What year was the Administrative Procedure Act adopted?

The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) was adopted in 1946, marking a significant development in the regulation of federal administrative agencies. This legislation was established to create a framework for the operation of administrative agencies, outlining procedures for rulemaking, adjudication, and the issuance of guidance documents. The APA aimed to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in administrative processes, thereby providing a degree of protection for the public against arbitrary or unchecked agency actions.

Understanding the historical context of the APA is crucial, as it emerged in a post-World War II era when there was a growing need for structured administrative processes in response to increasing federal agency activity. The act has since been foundational in shaping the interaction between governmental agencies, the public, and the judicial system, establishing the baseline for how agencies operate and how citizens can challenge their decisions.

Subsequent years, such as 1964 and 1976, may have seen amendments or additional legislation influencing administrative law, but the establishment of the APA itself occurred in 1946, making it the cornerstone of administrative procedure in the United States.