No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5245 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5245
To provide for the management authorities of the Department of State.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 10, 2025
Mr. Lawler introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the
Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the management authorities of the Department of State.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(2) the term ``consular services'' means--
(A) the adjudication and issuance of visas;
(B) the performance of notarial and other
legalization functions; the adjudication of passport
applications; the adjudication of nationality;
(C) the issuance of citizenship documentation; and
(D) the protection and welfare of United States
citizens abroad as permitted by law;
(3) the term ``Department'' means the Department of State;
and
(4) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of State.
TITLE II--MANAGEMENT
Subtitle A--Under Secretary for Management
SEC. 201. UNDER SECRETARY FOR MANAGEMENT.
(a) Establishment.--There shall be in the Department an Under
Secretary of State for Management who shall be responsible to the
Secretary for matters pertaining to the management and administration
of the Department, including management integration and transformation
in support of foreign operations and programs, and such other related
duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Management shall
maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters
pertaining to the management, development, and administration of the
Department in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as
appropriate--
(1) acquisitions and asset management;
(2) human resources and personnel management;
(3) matters related to the clinical, occupational, and
mental health programs of the Department;
(4) information technology and communications systems,
including policies and directives to achieve and maintain
interoperable communications among the components of the
Department;
(5) domestic and overseas facilities, property, equipment,
vehicle fleets, and other material resources;
(6) security for personnel, information technology and
communications systems, facilities, property, equipment, and
other material resources; and
(7) consular affairs and services.
(c) Protection of Historic and Artistic Furnishings of Reception
Areas of the Harry S. Truman Federal Building.--
(1) In general.--The Under Secretary for Management shall
administer the historic and artistic articles of furniture,
fixtures, and decorative objects of the reception areas of the
Department by such means and measures as conform to the
purposes of the reception areas, which include conserving those
articles, fixtures, and objects and providing for their
enjoyment in such manner and by such means as will leave them
for the use of the American people. Nothing shall be done under
this paragraph which conflicts with the administration of the
Department or with the use of the reception areas for official
purposes of the United States Government.
(2) Disposition of historic and artistic items.--
(A) Items covered.--Articles of furniture,
fixtures, and decorative objects of the reception areas
(and similar articles, fixtures, and objects acquired
by the Secretary), when declared by the Secretary to be
of historic or artistic interest, shall thereafter be
considered to be the property of the Secretary in the
Secretary's official capacity and shall be subject to
disposition solely in accordance with this paragraph.
(B) Sale or trade.--Whenever the Under Secretary
for Management determines that--
(i) any item described in subparagraph (A)
is no longer needed for use or display in the
reception areas, or
(ii) in order to upgrade the reception
areas, a better use of that article would be
its sale or exchange,
the Under Secretary may, with the advice and
concurrence of the Secretary and Director of the
National Gallery of Art, sell the item at fair market
value or trade it, without regard to the requirements
of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act
of 1949. The proceeds of any such sale may be credited
to the unconditional gift account of the Department,
and items obtained in trade shall be the property of
the Secretary under this paragraph.
(C) Smithsonian institution.--The Under Secretary
for Management may also lend items described in
subparagraph (A), when not needed for use or display in
the reception areas, to the Smithsonian Institution or
a similar institution for care, repair, study, storage,
or exhibition.
(3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``reception
areas'' means the areas of the Harry S. Truman Federal
Building, located at 2201 C Street, Northwest, Washington,
District of Columbia, known as the Diplomatic Reception Rooms
(eighth floor), the Secretary's offices (seventh floor), the
Deputy Secretary of State's offices (seventh floor), and the
seventh floor reception area.
SEC. 202. OFFICE OF MEDICAL SERVICES.
There shall be in the Department a Chief Medical Officer, to be
appointed by the Secretary, who shall lead the Office of Medical
Services and shall be responsible to the Under Secretary for Management
for matters pertaining to the clinical and mental health programs of
the Department, in accordance with the needs of the Department and at
the direction of the Secretary, and all related activities as
prescribed in section 904 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C.
4048).
SEC. 203. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary under
section 131, the Under Secretary for Management shall receive the funds
necessary to fulfill the Under Secretary's responsibilities for fiscal
years 2026 and 2027.
Subtitle B--Administration
SEC. 211. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department an
Assistant Secretary for Administration who shall be responsible to the
Under Secretary for Management for matters pertaining to enterprise
logistics, knowledge management, acquisition, and other operational
services worldwide in support of United States foreign policy, and such
other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary for Administration
shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters
pertaining to administrative matters of the Department in the conduct
of foreign policy, including, as appropriate--
(1) providing global logistics support for the people and
programs of United States diplomacy;
(2) managing the Department's domestic safety, occupational
health, and multimedia services;
(3) developing and coordinating policies, regulations,
standards, and procedures to administer government-wide
allowances;
(4) providing planning, training, and exercises of
emergency management to ensure preparedness for the
Department's leadership and workforce to respond to and recover
from all domestic hazards affecting the Department and to
ensure the continuation of the Department's mission in
conjunction with United States partners;
(5) overseeing global publishing by providing design,
print, and copier management services to the Department
domestically and overseas;
(6) advancing United States security and prosperity by
providing foreign language support for the Department, the
Executive Office of the President, and all other Federal
entities;
(7) promoting quality educational opportunities at the
elementary and secondary level for dependents of United States
citizens carrying out the programs of the United States
Government abroad;
(8) ensuring the Department safeguards privacy and promotes
transparency through compliance, advice, training,
collaboration and records management; and
(9) performing such other duties as the Under Secretary for
Management may from time to time designate.
SEC. 212. BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of
Administration, which shall perform such functions related to support
programs for the Department and United States embassies and consulates,
including enterprise logistics, knowledge management, and other
worldwide operational services, as the Under Secretary for Management
may prescribe.
(b) Head.--The Assistant Secretary for Administration shall be at
the head of the Bureau of Administration.
(c) Directorates.--The Secretary may establish in the Bureau of
Administration directorates to perform relevant functions such as--
(1) Global Operations; and
(2) Shared Knowledge Services.
SEC. 213. OFFICE OF THE HISTORIAN.
There shall be in the Bureau of Administration a Historian of the
Department of State, who shall lead the Office of the Historian.
SEC. 214. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary
for Management under section 202, the Assistant Secretary for
Administration shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau
functions and the Assistant Secretary's responsibilities for fiscal
years 2026 and 2027.
Subtitle C--Diplomatic Technology
SEC. 221. CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER FOR DIPLOMATIC TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department a
Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology who shall be
responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for matters
pertaining to the information technology, cybersecurity workforce, and
digital infrastructure of the Department, and such other related duties
as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the Chief Information Officer for
Diplomatic Technology shall maintain continuous observation and
coordination of all matters pertaining to diplomatic technology in the
conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate--
(1) enterprise planning and governance;
(2) cybersecurity and risk management;
(3) technology operations and innovation;
(4) customer experience; and
(5) such other related duties as the Under Secretary for
Management may from time to time designate.
SEC. 222. BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of
Diplomatic Technology, which shall perform such functions related to
the planning, acquisition, governance, security, integration,
modernization, and oversight of the Department's information
technology, systems, and communications infrastructure, as the Under
Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head.--The Chief Information Officer shall be the head of the
Bureau of Diplomatic Technology.
SEC. 223. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary
for Management under section 202, the Chief Information Officer for
Diplomatic Technology shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill
Bureau functions and the Chief Information Officer's responsibilities
for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Subtitle D--Consular Affairs
SEC. 231. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CONSULAR AFFAIRS RESPONSIBILITIES.
The Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs shall maintain
continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to
consular functions in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as
appropriate--
(1) formulating and implementing policy relating to
immigration, provision of consular services, and determination
of United States citizenship;
(2) developing, revising, implementing, and directing
policies, procedures, and regulations relating to functions of
the Bureau of Consular Affairs, including--
(A) the adjudication and issuance of passports,
visas, and related services;
(B) the protection and welfare of United States
citizens and interests abroad;
(C) the provision of third-country representation;
and
(D) the determination of United States citizenship
or nationality;
(3) providing guidance and recommendations on related
consular issues to Department principals and United States
embassies and consulates;
(4) ensuring responsive and efficient provision of consular
services in the United States and overseas;
(5) overseeing and directing the Passport Office and Visa
Office;
(6) maintaining the integrity and security of official
consular documentation issued by the Department, in
collaboration with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security; and
(7) performing such other related duties as the Under
Secretary for Management may from time to time designate.
SEC. 232. BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of
Consular Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to
consular functions performed by United States consular officers, as the
Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head.--The Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs shall be
the head of the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
SEC. 233. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary
for Management under section 202, the Assistant Secretary for Consular
Affairs shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau functions
and the Assistant Secretary's responsibilities for fiscal years 2026
and 2027.
SEC. 234. CLOSING OF CONSULAR AND DIPLOMATIC POSTS ABROAD.
(a) Prohibited Uses of Funds.--Except as provided in subsection (d)
or in accordance with the procedures in subsections (b) and (c)--
(1) no funds authorized to be appropriated to the
Department shall be available to pay any expense related to the
closing of any United States consular or diplomatic post
abroad; and
(2) no funds authorized to be appropriated to the
Department may be used to pay for any expense related to the
Bureau of Administration or to carrying out any of its
functions if any United States consular or diplomatic post is
closed.
(b) Post-Closing Notification.--Not less than 45 days before the
closing of any United States consular or diplomatic post abroad, the
Under Secretary for Management, in consultation with the Secretary,
shall notify the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
(c) Reprogramming Treatment.--Amounts made available to pay any
expense related to the closing of a United States consular or
diplomatic post abroad shall be treated as a reprogramming of funds
under section 34 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956
(22 U.S.C. 2706) and shall not be available for obligation or
expenditure except in compliance with the procedures applicable to such
reprogramming.
(d) Exceptions.--The provisions of this section do not apply with
respect to--
(1) any post closed because of a break or downgrading of
diplomatic relations between the United States and the country
in which the post is located; or
(2) any post closed because there is a real and present
threat to United States diplomatic or consular personnel in the
city where the post is located, and a travel advisory warning
against travel by United States citizens to that city has been
issued by the Department.
(e) Definition.--As used in this section, the term ``consular or
diplomatic post'' does not include a post to which only personnel of
agencies other than the Department are assigned.
SEC. 235. CONSULAR FEES.
(a) In General.--The second sentence of section 1(b)(1) of the
Passport Act of June 4, 1920 (22 U.S.C. 214(b)(1)) shall be applied
through fiscal years 2026 and 2027 by substituting ``the costs of
providing consular services'' for ``such costs''.
(b) Use of Passport and Immigrant Visa Surcharges.--Notwithstanding
section 6(b) of the Department of State Authorities Act of 2006 (Public
Law 109--472; 120 Stat. 3556), during fiscal years 2026 and 2027,
passport and immigrant visa surcharges collected in any fiscal year
pursuant to the fourth paragraph under the heading ``Diplomatic and
Consular Programs'' in the Department of State and Related Agency
Appropriations Act, 2005 (title IV of division B of Public Law 108-447;
8 U.S.C. 1714) may be obligated and expended for the costs of providing
consular services: Provided, That such funds should be prioritized for
United States citizen services: Provided further, That not later than
90 days after the expiration of this authority, the Secretary shall
provide a report to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives
detailing the specific expenditures made pursuant to this authority:
Provided further, That the amount provided by this section is
designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
(c) Use of Available Discretionary Amounts and Unobligated
Balances.--Discretionary amounts made available to the Department of
State under the heading ``Administration of Foreign Affairs'' of Acts
making appropriations for National Security, Department of State, and
Related Programs for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and discretionary
unobligated balances under such heading from Acts making such
appropriations for prior fiscal years, may be transferred to the
Consular and Border Security Programs account if the Secretary
determines and reports to the Committee on Appropriations and the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on
Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives that to do so is necessary to sustain consular
operations, following consultation with such Committees: Provided, That
such transfer authority is in addition to any transfer authority
otherwise available in this Act and under any other provision of law:
Provided further, That no amounts may be transferred from amounts
designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent
resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985.
(d) Use of Fraud Prevention and Detection Account Fees.--In
addition to the uses permitted pursuant to section 286(v)(2)(A) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(v)(2)(A)), for fiscal
years 2026 and 2027, the Secretary may also use fees deposited into the
Fraud Prevention and Detection Account for the costs of providing
consular services.
(e) Emergency Requirement.--Amounts provided pursuant to subsection
(b) that were previously designated by the Congress as an emergency
requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985 or a concurrent resolution on the budget are
designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985.
SEC. 236. EXTENSION OF SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITY FOR PASSPORT SERVICES.
Section 6101 of the Department of State Authorization Act of 2023
(22 U.S.C. 211a note) is amended by striking ``3-year period'' and
inserting ``5-year period''.
SEC. 237. COORDINATION WITH OTHER FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.
(a) Authority To Access Information.--The Bureau of Consular
Affairs of the Department is hereby authorized to access, obtain, and
use information maintained by any Federal department or agency that is
relevant to the adjudication of applications for United States
passports or visas, for the purpose of verifying applicant eligibility,
detecting fraud, identifying national security or law enforcement
concerns, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
(b) Interagency Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into memoranda
of understanding or other agreements with the heads of Federal
departments and agencies to facilitate the timely and secure exchange
of information under this section, including access to information
concerning active or ongoing investigations, consistent with applicable
laws governing the handling of sensitive or classified information.
(c) Privacy and Security.--The Bureau of Consular Affairs of the
Department shall implement appropriate safeguards to ensure that any
information accessed under this section is handled in accordance with
applicable laws governing the protection of personal information.
(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed
to authorize the collection of new categories of information or the use
of information for purposes unrelated to passport or visa adjudication,
anti-fraud, or national security screening.
SEC. 238. MODERNIZATION AND REALIGNMENT OF CONSULAR SYSTEMS.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to--
(1) align consular information systems modernization with
enterprise-wide information technology strategy and
cybersecurity policies;
(2) improve integration, reduce redundancy, and enhance
efficiency across Department-wide systems; and
(3) ensure that consular systems benefit from unified
management, architecture, and modernization oversight under the
Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Department.
(b) Transfer of the Office of Consular Systems and Technology.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transfer the
Office of Consular Systems and Technology from the Bureau of
Consular Affairs of the Department to the Bureau of Diplomatic
Technology of the Department.
(2) Reporting and operation.--Upon transfer, the Office of
Consular Systems and Technology shall report directly to the
CIO of the Department and operate under the jurisdiction,
oversight, and management of the CIO.
(3) Functions, assets, and personnel.--The functions,
assets, and personnel of the Office of Consular Systems and
Technology shall be transferred under this subsection without
interruption to ensure continuity of operations in support of
consular services, including passport and visa systems.
(c) Transition Plan and Reporting.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary for
Consular Affairs, in consultation with the Chief Information Officer,
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed
transition plan for the implementation of subsection (b), including--
(1) a timeline for the transfer;
(2) an organizational chart showing pre- and post-transfer
structures;
(3) any personnel or budgetary changes; and
(4) measures to ensure continuity of consular services
during the transition.
Subtitle E--Diplomatic Security
SEC. 241. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR DIPLOMATIC SECURITY.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department an
Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security who shall be responsible to
the Under Secretary for Management for matters pertaining to the
management, direction, and strategic execution of the Bureau of
Diplomatic Security, and such other related duties as the Secretary may
from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic
Security shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all
matters pertaining to diplomatic security in the conduct of foreign
policy, including, as appropriate--
(1) protective operations and law enforcement;
(2) security programs and emergency planning;
(3) investigations and counterintelligence;
(4) training, policy, and diplomatic engagement;
(5) any authority of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and
Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4801 et seq.) delegated to
the Assistant Secretary at the discretion of the Secretary; and
(6) performing such other related duties as the Under
Secretary for Management may from time to time designate.
SEC. 242. BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC SECURITY.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of
Diplomatic Security, which shall perform such functions related to--
(1) protection of United States diplomatic personnel and
facilities;
(2) the prevention and investigation of security threats;
(3) the implementation of technical, physical, and
cybersecurity programs;
(4) the management of emergency preparedness and threat
analysis; and
(5) the advancement of United States security partnerships
abroad as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head.--The Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security shall be
the head of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
SEC. 243. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary
for Management under section 202, the Assistant Secretary for
Diplomatic Security shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau
functions and the Assistant Secretary's responsibilities for fiscal
years 2026 and 2027.
SEC. 244. ROLE OF REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICERS AS PRINCIPAL SECURITY AND
LEAD LAW ENFORCEMENT REPRESENTATIVES AT OVERSEAS
MISSIONS.
Section 103(a)(1)(A) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security
Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4802(a)(1)(A)) is amended by
adding at the end before the semicolon the following: ``, including by
acting through appropriate personnel, such as Diplomatic Security
special agents assigned as Regional Security Officers, as the principal
security and lead law enforcement representatives to Chiefs of Mission
and the Secretary of State for purposes of directing executive branch
personnel assigned overseas under Chief of Mission authority''.
SEC. 245. SPECIAL AGENTS.
(a) General Authority.--Under such regulations as the Secretary may
prescribe, special agents of the Department and the Foreign Service
may--
(1) conduct investigations concerning--
(A) illegal passport or visa issuance or use;
(B) identity theft or document fraud affecting or
relating to the programs, functions, or authorities of
the Department;
(C) transnational violations of chapter 77 of title
18, United States Code, in which any part of the
offense conduct occurred outside the United States or
involved one or more foreign nationals; or
(D) Federal offenses committed within the special
maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United
States (as defined in section 7(9) of title 18, United
States Code), except as such jurisdiction relates to
the premises of United States military missions and
related residences;
(2) obtain and execute search and arrest warrants, as well
as obtain and serve subpoenas and summonses issued under the
authority of the United States;
(3) protect and perform protective functions directly
related to maintaining the security and safety of--
(A) heads of a foreign state, official
representatives of a foreign government, and other
distinguished visitors to the United States, while in
the United States;
(B) the Secretary, Deputy Secretary of State, and
official representatives of the United States
Government, in the United States or abroad;
(C) members of the immediate family of persons
described in subparagraph (A) or (B);
(D) foreign missions (as defined in section 202 of
the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22
U.S.C. 4302) and international organizations (as
defined in section 209(b) of such Act)), in the United
States;
(E) a departing Secretary for a period of up to 180
days after the date of termination of that individual's
incumbency as Secretary, on the basis of a threat
assessment; and
(F) an individual who has been designated by the
President or President-elect to serve as Secretary,
prior to that individual's appointment;
(4) if designated by the Secretary and qualified, under
regulations approved by the Attorney General, for the use of
firearms, carry firearms for the purpose of performing the
duties authorized by this section; and
(5) make arrests without warrant for any offense against
the United States committed in their presence, or for any
felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if they
have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be
arrested has committed or is committing such felony.
(b) Agreements With Attorney General and Secretary of the Treasury
and Firearms Regulations.--
(1) Agreement with attorney general.--The authority
conferred by paragraphs (1) and (4) of subsection (a) shall be
exercised subject to an agreement between the Secretary and the
Attorney General.
(2) Agreement with attorney general and secretary of the
treasury.--The authority conferred by paragraphs (2) and (5) of
subsection (a) shall be exercised subject to an agreement among
the Secretary, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of the
Treasury.
(3) Firearms regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe
regulations, which shall be approved by the Attorney General,
with respect to the carrying and use of firearms by special
agents under this section.
(c) Rule of Construction.--
(1) In general.--Nothing in subsection (a)(3) may be
construed to preclude or limit in any way the authority of the
United States Secret Service to provide protective services
pursuant to section 3056 or 3056A of title 18, United States
Code, at a level commensurate with protective requirements as
determined by the United States Secret Service.
(2) Interagency agreement.--The Secretary, the Attorney
General, and the Secretary of the Treasury shall enter into an
interagency agreement with respect to their law enforcement
functions.
SEC. 246. MODIFICATION OF CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT
RELATING TO EMBASSY REOPENING.
Section 105(b)(2) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and
Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4804(b)(2)) is amended by
inserting ``, detailing the national security value of reopening such
post'' after ``the decision to open or reopen such post''.
SEC. 247. COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE TRAINING FOR CERTAIN DIPLOMATIC SECURITY
AGENTS.
(a) In General.--Title IV of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and
Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4851 et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``SEC. 418. COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE TRAINING FOR CERTAIN DIPLOMATIC
SECURITY SPECIAL AGENTS.
``Diplomatic Security special agents who are assigned to positions
with a primary counterintelligence role or a diplomatic post rated as
High or Critical for Human Intelligence on the Department of State's
Security Environment Threat List shall receive specific and substantive
mandatory counter-intelligence training.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of the Omnibus
Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-399)
is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the following:
``Sec. 418. Counter-intelligence training for certain Diplomatic
Security special agents.''.
SEC. 248. EXPANSION OF COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE PERSONNEL SECURITY PROGRAM
TO INCLUDE NON-SECURITY STAFF.
Section 155(a) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, 1988 and
1989 (Public Law 100-204; 22 U.S.C. 4802 note) is amended by striking
``high intelligence threat countries who are responsible for security
at those posts'' and inserting ``critical human intelligence threat
countries and countries designated by the Under Secretary of State for
Management''.
Subtitle F--Asset Management
SEC. 251. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ASSET MANAGEMENT.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department an
Assistant Secretary for Asset Management who shall be responsible to
the Under Secretary for Management for matters pertaining to real
property, operations and maintenance, and such other related duties as
the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary for Asset
Management shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of
all matters pertaining to United States assets abroad and foreign
assets within the United States in the conduct of foreign policy,
including, as appropriate--
(1) planning, acquisition, design, construction,
maintenance, and disposal of United States diplomatic
facilities abroad;
(2) regulation and facilitation of foreign missions' real
property within the United States;
(3) management, maintenance, renovation, and disposal of
Department-owned or leased facilities within the United States;
(4) any authority under title II of the State Department
Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.; relating
to authorities relating to the regulation of foreign missions)
delegated to the Assistant Secretary at the discretion of the
Secretary;
(5) any authority of the Foreign Service Buildings Act of
1926 (22 U.S.C. 292 et seq.) delegated to the Assistant
Secretary at the discretion of the Secretary; and
(6) such other related duties as the Under Secretary for
Management may from time to time designate.
SEC. 252. BUREAU OF ASSET MANAGEMENT.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of Asset
Management, which shall perform such functions related to management of
real property and assets of the Department, and foreign missions within
the United States, as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head.--The Assistant Secretary for Asset Management shall be
the head of the Bureau of Asset Management.
(c) Directorates.--In the Bureau of Asset Management there may be
three directorates to administer the following duties:
(1) Overseas Building Operations.
(2) Office of Foreign Missions.
(3) Office of Domestic Operations and Emergency Services.
SEC. 253. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary
for Management under section 202, the Assistant Secretary for Asset
Management shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau
functions and the Assistant Secretary's responsibilities for fiscal
years 2026 and 2027.
SEC. 254. PROPERTY OF FOREIGN MISSIONS.
(a) Acquisition, Sale, or Other Disposition of Real Property.--
(1) In general.--The Under Secretary for Management, in
consultation with the Secretary shall require any foreign
mission in the United States, including any mission to an
international organization (as defined in section 209(b)(2) of
the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C.
4309(b)(2))), to notify the Under Secretary prior to any
proposed acquisition, or any proposed sale or other
disposition, of any real property by or on behalf of such
mission.
(2) Requirements.--The foreign mission (or other party
acting on behalf of the foreign mission) may initiate or
execute any contract, proceeding, application, or other action
required for a proposed action under paragraph (1) only--
(A) after the expiration of the 60-day period
beginning on the date of such notification (or after
the expiration of such shorter period as the Secretary
may specify in a given case); and
(B) if the mission is not notified by the Under
Secretary within that period that the proposal has been
disapproved, except that the Under Secretary may
include in such a notification such terms and
conditions as the Under Secretary may determine
appropriate in order to remove the disapproval.
(b) Divestiture.--The Under Secretary for Management, in
consultation with the Secretary, may require any foreign mission to
divest itself of, or forgo the use of, any real property determined--
(1) not to have been acquired in accordance with this
section;
(2) to exceed limitations placed on real property available
to a United States mission in the sending State; or
(3) where otherwise necessary to protect the interests of
the United States.
(c) Abandoned Property.--If a foreign mission has ceased conducting
diplomatic, consular, and other governmental activities in the United
States and has not designated a protecting power or other agent
approved by the Secretary to be responsible for the property of that
foreign mission, the Under Secretary for Management--
(1) until the designation of a protecting power or other
agent approved by the Secretary, may protect and preserve any
property of that foreign mission; and
(2) may dispose of such property at such time as the Under
Secretary may determine after the expiration of the one-year
period beginning on the date that the foreign mission ceased
those activities, and may remit to the sending State the net
proceeds from such disposition.
(d) Coordination.--
(1) In general.--Beginning on the date of the enactment of
this Act, real property in the United States may not be
acquired (by sale, lease, or other means) by or on behalf of
the foreign mission of a covered foreign country if--
(A) in the judgment of the Secretary of Defense
(after consultation with the Secretary), the
acquisition of that property might substantially
improve the capability of that country to intercept
communications involving United States Government
diplomatic, military, or intelligence matters; or
(B) in the judgment of the Director of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (after consultation with the
Secretary), the acquisition of that property might
substantially improve the capability of that country to
engage in intelligence activities directed against the
United States Government, other than the intelligence
activities described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Notification.--The Secretary shall inform the Secretary
of Defense and the Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation immediately upon notice being given pursuant to
subsection (a) of a proposed acquisition of real property by or
on behalf of the foreign mission of a foreign country described
in paragraph (4).
(e) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``acquisition'' includes any acquisition or
alteration of, or addition to, any real property or any change
in the purpose for which real property is used by a foreign
mission;
(2) the term ``covered foreign country'' means--
(A) any country listed as a Communist country in
section 620(f) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961;
(B) any country the government of which the
Secretary determines has repeatedly provided support
for international terrorism pursuant to--
(i) section 1754(c)(1)(A) of the Export
Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C.
4813(c)(1)(A));
(ii) section 620A of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371);
(iii) section 40 of the Arms Export Control
Act (22 U.S.C. 2780); or
(iv) any other provision of law; or
(C) any other country which engages in intelligence
activities in the United States which are adverse to
the national security interests of the United States;
and
(3) the term ``substantially improve'' may not be construed
to prevent the establishment of a foreign mission by a country
which, as of the date of enactment of this Act--
(A) does not have a mission in the United States;
or
(B) with respect to a city in the United States,
did not maintain a mission in that city.
SEC. 255. EXEMPTION OF DEPARTMENT FROM SECURE FEDERAL LEASES ACT.
Section 2(6)(A) of the Secure Federal LEASEs Act (Public Law 116-
276; 40 U.S.C. 585 note) is amended by inserting ``and the Department
of State'' after ``the Department of Defense''.
SEC. 256. NON-STANDARD DESIGN CONSTRUCTION REPORTING REQUIREMENT.
Section 5202 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2022 (Public Law 117-81; 135 Stat. 2353) is amended by striking
subsection (c).
SEC. 257. FEE FOR USE OF DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION ROOMS.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary for Management is authorized
to charge a fee for use of the diplomatic reception rooms of the
Department.
(b) Deposit and Availability.--Amounts collected under subsection
(a) (including reimbursements and surcharges) shall be credited as
discretionary offsetting collections to the currently applicable
appropriation account of the Department to recover the costs of such
use and shall be made available for such purposes only to the extent
and in the amounts provided in advance for appropriations Acts, which
shall remain available for obligation until expended.
SEC. 258. FEES RECEIVED FOR USE OF BLAIR HOUSE.
(a) Use of Fees.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds
received by the Department in connection with the use of Blair House
(including reimbursements and surcharges for services and goods
provided and fees for use of Blair House facilities) may be credited to
the appropriate appropriation account of the Department which is
currently available. Such funds shall be available only for maintenance
and other expenses of Blair House.
(b) Compliance With the Budget Act.--The authority of this section
may be exercised only to such extent or in such amounts as are provided
in advance in an appropriation Act.
SEC. 259. PROVISION OF BENEFITS.
(a) In General.--Upon the request of a foreign mission in the
United States, benefits may be provided to or for that foreign mission
by or through the Assistant Secretary for Asset Management on such
terms and conditions as the Secretary may approve.
(b) Authority.--
(1) In general.--If the Assistant Secretary for Asset
Management determines that such action is reasonably necessary
on the basis of reciprocity or otherwise--
(A) to facilitate relations between the United
States and a sending State,
(B) to protect the interests of the United States,
(C) to adjust for costs and procedures of obtaining
benefits for missions of the United States abroad,
(D) to assist in resolving a dispute affecting
United States interests and involving a foreign mission
or sending State, or
(E) subject to subsection (f), to implement an
exchange of property between the Government of the
United States and the government of a foreign country,
such property to be used by each government in the
respective receiving state for, or in connection with,
diplomatic or consular establishments,
then the Assistant Secretary may require a foreign mission to
take one or more of the actions described in paragraph (2).
(2) Actions described.--The actions described in this
paragraph are--
(A) to obtain benefits from or through the
Assistant Secretary on such terms and conditions as the
Secretary may approve; or
(B) to forego the acceptance, use, or relations of
any benefit or to comply with such terms and conditions
as the Assistant Secretary may determine as a condition
to the execution or performance in the United States of
any contract or other agreement, the acquisition,
retention, or use of any real property, or the
application for or acceptance of any benefit (including
any benefit from or authorized by any Federal, State,
or municipal governmental authority, or any entity
providing public services).
(c) Terms and Conditions.--The Assistant Secretary for Asset
Management, in consultation with the Secretary, may establish terms and
conditions under this section which may include--
(1) a requirement to pay to the Assistant Secretary a
surcharge or fee, and
(2) a waiver by a foreign mission or any assignee of or
person deriving rights from a foreign mission of any recourse
against any governmental authority, any entity providing public
services, any employee or agent of such an authority or entity,
or any other person,
in connection with any action determined by the Secretary to be
undertaken in furtherance of this section.
(d) Waiver.--For purposes of effectuating a waiver of recourse
which is required under this section, the Assistant Secretary for Asset
Management may designate any officer of the Department as the agent of
a foreign mission (or of any assignee of or person deriving rights from
a foreign mission). Any such waiver by an officer so designated shall
for all purposes (including any court or administrative proceeding) be
deemed to be a waiver by the foreign mission (or the assignee of or
other person deriving rights from a foreign mission).
(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this title may be deemed to
preclude or limit in any way the authority of the United States Secret
Service to provide protective services pursuant to section 3056 or
3056A of title 18, United States Code, at a level commensurate with
protective requirements as determined by the United States Secret
Service.
(f) Real Property.--
(1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary for Asset
Management, in consultation with the Secretary, upon a
determination in each specific case by the Assistant Secretary
that the purpose of the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926,
can best be met on the basis of an in-kind exchange of
properties with a foreign country pursuant to subsection
(b)(1)(E), may transfer funds made available under the heading
``Acquisition and Maintenance of Buildings Abroad'' (including
funds held in the Foreign Service Buildings Fund) for such
purpose to the Working Capital Fund, as provided in section
208(h)(1) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956
(22 U.S.C. 4308(h)(1)). Except for funds that may be provided
by a foreign government for the purchase of property, only
funds transferred under the preceding sentence may be used for
the purposes of subsection (b)(1)(E).
(2) Reciprocal agreement.--The Assistant Secretary may
acquire property in the United States for the purposes of
subsection (b)(1)(E) only in the context of a specific
reciprocal agreement with a specified foreign government.
Property acquired by the United States in the foreign country
through such an exchange shall benefit the United States at
least to the same extent as the property acquired in the United
States benefits the foreign government.
(3) Regulations.--The Assistant Secretary shall prescribe
regulations for the implementation of any in-kind exchange of
properties pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(E).
(4) Congressional notification.--At least 15 days before
entering into any reciprocal agreement for the exchange of
property with another foreign government, the Secretary, acting
through the Assistant Secretary for Asset Management, shall
notify the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate of such proposed reciprocal agreement.
(5) Proceeds.--Proceeds from the disposition of properties
acquired pursuant to this subsection shall be credited to the
Foreign Service Buildings Fund (referred to in section 9 of the
Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926). The authority to spend
such proceeds may be exercised only to such extent or in such
amounts as are provided in advance in an appropriation Act.
Subtitle G--Human Resources
SEC. 261. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HUMAN RESOURCES.
(a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be in the Department an
Assistant Secretary for Human Resources who shall be responsible to the
Under Secretary for Management for matters pertaining to human
resources, the management and development of the workforce of the
Department, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from
time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities.--In addition to the responsibilities
described in subsection (a) and the duties of the Director General of
the Foreign Service, the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources shall
maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters
pertaining to human capital, workforce development and management in
the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate--
(1) talent management, including acquisition, development,
evaluation retention, promotion, and retirement;
(2) the Department's training and development institutions,
programs, and responsibilities;
(3) personnel benefits, including the administration of the
Department's benefits and annuities;
(4) managing employee experience and relations, including
addressing grievances, ensuring accessibility, and managing
accommodations;
(5) domestic and overseas assignments policy and
administration;
(6) talent strategy and analysis;
(7) presidential appointments; and
(8) such other related duties as the Under Secretary for
Management may from time to time designate.
SEC. 262. BUREAU OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of Human
Resources, which shall perform such functions related to the
recruitment, training, and retirement of personnel of the Department,
as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head.--The Assistant Secretary for Human Resources shall be the
head of the Bureau of Human Resources.
SEC. 263. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary
for Management under section 202, the Assistant Secretary for Human
Resources shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau functions
and the Assistant Secretary's responsibilities for fiscal years 2026
and 2027.
SEC. 264. MATTERS RELATING TO THE FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE.
(a) Director Line of Reporting.--The Director of the Foreign
Service Institute shall report to the Assistant Secretary for Human
Resources for all matters pertaining to the management, execution, and
strategy of the training and instruction required by section 701 of the
Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4021).
(b) Schools of Instruction.--The Foreign Service Institute shall
consist of at least four schools of instruction, which shall provide
instruction consistent with the requirements set forth in title 7 of
the Foreign Service Act of 1980. The schools of instruction shall be as
follows:
(1) The School of Professional and Area Studies, which
shall provide job-specific orientation, tradecraft, and area
studies training through tailored programs in consular,
economic and commercial, management, office management,
political, and public diplomacy, as well as new-hire
orientation programs, to empower foreign affairs professionals
to advance the United States interests and address the evolving
challenges of 21st-century diplomacy.
(2) The School of Leadership and Management Studies, which
shall provide leadership and crisis management training to
prepare Department personnel to take on supervisory and
management roles, face global leadership challenges, and
promote organizational health and efficiency.
(3) The School of Applied Information Technology Studies,
which shall provide digital literacy and technology instruction
and orientation for Department personnel. Such school shall
provide instruction to--
(A) enable Department personnel to efficiently and
effectively use technology in their daily routines;
(B) ensure information technology professionals
have the up-to-date knowledge and skills required to
operate and maintain the complex computer and
technology systems employed domestically and at all
United States overseas missions; and
(C) prepare Department personnel to serve as
information technology consultants on behalf of their
mission.
(4) The School of Foreign Languages, which shall be
responsible for providing language instruction as prescribed by
law and at the direction of the Secretary to meet the needs of
the Department and advance United States national interests.
SEC. 265. FEES FOR USE OF THE GEORGE P. SCHULTZ NATIONAL FOREIGN
AFFAIRS TRAINING CENTER.
The Under Secretary for Management is authorized to charge a fee
for use of the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training
Center of the Department. Amounts collected under this section
(including reimbursements and surcharges) shall be deposited as an
offsetting collection to any Department appropriation to recover the
costs of such use and shall be made available for such purposes only to
the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in Appropriations
Acts, which shall remain available for obligation until expended.
Subtitle H--United States Code Classification
SEC. 271. CLASSIFICATION IN UNITED STATES CODE.
The Office of Law Revision Counsel is directed to--
(1) utilize sections 36 through 66 of title 22, United
States Code, to classify the sections of this title; and
(2) maintain the legislative history, under editorial
notes, of repealed law which previously occupied the
corresponding sections of United States Code.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
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