44 USC 2904 – General responsibilities for records management
(a) The Archivist shall provide guidance and assistance to Federal agencies with respect to ensuring—
(1) economical and effective records management;
(2) adequate and proper documentation of the policies and transactions of the Federal Government; and
(3) proper records disposition.
Terms Used In 44 USC 2904
- Archivist: means the Archivist of the United States. See 44 USC 2901
- National Archives of the United States: means those official records which have been determined by the Archivist of the United States to have sufficient historical or other value to warrant their continued preservation by the Federal Government, and which have been accepted by the Archivist for deposit in the Archivist's custody. See 44 USC 2901
- Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
- records: has the meaning given it by section 3301 of this title. See 44 USC 2901
- records disposition: means any activity with respect to&mdash. See 44 USC 2901
- records management: means the planning, controlling, directing, organizing, training, promoting, and other managerial activities involved with respect to records creation, records maintenance and use, and records disposition in order to achieve adequate and proper documentation of the policies and transactions of the Federal Government and effective and economical management of agency operations. See 44 USC 2901
(b) The Administrator shall provide guidance and assistance to Federal agencies to ensure economical and effective processing of mail by Federal agencies.
(c) In carrying out the responsibilities under subsection (a), the Archivist shall have the responsibility—
(1) to promulgate standards, procedures, and guidelines with respect to records management and the conduct of records management studies;
(2) to conduct research with respect to the improvement of records management practices and programs;
(3) to collect and disseminate information on training programs, technological developments, and other activities relating to records management;
(4) to establish such interagency committees and boards as may be necessary to provide an exchange of information among Federal agencies with respect to records management;
(5) to direct the continuing attention of Federal agencies and the Congress on the need for adequate policies governing records management;
(6) to conduct records management studies and, in the Archivist’s discretion, designate the heads of executive agencies to conduct records management studies with respect to establishing systems and techniques designed to save time and effort in records management;
(7) to conduct inspections or surveys of the records and the records management programs and practices within and between Federal agencies;
(8) to report to the appropriate oversight and appropriations committees of the Congress and to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in January of each year and at such other times as the Archivist deems desirable—
(A) on the results of activities conducted pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (7) of this section,
(B) on evaluations of responses by Federal agencies to any recommendations resulting from inspections or studies conducted under paragraphs (6) and (7) of this section, and
(C) to the extent practicable, estimates of costs to the Federal Government resulting from the failure of agencies to implement such recommendations.
(d) The Archivist shall promulgate regulations requiring all Federal agencies to transfer all digital or electronic records to the National Archives of the United States in digital or electronic form to the greatest extent possible.
(e) The Administrator, in carrying out subsection (b), shall have the responsibility to promote economy and efficiency in the selection and utilization of space, staff, equipment, and supplies for processing mail at Federal facilities.