Introduction
Many agencies have a judicial-like function through decisions, opinions, and orders issued by administrative law judges or panels. Most--but not all--of these decisions are published, but no comprehensive list currently exists.
This part of the guide identifies some sources for administrative decisions issued by federal agencies.
Online Sources
Agency decisions are available on free and commercial online sources.
Free Internet Sources
- Administrative Decisions [University of Virginia Library]Links to and describes federal agency websites containing administrative decisions and related administrative material.
- GAO Reports and Comptroller General Decisions [FDsys]Covers 1991 to 2008.
Commercial Sources
- Administrative Decisions & Guidance [Westlaw]Federal and state administrative decisions and interpretive material. Coverage dates vary by source.
- Administrative Materials [Lexis Advance]Contains decisions from many agencies, boards, commissions, and departments. Coverage varies by source.
- U.S. Federal Agency Documents, Decisions, and Appeals [HeinOnline]Contains decisions many agencies, boards, commissions, and departments, including both current and no longer existing agencies. Coverage dates vary by source.
Print Sources
The Law Library has printed series of federal agency decisions, many published by the government and some published commercially.
The following titles are just examples.
Agriculture Decisions: Decisions of the Secretary of Agriculture under the Regulatory Laws Administered in the U.S. Department of AgricultureCall Number: Compact Stacks (KF1683 .A55)Publication Date: 1942 to date
Decisions and Orders of the National Labor Relations BoardCall Number: Compact Stacks (KF3372 .A553)Publication Date: 1936 to date
Federal Trade Commission DecisionsCall Number: Compact Stacks (KF1611 .A2)Publication Date: 1915 to date
Surface Transportation Board Reports: DecisionsCall Number: Compact Stacks (KF2172.A2 I581)Publication Date: 1996 to 2004
Atomic Energy Commission Reports: Opinions and Decisions of the Atomic Energy Commission with Selected OrdersCall Number: Compact Stacks (KF2138.1 .A55)Publication Date: 1962 to 1975
Guides
Because no comprehensive list of federal administrative agency decisions is currently available, the following sources might help you identify a collection by agency.
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (20th ed.) by Call Number: Reference Area & Reference Office (KF245 .B58 2015)Publication Date: 2015
How to Find the Law by ISBN: 0314533184Publication Date: 1989Appendix D lists commercial and official titles of major agency decision publications.
Veronica Maclay, Selected Sources of United States Agency Decisions, 16 Government Publications Review 271-301 (1989).
Contains a thorough list of print sources available in 1989.