Commission vs. Committee: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023

A commission is a group with a specific mission, often regulatory or in the public interest, while a committee is a group of people appointed for a specific function, typically within a larger organization.

Key Differences

A commission is typically a formal group with the authority to perform a specific task or regulate a certain area, often established by legislation or governmental authority. A committee, however, is usually a subset of a larger organization tasked with deliberation, investigation, or decision-making regarding specific matters. Each line of every paragraph will distinctly address "commission" first and "committee" second, adhering to the structure of separating the explanation for both terms.

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Nov 08, 2023

Commissions are generally invested with broader powers for a defined task or public service and have a degree of autonomy in their decision-making processes. Committees are formed within organizations like legislatures, corporations, or non-profits and are meant to streamline and report on issues back to the larger group. Commissions often work on long-term goals, whereas committees may be temporary, existing only until their specific task is complete.

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Nov 08, 2023

The authority of a commission can include enforcement of regulations, making it a powerful entity with significant responsibilities and the ability to impose penalties. Committees, in contrast, usually have no such enforcement powers; their role is more advisory, to deliberate and make recommendations. The members of a commission are often experts or authorities in their field, whereas committee members are usually selected from the larger organization based on their interest or expertise in a topic.

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Nov 08, 2023

Commissions often have a more formal standing and independence, which can impact legislation, industry standards, or government policies. Committees usually work within the rules and structures of their parent organization and do not have as much independent sway over external entities. Commissions can be seen as entities with specific missions that often extend over long periods, while committees are typically focused on narrower objectives with shorter timeframes.

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Nov 08, 2023

Comparison Chart

Function

Regulatory or directive, with a specific mission.

Deliberative or advisory within a larger group.

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Authority

Broader autonomous powers, often enforceable.

Generally advisory with no independent authority.

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Duration

Often long-term or permanent.

Often temporary or task-specific.

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Membership

Members often appointed for expertise.

Members typically part of the parent organization.

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Impact

Can influence public policy or law.

Usually influences the organization’s decisions.

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Commission and Committee Definitions

Commission

A group tasked with a specific function by a government or organization.

The commission was established to oversee the financial market.

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Committee

A group of legislators appointed to consider the details of proposed legislation.

The bill is currently before the oversight committee.

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Commission

An instruction, command, or duty given to a person or group of people.

He was given a commission to paint the portrait of the mayor.

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Committee

A group selected to pass judgment on a particular matter.

The awards committee had a tough decision this year.

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Commission

A group of people officially charged with a particular function.

The human rights commission investigated the allegations.

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Committee

A group of people appointed for a specific function by a larger group.

The committee will review all applications by next Friday.

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Commission

The act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a particular task or duty.

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Committee

A person or group of persons elected or appointed to perform some service or function.

The budget committee is responsible for allocating funds.

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Commission

The authority so granted.

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Committee

An advisory body formed to discuss and advise on a particular subject.

The safety committee recommended new workplace guidelines.

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Commission

The matter or task so authorized

Investigation of fraud was their commission.

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Committee

A group of people officially delegated to perform a function, such as investigating, considering, reporting, or acting on a matter. See Usage Note at collective noun.

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Commission

A document conferring such authorization.

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Committee

(Archaic) A person to whom a trust or charge is committed.

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Commission

A public board or administrative body

The Federal Trade Commission investigates false advertising.

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Committee

A body of one or more persons convened for the accomplishment of some specific purpose, typically with formal protocols.

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Commission

Often Commission A ruling council within the Mafia that adjudicates family disputes and regulates family activities.

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Committee

(archaic) A guardian; someone in charge of another person deemed to be unable to look after themself.

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Commission

The act of committing or perpetrating

The commission of a crime.

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Committee

One or more persons elected or appointed, to whom any matter or business is referred, either by a legislative body, or by a court, or by any collective body of men acting together.

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Commission

A fee or percentage allowed to a sales representative or an agent for services rendered.

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Committee

One to whom the charge of the person or estate of another, as of a lunatic, is committed by suitable authority; a guardian.

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Commission

An official document issued by a government, conferring on the recipient the rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces.

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Committee

A special group delegated to consider some matter;

A committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours

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Commission

The rank and powers so conferred.

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Committee

A self-constituted organization to promote something

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Commission

To grant a military commission to.

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Commission

To grant authority for (something to be made or done); place an order for

Commission a new symphony for the festival.

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Commission

To authorize or engage (someone to do something)

Commission an architect to design a building.

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Commission

To put (a ship) into active service.

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Commission

A sending or mission (to do or accomplish something).

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Commission

An official charge or authority to do something, often used of military officers.

David received his commission after graduating from West Point.

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Commission

The thing to be done as agent for another.

I have three commissions for the city.

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Commission

A body or group of people, officially tasked with carrying out a particular function.

The European Commission

The Electoral Commission

The Federal Communications Commission

The company's sexual harassment commission made sure that every employee completed the on-line course.

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Oct 19, 2023

Commission

A fee charged by an agent or broker for carrying out a transaction.

A reseller's commission

The real-estate broker charged a four percent commission for their knowledge on bidding for commercial properties; for their intellectual perspective on making a formal offer and the strategy to obtain a mutually satisfying deal with the seller in favour of the buyer.

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Commission

The act of committing (e.g. a crime or error).

The commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism

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Commission

(transitive) To send or officially charge someone or some group to do something.

James Bond was commissioned with recovering the secret documents.

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Commission

(transitive) To place an order for (often a piece of art).

He commissioned a replica of the Mona Lisa for his living room, but the painter gave up after six months.

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Commission

To put into active service.

The aircraft carrier was commissioned in 1944, during WWII.

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Commission

The act of committing, doing, or performing; the act of perpetrating.

Every commission of sin introduces into the soul a certain degree of hardness.

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Commission

The act of intrusting; a charge; instructions as to how a trust shall be executed.

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Commission

The duty or employment intrusted to any person or persons; a trust; a charge.

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Commission

A formal written warrant or authority, granting certain powers or privileges and authorizing or commanding the performance of certain duties.

Let him see our commission.

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Commission

A certificate conferring military or naval rank and authority; as, a colonel's commission.

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Commission

A company of persons joined in the performance of some duty or the execution of some trust; as, the interstate commerce commission.

A commission was at once appointed to examine into the matter.

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Oct 19, 2023

Commission

The acting under authority of, or on account of, another.

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Commission

To give a commission to; to furnish with a commission; to empower or authorize; as, to commission persons to perform certain acts; to commission an officer.

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Commission

To send out with a charge or commission.

A chosen bandHe first commissions to the Latian land.

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Commission

A special group delegated to consider some matter;

A committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours

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Commission

A fee for services rendered based on a percentage of an amount received or collected or agreed to be paid (as distinguished from a salary);

He works on commission

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Commission

The act of granting authority to undertake certain functions

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Commission

The state of being in good working order and ready for operation;

Put the ships into commission

The motor was out of commission

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Commission

A group of representatives or delegates

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Commission

A formal statement of a command or injunction to do something;

The judge's charge to the jury

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Commission

An official document issued by a government and conferring on the recipient the rank of an officer in the armed forces

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Commission

The act of committing a crime

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Commission

A special assignment that is given to a person or group;

A confidential mission to London

His charge was deliver a message

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Commission

Put into commission; equip for service; of ships

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Commission

Place an order for

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Commission

Charge with a task

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Commission

The act of committing or entrusting a person, group, etc., with supervisory power or authority.

She received her commission in the military yesterday.

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Commission

The state of being in service or employment.

The ship was in commission for 20 years before its retirement.

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Repeatedly Asked Queries

Are committee roles permanent?

No, committee roles are often temporary, ending with the completion of their task.

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What does a committee do?

A committee is a body within an organization that deliberates on specific matters.

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How are commission members selected?

Commission members are typically appointed based on their expertise or by authority.

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How often do committees meet?

Meeting frequency varies based on the organization's needs and the committee’s function.

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Can a commission create laws?

Some commissions have regulatory powers, which can include creating rules within their jurisdiction.

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What authority does a committee have?

Committees typically have advisory authority within their parent organization.

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Can anyone be a member of a committee?

Committee membership usually requires association with the parent organization.

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What is a commission?

A commission is a group with specific responsibilities, often regulatory, established by legislation or authority.

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Is a commission part of the government?

Commissions can be government entities or part of private organizations.

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Do commissions report to someone?

Commissions typically report to a governmental body or the entity that established them.

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What makes a committee effective?

Effective committees have clear objectives, committed members, and organized procedures.

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Do committees have decision-making power?

They make recommendations, but their parent organization usually has the final decision-making power.

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How do committees impact an organization?

They help streamline processes and provide specialized insight into organizational decisions.

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Can committee members be removed?

Yes, members can typically be removed or replaced by the appointing authority.

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Are commissions paid positions?

It depends; some commissions are salaried, while others are voluntary.

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What kind of issues do commissions handle?

Commissions often handle issues of public interest, like utilities, human rights, or financial oversight.

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Are commission meetings open to the public?

It varies; some commission meetings are public, while others may be closed due to confidentiality.

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Can commissions enforce their decisions?

Some commissions have enforcement authority within their regulatory framework.

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What's the difference between a commission and a board?

Commissions are usually focused on specific tasks, while boards have a broader governance role.

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How is a committee formed?

Committees are formed by the governing body of an organization to address specific tasks.

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Nov 08, 2023

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About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.