Less Bureaucracy, Better International Foreign Gift Transparency Act
Sponsored By: Representative Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5]
In Committee
Summary
This bill would move responsibility for disclosure of foreign gifts and related contracts in higher education to the Department of State, centralizing oversight of foreign gift reporting. It would shift functions, staff, records, and related funds from the Department of Education to the Department of State and set rules for a managed transition.
Show full summary
- Colleges and universities would report foreign gifts and contracts to the Department of State instead of the Department of Education, changing which federal office manages those disclosures and records.
- The Department of State would receive the transferred duties plus personnel, assets, liabilities, contracts, records, and unexpended funds needed for the function, and could delegate those duties within the department.
- The Office of Management and Budget would oversee the transfer to prevent a net increase in federal full-time equivalent employees and to certify compliance, while legal actions and existing records tied to the function would continue uninterrupted.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Foreign gift reporting moves to State
If enacted, this bill would move college and university foreign gift and contract reporting duties from the Department of Education to the Department of State. The main transfer would take effect six months after enactment, though transfers may begin on the date of enactment. The early start would not include the transition authority to use Department of Education personnel, assets, and funds under section 9. The Secretary of State would gain the same authorities, records, contracts, liabilities, and unspent funds tied to these duties. Transferred funds must be used only for their originally authorized purposes and remain subject to 31 U.S.C. 1531. The Office of Management and Budget would have to certify there is no net increase in federal full-time employees and notify specified congressional committees on the effective date. Existing legal actions and orders about these duties would generally continue, with the Department of State substituted where appropriate. The Secretary of State could delegate these duties but would keep ultimate responsibility for their administration.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5]
WA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]
OH • R
Sponsored 8/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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