Which of the following applies to all administrative agencies?

The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) is a foundational statute that governs how federal administrative agencies propose and establish regulations. It lays out the protocols that agencies must follow in rulemaking, including the requirements for public notice, opportunity for comment, and the procedures for formal and informal adjudications. Because the APA establishes the framework for the operation of all federal administrative agencies, it applies universally to them.

In contrast, the Environmental Protection Agency is a specific agency focused on environmental protection, while the Small Business Administration caters specifically to small business matters. The American Bar Association is a professional organization for lawyers and does not have the regulatory authority or framework applicable to administrative agencies as a whole. Thus, the APA's role as a governing law illustrates why it is the correct response, as it encompasses all administrative agencies in the federal system.