Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act

This bill, the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act , significantly overhauls the appointment and removal processes for the Librarian of Congress and the Director of the Government Publishing Office (GPO) . It eliminates the requirement for Senate confirmation for these roles, instead vesting appointment and removal authority in a congressional commission comprising oversight committee leadership and House and Senate leadership. This commission will select officers from a list of three candidates recommended by oversight committee leadership, and can remove them by majority vote, aiming to enhance congressional oversight. The bill also establishes or modifies the appointment of Deputy Librarian of Congress and Deputy Director of the GPO . These deputies are primarily appointed by their respective agency heads, but if an appointment is not made within 120 days, congressional leadership will intervene. They are designated to serve as acting heads during vacancies or absences, ensuring operational continuity. A significant provision makes the Copyright Office largely independent from the Library of Congress's supervisory authority. The Register of Copyrights will now be appointed by the President with Senate advice and consent, but only after a joint recommendation of three individuals from key House and Senate committees. The Register must be a U.S. citizen with copyright law expertise and will serve a 10-year term, renewable for 5-year terms. To further enhance accountability, an independent Office of Inspector General (OIG) is established within the Copyright Office. This OIG will conduct audits and investigations, reporting directly to the Register but with independence from interference in its work, and will possess law enforcement authority with safeguards. Its budget request will be included in the Copyright Office's budget without alteration by the Register, ensuring financial independence. Additionally, the bill applies the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to the GPO and mandates a new human capital management system for the agency, based on merit principles and prohibiting discriminatory practices. The legislation also updates the GPO's authority to "may perform" printing services for government entities and ratifies past Copyright Office actions.