Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act
Sponsored By: Representative Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]
Passed House
Summary
Reassigns leadership and appointment authority across the Library of Congress, the Government Publishing Office, and the Copyright Office.
Show full summary
This bill would change how top officials are chosen and removed, move many copyright supervisory powers from the Librarian to the Register of Copyrights, and overhaul GPO personnel and printing roles during a multi-year transition.
- Library and agency leaders: The Librarian of Congress and the GPO Director would be selected through a congressional commission and majority votes of House and Senate leadership instead of Senate advice-and-consent, and they could be removed by that same majority. Deputies must be filled within 120 days and act as the head during absences.
- Copyright Office and creators: The Register of Copyrights would gain most supervisory and regulatory authority in Title 17, be appointed by the President with Senate advice after joint recommendations from four congressional committees, and set staffing including up to four Associate Registers. Actions from May 8, 2025 through enactment are ratified.
- GPO workforce and services: The GPO would join the Congressional Accountability Act, get a new Human Capital Management System effective 180 days after enactment, and have clarified authority to provide federal printing and publishing services. Transition rules allow budget transfers through Sept. 30, 2029 and require the Copyright Office Inspector General to certify safeguards before new authorities are used.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New Librarian selection and pay rules
When the Librarian job is open, committee leaders would recommend three people. House and Senate leaders would appoint or remove the Librarian by majority vote, based on fitness, not party. The Librarian would have to name a Deputy within 120 days or leadership would appoint one. The Deputy would act as Librarian during absences or a vacancy, and leaders could name an acting Librarian if needed. The Librarian would not be treated as a political appointee for certain pay rules starting the first pay period after enactment.
New oversight and leadership at Copyright Office
If enacted, this would create an independent Inspector General in the Copyright Office with audit and subpoena powers. The IG would be appointed by the Register, protected from interference, and could hire staff and certain agents. Some IG agents would get limited law‑enforcement powers after set training and eligibility checks. The President would appoint the Register for a 10‑year term with Senate approval after committee leaders recommend three candidates. The Register could appoint staff and up to four Associate Registers, and must consult the Librarian before rules that affect Library deposit rights.
New GPO leadership and backup rules
When the GPO Director job is open, committee leaders would recommend three people. House and Senate leaders would pick the Director by majority vote and could remove the Director. The Director would need to appoint a Deputy within 120 days or leadership would appoint one. The Deputy would supervise GPO buildings and act as Director during absences or a vacancy. Leaders could designate an acting Director with full authority if needed.
New hiring and workplace rules at GPO
The GPO would set up its own personnel system based on merit and fitness. It would ban prohibited personnel practices and political activity. The system would not use Title 5 competitive‑service rules but would keep executive‑branch hiring preferences. The Director would need public comment and Joint Committee on Printing approval before rules. This would start 180 days after enactment. GPO workers would be covered by the Congressional Accountability Act with the same workplace rights as other covered offices.
GPO can print for all agencies
The bill would let the Government Publishing Office do printing, binding, blank‑book work, and publishing for all branches. This would centralize printing authority in GPO. Agencies would be able to route jobs to GPO instead of private vendors. The bill would not set any public fees.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]
VA • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov