State
National Conference of State Legislatures (links to all state legislatures)
www.ncsl.org
The National Conference of State Legislatures is a bipartisan organization dedicated to serving the lawmakers and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. Some parts of the site are available to non-members, including a directory of Web sites for all state legislatures.
National Governors Association
www.nga.org
NGA is the only bipartisan national organization of, by, and for the nations' governors. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, the commonwealths of the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. NGA's Web site includes highlights of current key federal and state legislative issues.
State Search (clearinghouse for state government information)
www.nascio.org
StateSearch is a service of NASCIO-the National Association of Chief Information Officers-and is designed to serve as a topical clearinghouse to state government information on the Internet. You can search from among 32 categories covering all aspects of government operations and key government issues.
Federal
Thomas (US Congress)
thomas.loc.gov
Thomas, named for Thomas Jefferson, is operated by the U.S. Library of Congress to make federal information freely available to the Internet public. Thomas contains information about the legislative activity of the current Congress and Congressional committees, as well as the text of the Congressional Record and links to many more government offices and agencies.
Contacting the Congress
www.visi.com/juan/congress
This site maintains current e-mail and Web site addresses for the members of Congress, Congressional committees and subcommittees, and some other government agencies.
The White House
www.whitehouse.gov
Along with news and information about the inhabitants of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, this site includes a "Contact the White House" e-mail function and a link to FirstGov.gov, which provides "one-stop access to all online U.S. Federal Government resources."
Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov
The SBA's Web site contains lots of information regarding starting, financing and operating a small business, as well as about SBA programs and operations.
US Census Bureau (NAICS information)
www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html
News and information about the transition to the North American Industry Classification System.
Codes
ADA Home Page
www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
Operated by the U.S. Department of Justice, this site contains ADA regulations, information on certification, technical assistance and more.
First Source
www.firstsourceonl.com/codes/index.asp
This site contains a codes database, searchable by city/county or state, as well as a list of FAQs.
International Codes Council (ICC)
www.iccsafe.org
The ICC was established in 1994 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing a single set of comprehensive and coordinated national codes. ICC's Web site contains news and information about developments related to codes activity.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
www.nfpa.org
Established in 1896, NFPA serves as the world's leading advocate of fire prevention and is an authoritative source on public safety. NFPA's 300 codes and standards influence every building, process, service, design and installation in the United States, as well as many of those used in other countries. NFPA's Web site includes fact sheets on fire and safety issues as well as reports and information on fires of high technical or educational interest.
Environmental and Green Design
EPA Energy Star
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home.index
Information about the EPA's Energy Star and Green Lights programs to promote energy-efficient buildings.
Envirosense Consortium (indoor air quality)
www.envirosense.org
Envirosense is a consortium of companies who collectively offer solutions and strategies to address indoor air quality and related environmental issues. The Envirosense approach focuses on a "Total Systems" perspective which includes building systems, product systems and maintenance systems. Their Web site includes a newsletter and case studies.
Healthy House Institute
www.hhinst.com
The institute focuses on improving the interior environment, especially air quality, of residential homes. Their Web site has information, resources and links to related sites.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
www.usgbc.org
Formed in 1993, the USGBC consists of more than 500 international organizations, including manufacturers, environmental agencies, building and design professional, building owners and retailers, and financial industry leaders-all interested in accelerating the adoption of green building practices, technologies, policies and standards. USBBC Online, the council's Web site, includes manuals and handbooks, case studies, reports and other resources.
Health, Safety and Welfare
National Safety Council
www.nsc.org
The National Safety Council provides research, reports and statistics on injuries in the home and office.
Design Research
InformeDesign
www.informedesign.umn.edu
InformeDesign is a research and communication tool for designers with a searchable database on building type/design specialization, topic and occupants/user types.
Small Business
Small Business Legislative Council
www.sblc.org
The Small Business Legislative Council is an independent, permanent coalition of trade and professional associations who share a common concern for the future of small business. The purpose of SBLC is twofold: to consolidate the strength and maximize the influence of business on legislative and Federal policy issues of importance to the entire small business community; and secondly, to disseminate information on the impact of public policy on small business.
Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov
The SBA's Web site contains lots of information regarding starting, financing and operating a small business, as well as about SBA programs and operations.
Political Education
Project Vote Smart
www.vote-smart.org
Project Vote Smart is a national library of factual information on over 13,000 elected offices and candidates for public office. In addition, it maintains issue briefs on key issues.
Community Service
The Atlanta Accessibility Guide (ASID-GA)
www.shepherd.org
A community service project of the Shepherd Center, an Atlanta specialty hospital, and the Georgia Chapter of ASID, this guide is tailored to persons with disabilities who are visiting Atlanta, to help them easily find disability-specific services and to locate accessible sites to visit and enjoy.
Habitat for Humanity
www.habitat.org
Habit for Humanity works with those who need shelter to build decent, affordable housing. Their Web site has information on how to get involved