William D. Allen IV

Serves as the Director of the Legislative and Regulatory Review Staff which has responsibility for the overall coordination of the agency’s legislative and regulatory review activities that are governed by over 50 separate statutes, as well as the agency’s compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Paperwork Reduction Act, and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.

Supervises a staff of ten employees.

Maintains expert knowledge of agency programs and policies, functions, client organizations, pertinent legislation, and regulations.

Serves as a principle advisor to the agency on all legislative and Congressional activities including bills, resolutions, appropriations, hearings, and briefings.

Participates in the formulation and development of the agency’s annual legislative program (includes review and analysis of recommendations submitted by the various program areas and offices to ensure consistency with agency policies, programs, and procedures and preparation of supporting materials).

Responds to requests from Congressional offices for information pertaining to agency programs and policies. Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with staff in Congressional offices and on Congressional committees.

Provides daily monitoring of Congressional activities (including the budget and appropriations processes) to ensure that the agency is aware of any legislation or Congressional activity that will directly or indirectly impact program areas and keeps appropriate officials apprised on a timely basis.

Reviews and prepares research and analysis (policy and legal) of often complex legislative items affecting agency programs, as well as noteworthy developments in Committees, on the floor of Congress, and policy developments in the Executive Departments. Advises agency leadership regarding the impact of proposed legislation and provided analyses of complex legislation. Drafts numerous legislative proposals and ensured legal sufficiency.

Attends and /or monitors Congressional hearings, meetings, and press conferences and provides summaries of such meetings to appropriate agency officials.

Drafts testimony, develops comprehensive briefing materials, and participates in briefing sessions for agency officials prior to Congressional hearings and meetings.

Provided technical assistance to Congressional staff on proposed legislative language.

Served as the Agency’s primary contact for the 2008, 2014, 2018, and 2025 Farm Bills.

Served as the agency's’ Acting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) Officer on numerous occasions over the past 15 years. This required a detailed knowledge of these Acts and the responsibilities of the FOIA/PA officer, as well as maintaining constant contact with AMS program areas in order to insure that FOIA requests were handled properly and in a timely manner.

Performs numerous regulatory review duties including: formation of the Agency's regulatory agenda, expedited clearance of regulations, and review of all agency regulatory actions.