Committee on House Administration, Judiciary Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
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.
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Timeline
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.
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.
Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act
USA119th CongressHR-10204| House
| Updated: 9/1/2026
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.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
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.
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.