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HR9342119th CongressWALLET

GPO Modernization Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

Passed House

Summary

Modernize and centralize public access to federal information. This bill would expand the Government Publishing Office's authority, create a National Collection to preserve United States public information, and move core constitutional reference materials to a digital‑first model.

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  • Families and the public: Guarantees free, permanent, no‑fee public access through depository libraries and an online system. It also requires privacy protections for users of depository services.
  • Depository libraries and local systems: Caps designations at no more than two libraries per Senator and similar limits per House area, and limits regional depositories to two per State. Libraries must keep physical copies at least five years, undergo regular assessments, and publicly report removals.
  • GPO operations, preservation, and publishing: Expands the Government Publishing Office's sale, pricing, procurement, and gift authorities and creates cost‑recovery rules for its Revolving Fund. It requires at least two long‑term stored copies of the Federal Register and phases the Constitution Annotated to digital‑first with pocket supplements after October 2026.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Free digital access and library updates

This bill would create Public Information Programs to collect, catalog, preserve, and share government information for free online. The Superintendent of Documents would run a no‑fee public catalog and a digital repository using library standards, protect user privacy, and post a yearly list of removals with reasons. House Members would be limited to two depository designations in their area and each Senator to two in their State; some libraries would be digital‑only. Depository libraries would report every two years and could be removed if they do not keep public access. Libraries served by a regional depository would be allowed to replace print with digital and discard print after five years if authorized. Unneeded government documents would be disposed of under rules set by the Superintendent.

Easier GPO contracts up to $350K

This bill would raise the simplified acquisition limit for GPO buys from $100,000 to $350,000. It would let GPO purchase publishing supplies and services, not just binding. The Director would be able to negotiate contracts when open advertising is impracticable and delegate that power. These steps would make it easier for small vendors to win mid‑size GPO work.

Backup printing for Federal Register

This bill would require at least two physical copies of every Federal Register issue to be printed and stored in separate places. During a continuity event, the Office of the Federal Register would be allowed to use an alternative way to publish until normal service returns. Prices for these materials would be set by the Administrative Committee without older general sale limits. If GPO publishes the Federal Register or the Code of Federal Regulations, costs would be charged to the GPO Revolving Fund and reimbursed by agencies.

Constitution Annotated moves online

This bill would move the Constitution Annotated to a digital‑first schedule. Digital pocket‑part updates would be prepared after the October 2026 Supreme Court term and after each later October term in odd‑numbered years that do not end in 1. A digital revised edition would be prepared after the October 2031 term and every ten terms after that. The digital editions would be posted on a public Library of Congress website. The rule that required hardbound printing would not apply after the October 2026 term.

Leave carryover for senior GPO staff

This bill would let senior‑level employees at the Government Publishing Office carry over unused annual leave. They would get the same carryover treatment as other listed federal positions.

Donations to GPO get tax treatment

This bill would let the GPO accept gifts and bequests. Money and sale proceeds from gifts would go into the GPO Revolving Fund for government use. Property given under this rule would be treated, for federal income, estate, and gift tax purposes, as a gift to the United States. Donors would face tax results based on that treatment.

Cost-plus prices for government books

This bill would set public sale prices for government books at the GPO’s cost plus a premium for sale and delivery. The Superintendent of Documents would be able to allow discounts. The Superintendent would set resale terms for book dealers and could name sales agents. Sales would no longer need the originating department head’s approval.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

OK • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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