As part of its efforts to identify various issues and problems, the federal government spends roughly $150 million each year to fund 700 nonstatutory federal advisory commissions. One such commission is the U.S. Board of Tea Experts, including a $68,000-a-year executive secretary position responsible for sampling cups of tea. There's also the Advisory Panel for Animal Learning and Behavior, the Advisory Panel for the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, and the Weather and Climate Coordinating Committee.

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