The statutory provisions [35] relating to the reorganization of the USPTO became effective on March 29, 2000 [36] and includes redesignation of the USPTO as "an agency" of the United States within the Department of Commerce (as opposed to "an Office in the Department of Commerce" as was previously the case) and designation of the head thereof as "Under-Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office." There are to be separate Commissioners for Patents and for Trademarks. Additionally, Public Advisory Committees are to be formed for each of the patent and trademark operations of the USPTO whose purpose is to "review the policies, goals, performance, budget and user fees of the USPTO in their respective areas." As an agency, the USPTO is to be exempt from government-wide personnel ceilings and it is intended that it will operate without micromanagement from the Department of Commerce whose role is to be that of providing guidance in policy only.