACUS's role in improving the fairness and accessibility of public participation in federal agency rulemaking.

• Consider a federal agency responsible for processing applications for a new type of small business loan program. If the application process is overly complex, leading to long delays and confusion for applicants, ACUS could study the agency's procedures. It might then recommend best practices for streamlining the application forms, improving online submission systems, or providing clearer guidance documents to ensure that eligible businesses can access funds efficiently and fairly.

  This illustrates ACUS's focus on enhancing the efficiency and fairness of administrative processes that directly impact the public.

• Suppose a federal agency is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to help review large volumes of environmental impact statements. ACUS might investigate the legal and ethical implications of using AI in such a critical administrative function. It could then issue recommendations on how the agency can implement AI tools while ensuring transparency, maintaining human oversight, protecting data privacy, and upholding due process for all stakeholders involved.

  This example highlights ACUS's function in ensuring that federal agencies adopt new technologies in a manner that upholds legal principles, fairness, and public trust.