The following is a quick reference source for superhuman activity in America, including important legislation and major agencies involved with super powered policy, research, and development.

B.E.I.N. : E.S.A. : LOS ALAMOS A.I. LABS : N.E.R.F. : PA.CO. TEAMS : THE SECRET SERVICE : THE US MILITARY SUPER FORCES

THE BAILY ACT : THE 28th. AMENDMENT : THE 29th. AMENDMENT

B.E.I.N.
Bureau for Extraterrestrial Immigration and Naturalization. A sub-branch of the regular INS, with the responsibility of granting Visas and Green Cards to extra-terrestrial or extra-dimensional beings wanting to stay in the U.S. This agency is known colloquially as "The Bean", and the identification cards they issue to resident alien beings are often referred to as "Bean Cards". Headquartered in Langley, Virginia.

E.S.A.
The Emergent Sentience Agency, a government agency that performs social services and administers tests for beings displaying sentience. They are a branch of the Department of Health and Human Services, headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. with a branch office in Los Alamos, New Mexico, at the site of the US Government A.I. Labs and a research facility at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts.

THE LOS ALAMOS A.I. LABS
One of the premiere Artifical Intelligence labs in the world, and a major development location for bionics and robotics for both military and civilian purposes. Many notable robotic and bionic super beings have originated here.

N.E.R.F.
The National Extraterrestrial Research Foundation, headquartered in Langley, Virginia on the grounds of NASA's research facility, with branch labs in Atlanta, Georgia and Groom Lake, Nevada. Tied closely with B.E.I.N. and the Military.

PA.CO. TEAMS
Standing for Paranormal Countermeasures, these special divisions of various civilian law enforcement S.W.A.T. or S.T.O.P. teams across the country are trained to deal with super powered threats. While relatively uncommon, such forces can be found in most major cities in the continental U.S. The largest and best funded PA.CO. teams have access to limited powered assist armor and advanced experimental weaponry.

THE SECRET SERVICE
In Washington D.C., a special team of Secret Service agents with super powers are maintained, referred to as Star A. Their numbers, powers, and identities are a closely guarded secret, even with in the ranks of the Service itself. It is surmised that one or more of these individuals accompanies the President and Vice President wherever they go.

US MILITARY SUPER FORCES
The Army's Hercules Team,Perseus Team, and Orpheus Team, The Marine Corp's Omega Squads, The Navy's SEAL Team Blue 7 and Argonauts, The Air Force's UCF Teams (a.k.a. The Aces), and the Coast Guard's S.A. Team are all examples of super powered forces developed and trained by the US Military. Much about these groups is classified, and they operate mostly around the globe and beyond.

THE BAILY ACT of 1954
An act requiring all super powered beings to register with the government and get issued a license, which functions largely like a carry and conceal license does for firearms. The Baily Act is most strictly enforced for beings with offensive powers that could harm people or damage property. The licensing process is strongly tied to the B.A.S.E. program, as applicants are offered the choice of joining B.A.S.E. or one of the Armed Forces Special Units, but none of those are compulsory. One of B.A.S.E.'s primary duties is policing super powered citizens for Baily Act violations. Using super-normal powers without this license can range from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the nature of the powers. Certian amendments were considered in the late 1980's, regarding restrictions on the travel of super powered beings across state lines, and an increase in the severity of penalties for unlicensed use of powers, verging on a Zero Tolerance measure, but these were stopped by the Supreme Court declaring them unconstitutional.Crackdowns on independent super crime fighters resulting from the revised legislation culminated in the Vigilantes conflict in 1989, with most independents being absorbed into B.A.S.E. later.

THE 28th. AMENDMENT (ratified 1973)
All beings proven to be free willed and sentient according to Congressionally defined standards shall be afforded the right to apply for American citizenship in the normal fashion.This amendment was sponsored by the state of New Mexico, site of the Olympus Project's
main laboratories, and endorsed by several members of The Crusaders in a very public and controversial campaign, mainly opposed by elements of the conservative right. It was one of the key points of agitation for the Whole Earth Squadron.

THE 29th. AMENDMENT (ratified 1975)
The sponsors, owners, or creators of emergent sentients shall not prevent them from applying for citizenship if sentience is proven.
This amendment arose out of the 1973 civil case Subject A89 vs. Geneticorp Labs.