What is the primary purpose of regulatory commissions in the government?

Regulatory commissions in government primarily serve to protect public interest by overseeing and regulating specific industries and practices. Their roles often involve enforcing rules and standards that ensure safety, fairness, and transparency in areas like food safety, environmental protection, and financial markets. By monitoring compliance and addressing public concerns about potentially harmful practices or abuses, these commissions help maintain consumer trust and ensure that businesses operate ethically within their respective fields.

The other choices focus on different governmental functions. Developing new government policies is typically the role of legislative bodies rather than regulatory commissions. Managing foreign relations is a function of the executive branch, specifically the Department of State and other related agencies. Conducting elections falls under the jurisdiction of election boards or commissions, which focus on maintaining the integrity and fairness of electoral processes, rather than regulating industries or public interests.