In their 2018 Annual Report, the Patent Public Advisory Committee recommended that the USPTO 1) proceed with fee adjustments and manage expenditures and collections to significantly increase operating reserve to $747 million equivalent to at least three months of operating requirements; 2) invest and modernize IT systems; 3) maintain and update current patent quality metrics so as to be fully transparent, enhance examiner search capabilities and track the costs of quality-related projects for community discussion; 4) publish a timeline for meeting guarantees of the AIPA of 1999 promoting USPTO accountability, oversight and improving USPTO perception to the community and public; 5) study whether jurisdiction of intellectual property for plants be solely within the USPTO and the with the Department of Agriculture; and 6) maintain independent control over management and operations of USPTO HR and not to divert user fees to the Dept. of Commerce’s Enterprise Service organization.