Title 44Public Printing and DocumentsRelease 119-73

§3901 Purpose and establishment of the Office of Inspector General

Title 44 › Chapter CHAPTER 39— - GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE: OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL › § 3901

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Creates an independent office to audit and investigate the Government Publishing Office, improve economy and efficiency, and report problems to its Director and Congress.

Full Legal Text

Title 44, §3901

Public Printing and Documents — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In order to create an independent and objective office—
(1)to conduct and supervise audits and investigations relating to the Government Publishing Office;
(2)to provide leadership and coordination and recommend policies to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness; and
(3)to provide a means of keeping the Director of the Government Publishing Office and the Congress fully and currently informed about problems and deficiencies relating to the administration and operations of the Government Publishing Office;

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2014—Par. (3). Pub. L. 113–235, § 1301(c)(1), substituted “Director of the Government Publishing Office” for “Public Printer”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

“Government Publishing Office” substituted for “Government Printing Office” in pars. (1) and (3) and concluding provisions on authority of section 1301(b) of Pub. L. 113–235, set out as a note preceding section 301 of this title.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 100–504, title II, § 206, Oct. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 2532, provided that: “The provisions of this title and the

Amendments

made by this title [enacting this chapter and provisions set out as notes under section 101 and 3901 of this title] shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this title [Oct. 18, 1988].”

Short Title

For

Short Title

of title II of Pub. L. 100–504, which enacted this chapter, as the “Government Printing Office Inspector General Act of 1988”, see section 201 of Pub. L. 100–504, set out as a

Short Title

of 1988 Amendment note under section 101 of this title. Transfer of Office Pub. L. 100–504, title II, § 203, Oct. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 2531 transferred the office of the Government Printing Office referred to as the “Office of Inspector General”, and the functions, powers, duties, and certain personnel of that office, to the Office of Inspector General in the Government Printing Office. Payment Authority Subject to Appropriations Pub. L. 100–504, title II, § 205, Oct. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 2531, provided that: “Any authority to make payments under this title [enacting this chapter and provisions set out as notes under section 101 and 3901 of this title] shall be effective only to such extent as provided in appropriations Acts.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

44 U.S.C. § 3901

Title 44Public Printing and Documents

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73