Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act
This bill revises the procedures for appointing and removing the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the Government Publishing Office (GPO), and the Register of Copyrights.
Specifically, the bill requires the Librarian and the Director of GPO to be appointed by a bipartisan congressional commission, based on procedures outlined by the bill and without regard to political affiliation. (Currently, these positions are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.) The Librarian and the Director of GPO may only be removed from office by a majority vote of the majority and minority leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Additionally, the bill requires the Librarian and the Director of GPO to each appoint a deputy within a set time frame and outlines related procedures.
The bill removes the Library of Congress's (LOC's) supervisory authority over the Copyright Office. LOC and other legislative agencies may provide support services to the Copyright Office.
The bill requires the Register of Copyrights to be (1) a U.S. citizen with a background and experience in copyright law, and (2) appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. (Currently, the Register is appointed by the Librarian.) The bill limits the term of office for the Register to 10 years, but the individual may be reappointed.
The bill also requires GPO to establish and maintain a human capital management system and outlines the requirements for the system.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6028 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6028
To modify the appointment and removal process for certain legislative
branch officers, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 12, 2025
Mr. Griffith introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on
the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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 modify the appointment and removal process for certain legislative
branch officers, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Legislative Branch Agencies
Clarification Act''.
SEC. 2. LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS.
(a) In General.--The Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization
Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-86; 129 Stat. 675), is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 3 as section 5;
(2) by redesignating section 2 as section 3;
(3) by inserting after section 1 the following:
``SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
``In this Act:
``(1) Commission.--The term `commission' means a
congressional commission consisting of the oversight committee
leadership and the House and Senate leadership.
``(2) Deputy librarian.--The term `Deputy Librarian' means
the Deputy Librarian of Congress.
``(3) House and senate leadership.--The term `House and
Senate leadership' means the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, the
minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the
minority leader of the Senate.
``(4) Librarian.--The term `Librarian' means the Librarian
of Congress.
``(5) Oversight committee leadership.--The term `oversight
committee leadership' means the chair and ranking minority
member of the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives and the chairman and ranking minority member of
the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.''; and
(4) in section 3, as so redesignated--
(A) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the
following:
``(a) Appointment.--
``(1) Commission.--The Librarian shall be appointed by the
commission in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph (2), without regard to political affiliation, and
solely on the basis of fitness to perform the duties of the
office.
``(2) Appointment procedures.--
``(A) Recommendation of 3 individuals.--If there is
a vacancy in the position of Librarian, the oversight
committee leadership shall jointly recommend 3
individuals for appointment to the vacant office.
``(B) Selection by leaders.--The Librarian shall be
appointed from among the 3 individuals recommended
under subparagraph (A) upon a majority vote of the
House and Senate leadership.'';
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ``of Congress'';
(C) in subsection (c), by striking ``of Congress,
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,'';
and
(D) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the
following:
``(d) Removal.--The Librarian may be removed from office at any
time upon a majority vote of the House and Senate leadership.''.
(b) Pay.--Section 904 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1983
(2 U.S.C. 136a-2) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``Notwithstanding''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) The Librarian of Congress shall not be considered to serve
under a political appointment for purposes of section 747 of the
Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024
(division B of Public Law 118-47; 138 Stat. 585), or any other
subsequently enacted similar provision of law.''.
SEC. 3. DEPUTY LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS.
The Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015
(Public Law 114-86; 129 Stat. 675), is amended by inserting after
section 3, as so redesignated, the following:
``SEC. 4. DEPUTY LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS.
``(a) Establishment of Deputy Librarian.--
``(1) In general.--The Librarian shall appoint a suitable
individual to be the Deputy Librarian of Congress.
``(2) Duties.--The Librarian may delegate to the Deputy
Librarian such duties as the Librarian determines are necessary
or appropriate.
``(b) Deadline.--The Librarian shall appoint a Deputy Librarian
under subsection (a)(1) not later than 120 days after--
``(1) the date on which the Librarian is appointed under
section 3, if there is no Deputy Librarian on the date of the
appointment; or
``(2) the date on which a vacancy arises in the office of
the Deputy Librarian.
``(c) Failure To Appoint.--If the Librarian does not appoint a
Deputy Librarian on or before the applicable date specified in
subsection (b)--
``(1) the oversight committee leadership shall jointly
recommend an individual for appointment to the vacant office;
and
``(2) upon a majority vote of the House and Senate
leadership, the individual recommended under paragraph (1)
shall be appointed as the Deputy Librarian.
``(d) Notification.--If the position of Deputy Librarian becomes
vacant, the Librarian shall immediately notify the members of the
commission.
``(e) Service as Acting Librarian.--
``(1) In general.--The Deputy Librarian shall act as
Librarian if the Librarian is absent or disabled or there is no
Librarian.
``(2) Absence, disability, or vacancy in office of deputy
librarian.--
``(A) In general.--For purposes of paragraph (1),
if the Deputy Librarian is also absent or disabled or
there is no Deputy Librarian--
``(i) the oversight committee leadership
shall jointly recommend an individual to be
designated to serve as acting Librarian; and
``(ii) upon a majority vote of the members
of the House and Senate leadership, the
individual recommended under clause (i) shall
be designated to serve as acting Librarian.
``(B) Period of appointment.--An individual
designated as acting Librarian under subparagraph (A)
may serve until--
``(i) the end of the absence or disability
of the Librarian or the Deputy Librarian; or
``(ii) in the case of vacancies in both
positions, a Librarian has been appointed under
section 3.
``(3) Authority.--An officer serving as acting Librarian
under paragraph (1) or (2) shall perform all the duties and
exercise all the authorities of the Librarian, including the
authority to delegate the duties and authorities of the
Librarian.''.
SEC. 4. DIRECTOR OF THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE.
(a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 44, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by inserting before section 301 the following:
``Sec. 300. Definitions
``In this chapter--
``(1) the term `commission' means a congressional
commission consisting of the oversight committee leadership and
the House and Senate leadership;
``(2) the term `House and Senate leadership' means the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of
the Senate, the minority leader of the House of
Representatives, and the minority leader of the Senate; and
``(3) the term `oversight committee leadership' means the
chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives and the chairman
and ranking minority member of the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate.''; and
(2) in section 301--
(A) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the
following:
``(a)(1) The Government Publishing Office shall be headed by a
Director.
``(2)(A) The Director shall be appointed by the commission in
accordance with the procedures specified in subparagraph (B), without
regard to political affiliation, and solely on the basis of fitness to
perform the duties of the office.
``(B)(i) If there is a vacancy in the position of Director, the
oversight committee leadership shall jointly recommend 3 individuals
for appointment to the vacant office.
``(ii) The Director shall be appointed from among the 3 individuals
recommended under clause (i), upon a majority vote of the House and
Senate leadership.'';
(B) in subsection (c), by striking ``, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate,''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) The Director may be removed from office at any time upon a
majority vote of the members of the House and Senate leadership.''.
(b) Pay.--Section 303 of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``The annual rate of pay
for the Director of the Government Publishing Office''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) The Director of the Government Publishing Office shall not be
considered to serve under a political appointment for purposes of
section 747 of the Financial Services and General Government
Appropriations Act, 2024 (division B of Public Law 118-47; 138 Stat.
585), or any other subsequently enacted similar provision of law.''.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 3 of
title 44, United States Code, is amended by inserting before the item
relating to section 301 the following:
``300. Definitions.''.
SEC. 5. DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE.
(a) In General.--Section 302 of title 44, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 302. Deputy Director of the Government Publishing Office:
appointment; duties
``(a) In this section--
``(1) the term `Deputy Director' means the Deputy Director
of the Government Publishing Office; and
``(2) the term `Director' means the Director of the
Government Publishing Office.
``(b)(1) The Director shall appoint a suitable person to be the
Deputy Director.
``(2) The Deputy Director shall supervise the buildings occupied by
the Government Publishing Office and perform any other duties required
by the Director.
``(c) The Director shall appoint a Deputy Director under subsection
(b)(1) not later than 120 days after--
``(1) the date on which the Director is appointed under
section 301, if there is no Deputy Director on the date of the
appointment; or
``(2) the date on which a vacancy arises in the office of
the Deputy Director.
``(d) If the Director does not appoint a Deputy Director on or
before the applicable date specified in subsection (c)--
``(1) the oversight committee leadership shall jointly
recommend an individual for appointment to the vacant office;
and
``(2) upon a majority vote of the House and Senate
leadership, the individual recommended under paragraph (1)
shall be appointed as the Deputy Director.
``(e) If the position of Deputy Director becomes vacant, the
Director shall immediately notify the members of the commission.''.
(b) Service as Acting Director.--Section 304 of title 44, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 304. Director of the Government Publishing Office: vacancy in
office
``(a) In this section, the terms `Deputy Director' and `Director'
have the meanings given such terms in section 302(a).
``(b) The Deputy Director shall act as Director if the Director is
absent or disabled or there is no Director.
``(c)(1) For purposes of subsection (b), if the Deputy Director is
also absent or disabled or there is no Deputy Director--
``(A) the oversight committee leadership shall jointly
recommend an individual to be designated to serve as acting
Director; and
``(B) upon a majority vote of the House and Senate
leadership, the individual recommended under subparagraph (A)
shall be designated as the acting Director.
``(2) An individual designated as acting Director under paragraph
(1) may serve until--
``(A) the end of the absence or disability of the Director
or the Deputy Director; or
``(B) in the case of vacancies in both positions, a
Director has been appointed under section 301.
``(d) An officer serving as acting Director under subsection (b) or
(c) shall perform all the duties and exercise all the authorities of
the Director, including the authority to delegate the duties and
authorities of the Director.''.
SEC. 6. COPYRIGHT OFFICE.
(a) Removing Supervisory Authority of Library of Congress Over
Copyright Office.--
(1) In general.--Title 17, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in chapter 1--
(i) in section 111(d)--
(I) in paragraph (2), in the second
sentence, by striking ``Librarian of
Congress'' and inserting ``Register of
Copyrights''; and
(II) in paragraph (4)--
(aa) in subparagraph (B),
in the second sentence, by
striking ``Librarian of
Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights''; and
(bb) in subparagraph (C),
by striking ``Librarian of
Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights'';
(ii) in section 112(e)(5), by striking
``Librarian of Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights'';
(iii) in section 114(f)(2), by striking
``Librarian of Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights'';
(iv) in section 115(d)--
(I) in paragraph (3)(A)(iv), by
striking ``, with the approval of the
Librarian of Congress pursuant to
section 702,''; and
(II) in paragraph (5)(A)(iv), by
striking ``, with the approval of the
Librarian of Congress pursuant to
section 702,'';
(v) in section 118(b)(2), by striking
``Librarian of Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights''; and
(vi) in section 119(b)--
(I) in paragraph (3), in the second
sentence, by striking ``Librarian of
Congress'' and inserting ``Register of
Copyrights''; and
(II) in paragraph (5)--
(aa) in subparagraph (B),
in the second sentence, by
striking ``Librarian of
Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights''; and
(bb) in subparagraph (C),
by striking ``Librarian of
Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights'';
(B) in chapter 7--
(i) in section 701--
(I) in subsection (a)--
(aa) in the first sentence,
by striking ``of the Library of
Congress''; and
(bb) by striking the second
sentence and inserting the
following: ``The Register of
Copyrights shall be appointed
by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the
Senate, but before the
President makes such an
appointment, the chair and
ranking minority member of each
of the Committee on the
Judiciary of the House of
Representatives and the
Committee on the Judiciary of
the Senate shall jointly
recommend 3 individuals whom
the President may consider in
making the appointment. The
subordinate officers and
employees of the Copyright
Office shall be appointed by
the Register of Copyrights.'';
(II) in subsection (d)--
(aa) in the first sentence,
by striking ``the Librarian
of''; and
(bb) by striking the second
sentence; and
(III) in subsection (f), by
striking the second and third sentences
and inserting the following: ``The
Register of Copyrights shall establish
not more than 4 positions for Associate
Registers of Copyrights and shall make
appointments to those positions.'';
(ii) in section 702, by striking the second
sentence; and
(iii) in section 704(d), by striking
``joint discretion of the Register and the
Librarian'' and inserting ``discretion of the
Register, in consultation with the
Librarian,'';
(C) in chapter 8--
(i) in section 801--
(I) in subsection (a)--
(aa) in the first sentence,
by striking ``Librarian of
Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights''; and
(bb) by striking the second
sentence;
(II) in subsection (d), by striking
``Librarian of Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights''; and
(III) in subsection (e)--
(aa) in the heading, by
striking ``Library of
Congress'' and inserting
``Copyright Office''; and
(bb) by striking ``Library
of Congress'' and inserting
``Copyright Office'';
(ii) in section 802--
(I) in subsection (d)--
(aa) in paragraph (1), in
the first sentence, by striking
``Librarian of Congress'' and
inserting ``Register of
Copyrights''; and
(bb) in paragraph (2), by
striking ``Librarian of
Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights'';
(II) in subsection (f)(2)--
(aa) in subparagraph (A),
by striking ``Library of
Congress'' and inserting
``Copyright Office''; and
(bb) in subparagraph (B),
by striking ``Librarian of
Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights'';
(III) in subsection (h), by
striking ``Librarian of Congress'' and
inserting ``Register of Copyrights'';
and
(IV) in subsection (i)--
(aa) by striking
``Librarian of Congress'' each
place that term appears and
inserting ``Register of
Copyrights''; and
(bb) in the third sentence,
by striking ``Librarian'' and
inserting ``Register of
Copyrights''; and
(iii) in section 803--
(I) in subsection (a)(1), in the
second sentence--
(aa) by striking ``the
Librarian of Congress'' and
inserting ``the Register of
Copyrights''; and
(bb) by striking ``of the
Librarian of Congress or'' and
inserting ``of'';
(II) in subsection (b)(6)(A), in
the second sentence, by striking
``Librarian of Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights'';
(III) in subsection (c)(6)--
(aa) by striking
``Librarian of Congress'' each
place that term appears and
inserting ``Register of
Copyrights''; and
(bb) in the second
sentence, by striking
``Librarian'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights''; and
(IV) in subsection (e)(1)--
(aa) in the paragraph
heading, by striking ``library
of congress and''; and
(bb) in subparagraph (A)--
(AA) by striking
``The Librarian of
Congress'' and
inserting ``The
Register of
Copyrights''; and
(BB) by striking
``the Librarian of
Congress, the Copyright
Office, and'' and
inserting ``the
Copyright Office and'';
(D) in section 1007--
(i) in subsection (b), in the third
sentence, by striking ``Librarian of Congress''
and inserting ``Register of Copyrights''; and
(ii) in subsection (c), in the third
sentence, by striking ``Librarian of Congress''
and inserting ``Register of Copyrights'';
(E) in section 1201(a)(1)--
(i) in subparagraph (C)--
(I) in the matter preceding clause
(i)--
(aa) in the first sentence,
by striking ``the Librarian of
Congress, upon the
recommendation of the Register
of Copyrights, who shall
consult with the Assistant
Secretary for Communications
and Information of the
Department of Commerce and
report and comment on his or
her views in making such
recommendation'' and inserting
``the Register of Copyrights,
after consultation with the
Assistant Secretary of Commerce
for Communications and
Information''; and
(bb) in the second
sentence, by striking ``the
Librarian'' and inserting ``the
Register of Copyrights''; and
(II) in clause (v), by striking
``Librarian'' and inserting ``Register
of Copyrights''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking
``Librarian'' each place that term appears and
inserting ``Register of Copyrights'';
(F) in section 1331, by striking ``of the Library
of Congress''; and
(G) in chapter 15--
(i) in section 1502(b)--
(I) in paragraph (1)--
(aa) in the first sentence,
by striking ``recommend'' and
inserting ``appoint''; and
(bb) by striking the second
sentence;
(II) in paragraph (6)--
(aa) in subparagraph
(A)(i), by striking ``the
Librarian of Congress shall,
upon the recommendation of, and
in consultation with, the
Register of Copyrights,'' and
inserting ``the Register of
Copyrights shall''; and
(bb) in subparagraph (B),
by striking ``the Librarian of
Congress shall, upon
recommendation of, and in
consultation with, the Register
of Copyrights,'' and inserting
``the Register of Copyrights
shall''; and
(III) in paragraph (7), by striking
``Librarian of Congress'' and inserting
``Register of Copyrights''; and
(ii) in section 1503(b)(3), by striking
``Library of Congress or''.
(2) Amendments to other laws.--
(A) Computer software rental amendments act of
1990.--Section 805(d) of the Computer Software Rental
Amendments Act of 1990 (17 U.S.C. 205 note; Public Law
101-650) is amended by striking the second sentence.
(B) Unlocking consumer choice and wireless
competition act.--Section 2 of the Unlocking Consumer
Choice and Wireless Competition Act (17 U.S.C. 1201
note; Public Law 113-144) is amended--
(i) in the heading, by striking ``by
librarian of congress'';
(ii) in subsection (a), by inserting after
``United States Code,'' the following: ``(as in
effect before the date of enactment of the
Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification
Act)'';
(iii) in subsection (c), by striking
paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) as authorized by an exemption adopted by--
``(A) the Librarian of Congress pursuant to a
determination made on or after the date of enactment of
this Act and before the date of enactment of the
Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act under
section 1201(a)(1)(C) of title 17, United States Code;
or
``(B) the Register of Copyrights pursuant to a
determination made on or after the date of enactment of
the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act under
section 1201(a)(1)(C) of title 17, United States
Code,''; and
(iv) in subsection (d), by striking
paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Librarian of congress; register of copyrights.--
Nothing in this Act alters, or shall be construed to alter, the
authority of--
``(A) the Librarian of Congress under section
1201(a)(1) of title 17, United States Code, as in
effect before the date of enactment of the Legislative
Branch Agencies Clarification Act; or
``(B) the Register of Copyrights under section
1201(a)(1) of title 17, United States Code, as in
effect on or after the date of enactment of the
Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act.''.
(C) Act of june 13, 1957.--The first section of the
Act entitled ``An Act to fix the responsibilities of
certifying officers and disbursing officer of the
Library of Congress'', approved June 13, 1957 (2 U.S.C.
142b), is amended by striking ``, including the
Copyright Office,''.
(b) Register of Copyrights Qualifications; Term of Office.--Section
701(a) of title 17, as amended by this section, is amended--
(1) by inserting before ``shall be appointed by the
President'' the following: ``shall be a citizen of the United
States with a background and experience in copyright law,
and''; and
(2) by inserting before ``The subordinate officers'' the
following: ``The Register of Copyrights shall be appointed for
a term of 10 years, but if the Register is appointed to fill a
vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which
the most immediate predecessor was appointed, the Register
shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. The Register
may be reappointed for 1 or more additional terms of 5 years
each.''.
(c) Establishment of Inspector General of the Copyright Office.--
(1) In general.--Section 415(a)(1)(A) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``and the United States
Postal Service'' and inserting ``the United States Postal
Service, and the Copyright Office''.
(2) Relation to inspector general of the library of
congress.--Section 1307 of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 2006 (2 U.S.C. 185) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(i) No Oversight Authority Over Copyright Office.--The Inspector
General shall have no oversight authority with respect to the Copyright
Office.''.
(d) Appointment of Acting Officers by Acting Register.--Section
701(a) of title 17, United States Code, as amended by this section, is
amended by adding at the end the following: ``Any officer appointed by
an acting Register of Copyrights, including a Copyright Royalty Judge,
shall be an acting officer, and may be removed from office at any time
by an individual serving in the office of Register of Copyrights
pursuant to an appointment by the President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate.''.
(e) Ratification of Actions Taken by Copyright Entities Prior to
Enactment.--Each action taken under title 17, United States Code, by
the Copyright Office, the Register of Copyrights, the Copyright Royalty
Judges, or the Copyright Claims Board during the period beginning on
May 8, 2025, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act is
ratified and shall be given full force and effect.
(f) Support Agreements; Reimbursement.--Section 701 of title 17,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Support Agreements; Reimbursement.--The Library of Congress
and any other agency or office in the legislative branch of the Federal
Government may provide administrative, facilities, financial
management, information technology, legal, security, and other
appropriate support to the Copyright Office as provided under an
agreement for services entered into by the applicable agency or office
and the Copyright Office.''.
SEC. 7. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE PERSONNEL REFORMS.
(a) Congressional Accountability Act.--
(1) Application of the congressional accountability act to
the government publishing office.--Section 101(a) of the
Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301(a)) is
amended--
(A) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (J), by striking
``or'';
(ii) in subparagraph (K), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(L) the Government Publishing Office.'';
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking ``through (K)''
and inserting ``through (L)'';
(C) in paragraph (8), by striking ``through (K)''
and inserting ``through (L)''; and
(D) in paragraph (9)(D)--
(i) by striking ``and the John'' and
inserting ``the John''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, and the Government
Publishing Office'' before ``; or''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Section 2301(a) of title 5, United States Code,
is amended to read as follows:
``(a) This section shall apply to an Executive agency.''.
(B) Section 2302(a)(2)(C) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``and the Government
Publishing Office''.
(C) Section 4301(1) of title 5, United States Code,
is amended--
(i) by striking ``(1) `agency' means--''
and all that follows through ``but does not
include--'' and inserting the following:
``(1) `agency' means an Executive agency, but does not
include--''; and
(ii) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii),
and (iii) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).
(D) Section 4701(a)(1) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``and the Government
Publishing Office''.
(E) Section 5102(a)(1) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended--
(i) by striking subparagraph (D); and
(ii) redesignating subparagraphs (E) and
(F) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively.
SEC. 8. HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING
OFFICE.
(a) In General.--Section 305(a) of title 44, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the first sentence--
(A) by striking ``other persons'' and inserting
``other people''; and
(B) by striking ``the persons employed'' and
inserting ``those employed'';
(2) in the second sentence, by striking ``persons'' and
inserting ``people'';
(3) by striking the third sentence; and
(4) by striking ``oftener than once a year.'' and inserting
``more often than once a year.''.
(b) Human Capital Management System.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 3 of title 44, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after section 306 the following:
``Sec. 306A. Director of the Government Publishing Office; human
capital management system
``(a) The Director of the Government Publishing Office shall
establish and maintain a human capital management system (in this
section referred to as the `system').
``(b) The system shall--
``(1) include the merit system principles set forth under
section 2301(b) of title 5;
``(2) prohibit any personnel practice prohibited under
section 2302(b) of title 5;
``(3) prohibit any political activity prohibited under
subchapter III of chapter 73 of title 5;
``(4) ensure that officers and employees of the Government
Publishing Office are appointed, promoted, and assigned only on
the basis of merit and fitness;
``(5) be established without regard to the provisions of
title 5 governing appointments and other personnel actions in
the competitive service; and
``(6) give a preference to an individual eligible for a
hiring preference in the executive branch of the United States
Government in a way and to an extent consistent with the
preference given the individual for a position in the executive
branch.
``(c)(1) The Director may prescribe regulations about the system
only--
``(A) after notice and opportunity for public comment; and
``(B) with the approval of the Joint Committee on Printing.
``(2) An officer or employee of the Government Publishing Office
may not make a reprisal or threat of reprisal against another officer
or employee of the Government Publishing Office because of comments on
a proposed regulation about the system.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The table of sections for
chapter 3 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 306 the following:
``306A. Director of the Government Publishing Office; human capital
management system.''.
(c) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section or the amendments made
by this section shall be construed to affect any proceeding or payment
of an award or settlement relating to a claim which is pending on the
effective date of this section under--
(1) title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C.
Sec. 2000e et seq.);
(2) chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code (relating to
Federal service labor-management relations);
(3) an appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board; or
(4) subchapter II, chapter 12, of title 5, United States
Code.
SEC. 9. UPDATE TO PRINT REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 501 of title 44, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 501. Government printing, binding, blank-book work, and
publishing services by the Government Publishing Office
``The Government Publishing Office may perform printing, binding,
blank-book work, and publishing services for Congress, the Executive
Office of the President, the Judiciary, and every executive department,
independent office, and establishment of the Government.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 207(a) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations
Act, 1993 (44 U.S.C. 501 note) is repealed.
(2) The table of sections for chapter 501 of title 44,
United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to
section 501 and inserting the following:
``501. Government printing, binding, blank-book work, and publishing
services by the Government Publishing
Office.''.
SEC. 10. APPLICABILITY.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act and
the amendments made by this Act shall apply on and after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(b) Exceptions.--
(1) Librarian.--
(A) Appointment.--Subsection (a) of section 3 of
the Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act
of 2015, as redesignated and amended by this Act, shall
apply to any appointment to the position of Librarian
of Congress made on or after the date of enactment of
this Act.
(B) Removal.--Subsection (d) of section 3 of the
Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of
2015, as redesignated and amended by this Act, shall
apply with respect to an individual appointed to the
position of Librarian of Congress before, on, or after
the date of enactment of this Act.
(C) Pay.--Subsection (b) of section 904 of the
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1983 (2 U.S.C. 136a-
2), as added by this Act, shall apply on and after the
first day of the first applicable pay period beginning
on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Deputy librarian appointment.--Subsections (a)(1), (b),
and (c) of section 4 of the Librarian of Congress Succession
Modernization Act of 2015, as added by this Act, shall apply to
any appointment to the position of Deputy Librarian of Congress
made on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
(3) Director of gpo.--
(A) Appointment.--Subsection (a)(2) of section 301
of title 44, United States Code, as amended by this
Act, shall apply to any appointment to the position of
Director of the Government Publishing Office made on or
after the date of enactment of this Act.
(B) Removal.--Subsection (d) of section 301 of
title 44, United States Code, as added by this Act,
shall apply with respect to an individual appointed to
the position of Director of the Government Publishing
Office before, on, or after the date of enactment of
this Act.
(C) Pay.--Subsection (b) of section 303 of title
44, United States Code, as added by this Act, shall
apply on and after the first day of the first
applicable pay period beginning on or after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(4) Deputy director of gpo appointment.--Subsections
(b)(1), (c), and (d) of section 302 of title 44, United States
Code, as added by this Act, shall apply to any appointment to
the position of Deputy Director of the Government Publishing
Office made on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
(5) Register of copyrights; subordinate officers and
employees generally.--Section 701(a) of title 17, United States
Code, as amended by this Act, shall apply to any appointment to
the position of Register of Copyrights or to the position of a
subordinate officer or employee of the Copyright Office made on
or after the date of enactment of this Act.
(6) Associate registers of copyrights.--Section 701(f) of
title 17, United States Code, as amended by this Act, shall
apply to any appointment to the position of Associate Register
of Copyrights made on or after the date of enactment of this
Act.
(7) Copyright royalty judges.--Sections 801(a) and
802(d)(1) of title 17, United States Code, as amended by this
Act, shall apply to any appointment to the position of
Copyright Royalty Judge (including the Chief Copyright Royalty
Judge or an interim Copyright Royalty Judge) made on or after
the date of enactment of this Act.
(8) Copyright claims officers.--Section 1502(b)(1) of title
17, United States Code, as amended by this Act, shall apply to
any appointment to the position of Copyright Claims Officer
made on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
(9) Human capital management system for the government
publishing office.--Section 9 and the amendments made by
section 9 shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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 House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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 House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
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