[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3864 Engrossed in House (EH)]
2d Session
H. R. 3864
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend laws authorizing auditing, reporting, and other functions by
the General Accounting Office.
104th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3864
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend laws authorizing auditing, reporting, and other functions by
the General Accounting Office.
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 ``General Accounting Office Act of
1996''.
TITLE I--AMENDMENTS TO LAWS AUTHORIZING AUDITING, REPORTING, AND OTHER
FUNCTIONS BY THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE
SEC. 101. TRANSFERS AND TERMINATIONS OF FUNCTIONS.
(a) In General.--
(1) Functions transferred.--In any case in which a
provision of law authorizing the performance of a function by
the Comptroller General of the United States or the General
Accounting Office is amended by this title to substitute
another Federal officer, employee, or agency in that
authorization, the authority under that provision to perform
that function is transferred to the other Federal officer,
employee, or agency.
(2) Functions terminated.--In any case in which a provision
of law authorizing the performance of a function by the
Comptroller General of the United States or the General
Accounting Office is repealed by this Act, the authority under
that provision to perform that function is terminated.
(3) Delegation of functions.--The Director of the Office of
Management and Budget may delegate, in whole or in part, to any
other agency or agencies any function transferred to or vested
in the Director under section 103(d), 105(b), 116, or 202(n) of
this Act, and may transfer to such agency or agencies any
personnel, budget authority, records, and property received by
the Director pursuant to subsection (b) of this section that
relate to the delegated functions.
(b) Incidental Transfers.--
(1) In general.--Incident to any transfer of authority
under subsection (a)(1), there shall be transferred to the
recipient Federal officer, employee, or agency such personnel,
records, budget authority, and property of the General
Accounting Office as the Comptroller General and the Director
of the Office of Management and Budget jointly determine to be
necessary to effectuate the transfer.
(2) Effect on personnel.--Personnel transferred under this
section shall not be separated or reduced in classification or
compensation for one year after any such transfer, except for
cause.
(c) References.--With respect to any function or authority
transferred under this Act and exercised on or after the effective date
of that transfer, reference in any Federal law to the Comptroller
General or to any officer or employee of the General Accounting Office
is deemed to refer to the Federal officer or agency to which the
function or authority is transferred under this Act.
(d) Savings Provisions.--
(1) Orders and other official actions not affected.--All
orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, grants,
contracts, certificates, licenses, and privileges--
(A) which have been issued, made, granted, or
allowed to become effective by the Comptroller General
or any official of the General Accounting Office, or by
a court of competent jurisdiction, in the performance
of any function or authority transferred under this
Act, and
(B) which are in effect at the time of the
transfer;
shall continue in effect according to their terms until
modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in
accordance with law.
(2) Pending matters and proceedings.--This Act shall not
affect any pending matters or proceedings, including notices of
proposed rulemaking, relating to a function or authority
transferred under this Act. Such matters or proceedings shall
continue under the authority of the agency to which the
function or authority is transferred until completed or
terminated in accordance with law.
(3) Judicial proceedings and causes of actions.--No suit,
action, or other proceeding or cause of action relating to a
function or authority transferred under this Act shall abate by
reason of the enactment of this Act. If, before the date on
which a transfer of a function or authority this Act takes
effect, the Comptroller General of the United States or any
officer or employee of the General Accounting Office in their
official capacity is party to a suit relating to the function
or authority, then such suit shall be continued and the head of
the agency to which the function or authority is transferred,
or other appropriate official of that agency, shall be
substituted or added as a party.
(e) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), this
title shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Exceptions.--Sections 103(d), 105(b), and 116 shall
take effect 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 102. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 2, UNITED STATES CODE (THE
CONGRESS).
(a) Compliance Reporting on Reduction in Employee Positions.--
Section 307(c) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1994
(Public Law 103-69; 107 Stat. 710; 2 U.S.C. 60-1 note) is amended by
striking ``shall'' and inserting ``may''.
(b) Waiver of Erroneous Payments in the Senate.--Section 2(a) of
the Act of July 25, 1974 (Public Law 93-359; 88 Stat. 394; 2 U.S.C.
130c(a)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence by striking ``, if the claim is
not the subject of an exception made by the Comptroller General
in the account of any accountable officer or official''; and
(2) in the third sentence by striking ``shall'' the first
place it appears and inserting ``may''.
(c) Waiver of Erroneous Payments in the House of Representatives.--
Section 3(a) of the Act of July 25, 1974 (Public Law 93-359; 88 Stat.
395; 2 U.S.C. 130d(a)) is amended, in the first sentence, by striking
``, if the claim is not the subject of an exception made by the
Comptroller General in the account of any accountable officer or
official''.
(d) Report on Sequestration of Funds to Meet Deficit Reduction
Goals.--Section 254 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 904) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking:
``30 days later................
GAO compliance report.''; and
(2) in subsection (i), by striking ``On the date specified
in subsection (a)'' and inserting ``Upon request of the
Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives or the
Senate''.
SEC. 103. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE
(GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES).
(a) Transmittal of Reports.--Section 1213(e) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3) by striking the comma after
``President'' and inserting ``and'', and by striking ``, and
the Comptroller General''; and
(2) in paragraph (4) by striking the comma after
``President'' and inserting ``and'', and by striking ``, and
the Comptroller General''.
(b) Withholding of Pay.--Section 5512(b) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``General Accounting Office'' and
inserting ``employing agency''.
(c) Designation of Beneficiary.--Section 5582(a) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by striking the second sentence and inserting
the following: ``An employee may change or revoke a designation at any
time under regulations promulgated--
``(1) by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management
or his designee, in the case of an employee of an executive
agency;
``(2) jointly by the President pro tempore of the Senate
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or their
designee, in the case of an employee of the legislative branch;
and
``(3) by the Chief Justice of the United States or his or
her designee, in the case of an employee of the judicial
branch.''.
(d) Waiver of Erroneous Payments.--Section 5584 of title 5, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``Comptroller
General of the United States'' and inserting
``authorized official''; and
(B) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``and'' at the
end of subparagraph (A), by striking subparagraph (B),
by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B),
and by striking ``Comptroller General'' in subparagraph
(B) (as so redesignated) and inserting ``authorized
official'';
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ``Comptroller General''
and inserting ``authorized official''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(g) For the purpose of this section, the term `authorized
official' means--
``(1) the head of an agency, with respect to an agency or
employee in the legislative branch; or
``(2) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget,
with respect to any other agency or employee.''.
(e) Regulations and Reports.--Section 5707(b)(1)(A) of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``the Comptroller General of
the United States,''.
(f) GAO Audit of Agency Compliance.--Section 5(b) of the Hotel and
Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-391; 5 U.S.C. 5707 note)
is repealed.
(g) Procedures for Deposit of Employees' Contributions to
Retirement Funds.--Sections 8334(a)(2), 8422(c), and 8432(f) of title
5, United States Code, are each amended by striking ``Comptroller
General of the United States'' and inserting ``Secretary of the
Treasury''.
(h) Transmittal of Copy of Report on the Civil Service Retirement
and Disability Fund.--Section 8348(l) of title 5, United States Code,
is amended by striking the last sentence in paragraph (1).
(i) Transmittal of Copy of Report on the Thrift Savings Fund.--
Section 8438(h) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking
``and the Comptroller General of the United States'' in the last
sentence of paragraph (1).
(j) Receipt of Copy of CPA Examination of Thrift Savings Fund.--
Section 8439(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``and the Comptroller General of the United States''.
SEC. 104. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 7, UNITED STATES CODE
(AGRICULTURE).
(a) Audit of Washington Family Independence Demonstration
Project.--Section 21(g) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
2030(g)) is amended by striking ``shall'' and inserting ``may''.
(b) Reports on Amounts Obligated and Expended by Department of
Agriculture for Advisory Services.--Section 641 of the Rural
Development, Agriculture, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1990
(7 U.S.C. 2207a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``(1)'' after ``(a)'';
(B) by striking ``shall (A) submit'' and inserting
``shall submit''; and
(C) by striking ``, and (B) transmit a copy of such
report to the Comptroller General of the United
States'';
(2) by striking subsection (b);
(3) by redesignating paragraph (2) of subsection (a) as
subsection (b); and
(4) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)--
(A) by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting
``subsection (a)''; and
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and
(C) as paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively.
SEC. 105. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 10, UNITED STATES CODE (ARMED FORCES).
(a) Waiver of Recovery of Erroneous Annuity Payments.--Sections
1442 and 1453 of title 10, United States Code, are amended by striking
``and the Comptroller General''.
(b) Waiver of Recovery of Erroneous Overpayments.--Section 2774 of
such title is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Comptroller
General'' and inserting ``Director of the Office of
Management and Budget''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and'' at the
end of subparagraph (A), striking subparagraph (B),
redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B), and
in that subparagraph (as so redesignated), striking
``Comptroller General'' and inserting ``Director of the
Office of Management and Budget''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``The Comptroller
General'' and inserting ``The Director of the Office of
Management and Budget''.
(c) Certification to Comptroller General of Uncollectability of
Advances.--Section 2777(b)(2)(B) of such title is amended by striking
``to the Comptroller General''.
(d) Maintaining Accounts of Military Departments.--Section 2778 of
such title is repealed, and the table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 165 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to
that section.
(e) Radiograms and Telegrams.--Sections 4592 and 9592 of such title
are amended by striking ``, or may file a claim with the General
Accounting Office for'' in the second sentence and inserting ``of''.
SEC. 106. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 12, UNITED STATES CODE (BANKS
AND BANKING).
(a) Report on Prepurchase and Foreclosure-Prevention Counseling
Demonstration.--Section 106(d) of the Housing and Urban Development Act
of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x(d)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (9);
(2) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``(10)(K)'' and
inserting ``(9)'';
(3) in paragraph (8), by striking ``(for purposes of the
study and report under paragraph (9))''; and
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (10), (11), (12), and (13)
as paragraphs (9), (10), (11), and (12), respectively.
(b) Annual GAO Compliance Audit.--
(1) In general.--Section 141(a)(2) of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 1823
note) is amended by striking ``shall annually audit'' and
inserting ``shall audit, under such conditions as the
Comptroller General determines to be appropriate,''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The heading for paragraph (2) of
section 141(a) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 1823 note) is amended by
striking ``Annual gao'' and inserting ``GAO''.
(c) Quarterly Report on FDIC Compliance with Limits on Outstanding
Obligations.--Section 102 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 1825 note) is amended by striking
subsection (b).
(d) Prompt Corrective Action: GAO Review.--Section 38(k)(5) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831o(k)(5)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(5) GAO review.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall, under such conditions as the Comptroller General
determines to be appropriate, review reports made under
paragraph (1) and recommend improvements in the supervision of
insured depository institutions (including the implementation
of this section).''.
(e) GAO Reports on Risk-based Insurance Premiums, Access to
Association Capital, and Supplemental Premiums.--Section 204(a) of the
Farm Credit Banks and Associations Safety and Soundness Act of 1992
(Public Law 102-552; 106 Stat. 4106; 12 U.S.C. 2277a-4 note) is amended
by striking ``shall'' and inserting ``may''.
(f) Review of Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Guarantee
Fees.--Section 8.10(b)(4) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C.
2279aa-10(b)(4)) is amended--
(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Annual review''
and inserting ``Review''; and
(2) by striking ``shall annually'' and inserting ``may''.
(g) GAO Studies of Appraisals.--
(1) In general.--Section 1112(c) of the Financial
Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12
U.S.C. 3341) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``At the end of
the 18-month period'' and all that follows through
``study'' and inserting ``The Comptroller General of
the United States may conduct, under such conditions as
the Comptroller General determines appropriate,
studies''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``required
under'' and inserting ``referred to in''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The heading for section 1112(c)(1)
of Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act
of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3341(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``Study
required'' and inserting ``GAO studies''.
(h) Audit of Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight.--
Section 1319E of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (12
U.S.C. 4524) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence--
(A) by striking ``shall'' and inserting ``may'';
and
(B) by inserting ``, and any such audit shall be
conducted'' after ``Office''; and
(2) by striking the last sentence.
(i) Sharing of Information.--Section 11(t) of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(t)) is amended by adding at the end of
paragraph (2)(A) the following new clause:
``(vi) The General Accounting Office.''.
SEC. 107. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 15, UNITED STATES CODE (COMMERCE
AND TRADE).
Section 31(b)(1)(B) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act
of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2227(b)(1)(B)) is amended by striking clause (iii).
SEC. 108. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 16, UNITED STATES CODE
(CONSERVATION).
(a) Licenses for Development of Water Resources.--Section 6 of the
Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 799) is amended by striking the last
sentence.
(b) Audit of the Brownsville Wetlands Policy Center.--Section
202(d)(4) of the Brownsville Wetlands Policy Act of 1994 (108 Stat.
338) is repealed.
(c) Audit of Central Utah Project Cost Allocation.--Section 211 of
the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992
(Public Law 102-575) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Comptroller General of the United
States'' and inserting ``Inspector General of the Department of
the Interior''; and
(2) by striking ``in accordance with regulations which the
Comptroller General shall prescribe''.
(d) Report on Glen Canyon Costs and Benefits.--Section 1804 of the
Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 (Public
Law 102-575) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (b); and
(2) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as
subsections (b), (c), and (d), respectively.
SEC. 109. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE (CRIMES
AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE).
(a) Presidential Protection Assistance: Determination of Fair
Market Value of Improvements.--Section 5(b) of the Presidential
Protection Assistance Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-524; 90 Stat. 2476; 18
U.S.C. 3056 note) is amended by striking ``Comptroller General of the
United States'' and inserting ``Director''.
(b) Disputes over Purchase of Prison-Made Products by Federal
Departments.--Section 4124(b) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``Comptroller General of the United States'' and
inserting ``Attorney General''.
SEC. 110. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 19, UNITED STATES CODE (CUSTOMS
DUTIES).
(a) Audits Of the Customs Forfeiture Fund.--Section 613A(e)(2) of
the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1613b(e)(2)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``annual financial''; and
(2) by inserting before the period the following: ``, under
such conditions as the Comptroller General determines
appropriate''.
(b) Report on Businesses Established by Customs Service for
Undercover Operations.--Section 3131(b) of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of
1986 (19 U.S.C. 2081(b)) is amended by striking ``and the Comptroller
General''.
SEC. 111. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 22, UNITED STATES CODE (FOREIGN
RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE).
(a) Accounts of Advances for Operations of the International Joint
Commission on the U.S.-Canada Boundary Waters.--The first section of
the Act of March 2, 1921 (chapter 113; 22 U.S.C. 268b) is amended by
striking ``chiefs of parties'' the first place it appears and all that
follows through ``chiefs of parties'' the next place it appears and
inserting ``chiefs of parties''.
(b) Preparation of Scope of Audit and Review of Audits of Inter-
American Development Bank.--Section 14 of the Inter-American
Development Bank Act (22 U.S.C. 283j-1) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``Comptroller General of
the United States shall prepare for the Secretary of the
Treasury'' and inserting ``Secretary of the Treasury shall
prepare''; and
(2) in subsection (c), in the second sentence, by striking
``shall periodically'' and inserting ``may''.
(c) Reports by the General Accounting Office.--Section 4 of the
Foreign Direct Investment and International Financial Data Improvements
Act of 1990 (22 U.S.C. 3143) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``report required
under'' and inserting ``reports referred to in''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``(b)'' and all that follows
through ``shall submit'' and inserting ``(b) Reports.--
Consistent with the provisions of this section, the
Comptroller General may submit'';
(B) by striking ``Congress, a report'' and
inserting ``Congress reports'';
(C) in paragraph (1) by striking ``the report of
the Secretary of Commerce'' and inserting ``reports
issued by the Secretary of Commerce under section 3'';
and
(D) by striking the last sentence of the
subsection.
SEC. 112. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 25, UNITED STATES CODE
(INDIANS).
(a) Copies of Indian Service Contracts.--Section 7 of the Act of
March 3, 1875 (25 U.S.C. 96), is repealed.
(b) Copies of Indian Service Contract Bids.--Section 3 of the Act
of August 15, 1876 (25 U.S.C. 97), is amended by striking ``; and an
abstract of all bids or proposals received for the supplies or services
embraced in any contract shall be attached to, and filed with, the said
contract when the same is filed in the office of the Second Comptroller
of the Treasury'' and inserting in lieu thereof a period.
SEC. 113. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 26, UNITED STATES CODE (INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE).
Section 7608(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C.
7608(c)(2)), is amended by striking ``and the Comptroller General of
the United States''.
SEC. 114. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 28, UNITED STATES CODE (JUDICIARY
AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE).
Section 2410(e) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by
striking, in the second sentence, ``shall so report to the Comptroller
General who''.
SEC. 115. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 31, UNITED STATES CODE (MONEY
AND FINANCE).
(a) Treatment of Records Containing Banking Agency Information.--
Section 714(d) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking
the last sentence of paragraph (1) and by amending paragraph (2) to
read as follows:
``(2) The Comptroller General shall prevent unauthorized access to
records or property of or used by an agency that the Comptroller
General obtains during an audit.''.
(b) Report on Audits and Confidentiality of Taxpayer Information.--
Section 719 of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (d); and
(2) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), (h), and
(i) as subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively.
(c) Compliance Reporting on Administrative Expenses.--Section
308(c) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1994 (Public Law
103-69; 107 Stat. 710; 31 U.S.C. 1105 note) is amended by striking
``shall'' and inserting ``may''.
(d) Paying Checks and Drafts.--Section 3328 of title 31, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``until the
Comptroller General settles the question'' and inserting
``until the question is settled'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``on settlement by
the Comptroller General''; and
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ``With the approval of
the Comptroller General, the'' and inserting ``The''.
(e) Withholding Checks To Be Sent to Foreign Countries.--Section
3329(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking the
last two sentences and inserting ``The Secretary shall credit the
accounts of the drawer and drawee.''.
(f) Property Returns.--
(1) Repeal.--Section 3531 of title 31, United States Code,
is repealed.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 35 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by striking the item relating to section 3531.
(g) Claims Collection and Compromise.--
(1) In general.--Section 3711 of title 31, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting before the
semicolon the following: ``, except that only the
Comptroller General may compromise a claim arising out
of an exception the Comptroller General makes in the
account of an accountable official'';
(B) by striking subsection (b);
(C) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), and
(f) and the first subsection (g) in order as
subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f); and
(D) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated), by
striking ``and the Comptroller General'' and by
striking ``jointly'' from paragraph (2).
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Section 3701(d) of title 31, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``3711(f)'' and inserting
``3711(e)''.
(B) Section 552a of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``3711(f)'' each place it appears
and inserting ``3711(e)''.
(C) Section 2780(b) of title 10, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``3711(f)'' and inserting
``3711(e)''.
(D) Section 4(d)(6) of the State Department Basic
Authorities Act of 1956 (Chapter 841; 22 U.S.C.
2671(d)(6)) is amended by striking ``3711(f)'' and
inserting ``3711(e)''.
(E) Section 204(f)(1) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 404(f)(1)) is amended by striking
``3711(f)'' and inserting ``3711(e)''.
(h) Audit of Proceeds from Sales of Commemorative Coins.--Section
303 of Public Law 103-186 (31 U.S.C. 5112 note) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Before the end of the 1-year period'' and
all that follows through ``the Comptroller General of the
United States shall'' and inserting ``The Comptroller General
of the United States may''; and
(2) by striking ``sale of such coins'' and inserting ``sale
of commemorative coins''.
(i) Report on Implementation of Intergovernmental Financing.--
Section 6 of the Cash Management Improvement Act of 1990 (31 U.S.C.
6503 note) is repealed.
(j) Consultation on Accounting, Audit and Fiscal Procedures.--
Section 6703(d)(6) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``after consultation with the Comptroller General of the
United States''.
(k) Reviews of Local Partnership Act Program.--Section 6718(b) of
title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking ``shall'' each
place it appears and inserting ``may''.
SEC. 116. AMENDMENT TO TITLE 32, UNITED STATES CODE (NATIONAL GUARD).
Section 716 of title 32, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Comptroller
General'' and inserting ``Director of the Office of
Management and Budget''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and'' at the
end of subparagraph (A), striking subparagraph (B),
redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B), and
in that subparagraph (as so redesignated), striking
``Comptroller General'' and inserting ``Director of the
Office of Management and Budget''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``The Comptroller
General'' and inserting ``The Director of the Office of
Management and Budget''.
SEC. 117. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 33, UNITED STATES CODE
(NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS).
Section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (106
Stat. 4831-4832; 33 U.S.C. 2281 note) is repealed.
SEC. 118. AMENDMENT TO TITLE 37, UNITED STATES CODE (PAY AND ALLOWANCES
OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES).
Section 902(b) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``the General Accounting Office, under the direction of the
Secretary of the Navy, may'' and inserting ``the Secretary of the Navy
may''.
SEC. 119. AMENDMENT TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE (VETERANS'
BENEFITS).
Section 711(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``, upon request of either of such Committees,'' in the first
sentence after ``the Comptroller General shall''.
SEC. 120. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 40, UNITED STATES CODE (PUBLIC
BUILDINGS, PROPERTY, AND WORKS).
(a) Payment of Expenses of Sales from Proceeds.--Section 1 of the
Act of June 8, 1896 (29 Stat. 268; 40 U.S.C. 485a) is amended by
striking ``, as approved by the accounting officers of the Treasury,''.
(b) Furnishing Determinations to the General Accounting Office.--
Section 210(a)(8) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services
Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 490(a)(8)) is amended by striking ``. A copy of
every such determination so made shall be furnished to the General
Accounting Office''.
SEC. 121. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 41, UNITED STATES CODE (PUBLIC
CONTRACTS).
(a) Comptroller General Review of Fraudulent War Contract
Settlements.--Section 16 of the Contract Settlement Act of 1944 (41
U.S.C. 116) is repealed.
(b) Records of War Contract Financing and Terminations.--Section
18(a) of the Contract Settlement Act of 1944 (41 U.S.C. 118(a)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``(1)''; and
(2) by striking ``; and (2) the records in connection
therewith to be transmitted to the General Accounting Office''.
(c) Copies of Contracts and Administrative Determinations.--Section
307(b) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949
(41 U.S.C. 257(b)) is amended by striking the second sentence.
SEC. 122. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 42, UNITED STATES CODE (PUBLIC
HEALTH AND WELFARE).
(a) Consultation on Administrative Expenses of the National
Institutes of Health.--Section 408(a)(3) of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 284c(a)(3)) is amended by striking the last sentence.
(b) Audit of National Foundation for Biomedical Research.--Section
499(n) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290b(n)) is
repealed.
(c) Consultation and Reports on Grants for Transition from
Homelessness.--Section 528 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
290cc-28) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``the Comptroller
General of the United States, and''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``Comptroller General of
the United States in cooperation with the'' and by striking the
comma after ``Administration''.
(d) Consultation and Report on Trauma Care Grants.--Section 1216(a)
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-16(a)) is amended by
striking ``and the Comptroller General of the United States''.
(e) Consultation on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Block
Grants.--Section 1942(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
300x-52(a)) is amended by striking ``and the Comptroller General''.
(f) State Reports on Maternal and Child Health Programs.--Section
506(a)(1) of the Act of August 14, 1935, ch. 531 (42 U.S.C. 706(a)(1))
is amended by striking ``and the Comptroller General''.
(g) Review HHS Calculation of Reimbursement Rate.--Section 4204(b)
of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 1395mm
note) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (4);
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``Taking into account the
recommendations made pursuant to paragraph (4), on'' and
inserting ``On''; and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (4).
(h) Study of Ownership of Providers of Medicare Services by
Referring Physicians.--
(1) Section 6204(e) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 1395nn note) is repealed.
(2) Section 6204(f) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 1395nn note) is amended by striking
``and the Comptroller General''.
(i) Reports on Prescription Drug Pricing.--Section 4401(d) of the
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 1396r-8 note) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by--
(A) striking ``By not later than May 1 of each
year, the'' and inserting ``The'';
(B) striking ``an annual'' and inserting ``a''; and
(C) striking ``retail and''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (6).
(j) Study of Demonstration To Attract Pension Fund Investment in
Affordable Housing.--Section 6 of the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993 (42
U.S.C. 1437f) is amended by--
(1) striking subsection (i); and
(2) redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (i).
(k) Audit of HUD Low-Income Housing Accounts.--Section 10(a)(2) of
the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437h) is amended by--
(1) striking ``annually'';
(2) striking, after ``accounts which'', ``shall'', and
inserting ``may'';
(3) striking ``in accordance with the principles and
procedures applicable to commercial transactions''; and
(4) striking ``, and no other audit shall be required''.
(l) Report on the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.--Section 23(m)
of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437u(m)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``shall'', and inserting ``may'';
and
(B) by striking ``(1) In general.--''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2).
(m) Methodology of Study.--Section 211(B)(f)(2) of Public Law 101-
515, as amended by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of
1994, is amended by striking ``shall serve'' and all that follows
through ``approve'' and inserting ``may serve in an advisory capacity,
may oversee the methodology, and may approve''.
(n) Studies of Incentive Grants for Local Delinquency Prevention
Programs.--Section 5(b) of the Act of November 4, 1992 (42 U.S.C. 5781
note, Public Law 102-586), is amended to read as follows:
``(b) GAO Studies and Reports.--Under such conditions as the
Comptroller General of the United States determines appropriate, the
General Accounting Office may conduct studies and report to Congress on
the effects of the program established by subsection (a) in encouraging
States and units of general local government to comply with the
requirements of part B of title II of the Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5631-5633).''.
(o) Audits of Recipients of Loan Guarantees for Alternative Fuel
Demonstration Facilities.--Section 19(x)(1) of the Federal Nonnuclear
Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5919(x)(1)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``(A)''; and
(2) by striking subparagraph (B).
(p) Report on Use of Subpoena Authority To Get Energy
Information.--Section 502(f) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act
(42 U.S.C. 6382(f)) is repealed.
(q) Consultation with the Secretary of Energy concerning
Termination of Loan Guarantees.--Section 451 of the Energy Conservation
in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6881) is amended, in
subsection (d) and in the first sentence of subsection (e)(1), by
striking ``and the Comptroller General''.
(r) Report on Pollution Control Strategies and Employment Effects
of Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.--Section 812(b) of the Clean Air
Act Amendments of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 7612 note) is repealed.
(s) Report on Energy Conservation by Federal Agencies.--Section
801(c) of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (42 U.S.C.
8287(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1)''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2).
(t) Evaluation of Homeless Assistance Programs.--Section 105 of the
Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11304) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``shall annually'' and inserting ``may'';
and
(2) by striking ``, and submit to the Congress an annual
summary of the status of each program authorized under this
Act''.
(u) Consultation on Accounting, Audit and Fiscal Procedures.--
Section 30203(b)(5) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement
Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13753(b)(5)) is amended by striking ``after
consultation with the Comptroller General of the United States''.
(v) Study of Skilled Nursing Facilities.--Section 6026 of the
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (Public Law 101-239) is
repealed.
(w) Report on Geographic Cost Adjustment for Durable Medical
Equipment.--Section 135(c)(2) of the Social Security Act Amendments of
1994 (Public Law 103-432) is amended--
(1) by striking the dash and ``(A)'' and inserting a comma,
and
(2) by striking ``; and'' and all that follows and
inserting a period.
SEC. 123. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 44, UNITED STATES CODE (PUBLIC
PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS).
(a) Audit of Government Printing Office.--Section 309 of title 44,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
``(d) The Inspector General of the Government Printing Office shall
audit the financial and operational activities of the Government
Printing Office each year. The audits shall be conducted under the
direction of the Joint Committee on Printing. For purposes of the
audits, the Inspector General shall have such access to the records,
files, personnel, and facilities of the Government Printing Office as
the Inspector General considers appropriate. The Inspector General
shall furnish reports of the audits to the Congress and the Public
Printer.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(e) The Public Printer shall prepare an annual financial
statement meeting the requirements of section 3515(b) of title 31,
United States Code. Each financial statement shall be audited in
accordance with applicable generally accepted Government auditing
standards--
``(1) by an independent external auditor selected by the
Public Printer, or
``(2) at the request of the Joint Committee on Printing, by
the Inspector General of the Government Printing Office.
``(f) The Comptroller General of the United States may audit the
financial statement prepared under subsection (e) at his or her
discretion or at the request of the Joint Committee on Printing. An
audit by the Comptroller General shall be in lieu of the audit
otherwise required by that subsection.''.
(b) Publication of Decisions of the Comptroller General.--
(1) Section 1311 of title 44, United States Code, is
repealed.
(2) The table of sections for chapter 13 of title 44,
United States Code, is amended by striking out the item
relating to section 1311.
SEC. 124. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 45, UNITED STATES CODE
(RAILROADS).
Section 1036(f) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency
Act of 1991 (45 U.S.C. 831 note) is amended by striking ``and annually
thereafter,''.
SEC. 125. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 46, UNITED STATES CODE
(SHIPPING).
Section 901(a) of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 (46 U.S.C. App.
1241(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``: Provided, That the Comptroller General
of the United States'' and inserting ``. The Administrator of
General Services shall prescribe regulations under which
agencies''; and
(2) by striking ``credit any allowance'' and inserting
``pay for or reimburse officers or employees''.
SEC. 126. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 47, UNITED STATES CODE
(TELEGRAPHS, TELEPHONES, AND RADIOTELEGRAPHS).
(a) Approve Standards Adopted by the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting for Valuing Volunteer Services.--Section 397(9) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 397(9)) is amended, in the last
sentence--
(1) by striking ``and approved by the Comptroller General
pursuant to section 396(g)(5)''; and
(2) by striking ``with respect to such services provided to
public telecommunications entities after such standards are
approved by the Comptroller General and only''.
(b) Report on Payments by Attorney General to Carriers for
Interception of Communications.--
(1) Section 112(b)(1) of the Communications Assistance for
Law Enforcement Act (47 U.S.C. 1010(b)(1)) is amended by
amending the matter preceding subparagraph (A) to read as
follows:
``(1) On or before April 1, 1996, the Comptroller General
of the United States, and every two years thereafter, the
Inspector General of the Department of Justice, shall submit to
the Congress a report, after consultation with the Attorney
General and the telecommunications industry--''.
(2) Section 112(b)(2) of the Communications Assistance for
Law Enforcement Act (47 U.S.C. 1010(b)(2)) is amended--
(A) after ``include'', by striking ``the''; and
(B) by striking ``of the Comptroller General''.
SEC. 127. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE
(TRANSPORTATION).
(a) Audit of Accounts of Department of Transportation.--Section
5334(c)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking
``the Comptroller General shall'' and inserting ``for''.
(b) Report on Mass Transportation Needs.--Sections 5335(c) and
5335(d) of title 49, United States Code, are each amended by striking
``and in January of every 2d year after 1993''.
(c) Audit of Financial Assistance for Local Rail Freight Service.--
Section 22107(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``and the Comptroller General''.
(d) Transportation by Foreign Air Carriers.--Section 40118(c) of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``Comptroller
General shall'' and inserting ``Administrator of General Services shall
prescribe regulations under which agencies may''.
(e) Audit of Aviation Insurance Offered by Department of
Transportation.--Section 44308(e) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``. The Comptroller General shall audit those
accounts'' and inserting ``for audit''.
(f) Audit of Financial Assistance for Airport and Airway
Development.--Section 47121(c) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``Comptroller
General'' and inserting ``Secretary'';
(2) in the second sentence--
(A) by striking ``Not later than April 15 of each
year, the'', and inserting ``The''; and
(B) by striking ``shall'' and inserting ``may'';
and
(3) by striking the third sentence.
(g) Study of Enhanced Procurement Authority for Federal Aviation
Administration.--Section 9206 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
of 1990 (Public Law 101-508) is repealed.
SEC. 128. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 50, UNITED STATES CODE (WAR AND
NATIONAL DEFENSE).
(a) Audit of Termination Payments on Contracts for Certain Air
Defense Systems.--Section 1 of the Act of March 30, 1949 (62 Stat. 17;
50 U.S.C. 491), is amended in the third sentence of the second
paragraph--
(1) by striking ``no termination payment shall be final
until audited and approved by'';
(2) by striking ``which'' after ``General Accounting
Office''; and
(3) by inserting ``of audit'' after ``purpose''.
(b) Determinations of Entitlement to War Claim Awards.--Section
213(d) of the War Claims Act of 1948 (50 U.S.C. App. 2017l(d)) is
amended by striking ``Comptroller General'' and inserting ``Secretary
of the Treasury''.
(c) Foreign Policy Controls: Consultation with Congress.--Section
6(f)(3) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App.
2405(f)(3)) is amended by striking the second sentence.
SEC. 129. AMENDMENT RELATING TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Section 145 of the District of Columbia Retirement Reform Act (sec.
1-725, D.C. Code) is amended as follows:
(1) In subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``(1)'',
(ii) by striking ``and the Comptroller
General'', and
(iii) by striking ``each'' the first and
third places it appears; and
(B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) In subsection (c)(1), by striking ``Comptroller General
pursuant to subsection (b)'' and inserting ``enrolled actuary
pursuant to subsection (a)''.
(3) In subsection (c)(3)(A)--
(A) by striking ``Comptroller General pursuant to
subsection (b)'' and inserting ``enrolled actuary
pursuant to subsection (a)'';
(B) by striking ``and the Comptroller General'';
and
(C) by striking ``of the Comptroller General''.
(4) In subsection (c)(3)(B), by striking ``the Comptroller
General, the Board,'' and inserting ``the Board''.
(5) In subsection (c)(3)(C)(1)--
(A) by striking ``The Comptroller General, on the
basis of such reports from the Board and'' and
inserting ``The Board, on the basis of such reports
from'';
(B) by striking ``The Comptroller General shall
report the amount of such reduction so caused to the
Board and'' and inserting ``The Board shall report the
amount of such reduction so caused''; and
(C) by striking ``he receives'' and inserting ``the
Board receives''.
(6) In subsection (c)(3)(C)(2), by striking ``by the
Comptroller General''.
TITLE II--CONFORMING AMEND- MENTS TO ENACT TRANSFERS AND DELEGATIONS OF
FUNCTIONS UNDER OTHER LAWS
SEC. 201. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this title is to amend provisions of law to reflect,
update, and enact transfers and subsequent delegations of functions
made under section 211 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act,
1996 (Public Law 104-53, 109 Stat. 535), as in effect immediately
before this title takes effect.
SEC. 202. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Claims for Proceeds From Sale of Household and Personal
Effects.--Section 5564(h) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``General Accounting Office'' each place it appears and
inserting ``Administrator of General Services''.
(b) Settlement of Accounts of Deceased Employees.--Section 5583 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ``Comptroller General of
the United States'' and inserting ``Director of the Office of
Personnel Management''; and
(2) in subsection (b) by striking the first sentence and
inserting: ``The Director may by regulation prescribe the
method for settlement of accounts payable under subsection (a)
of this section.''.
(c) Remission of Liquidated Damages.--Section 2312 of title 10,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``Comptroller General'' and
inserting ``Secretary of the Treasury''.
(d) Disposition of Unclaimed Property.--Section 2575(d) of title
10, United States Code, is amended by striking ``Comptroller General of
the United States'' both places it appears and inserting ``Secretary of
Defense''.
(e) Payment of Claims.--Sections 2733(d) and 2734(d) of title 10,
United States Code, are amended by striking ``Comptroller General'' and
inserting ``Secretary of the Treasury''.
(f) Settlement of Accounts of Deceased Members.--Section 2771(c) of
title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Payments under subsection (a) shall be made by the Secretary
of Defense.''.
(g) Disposition of Effects of Deceased Members.--Sections 4712 and
9712 of title 10, United States Code, are amended by striking
subsection (g).
(h) Settlement of International Claims.--Section 7 of the
International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 (22 U.S.C. 1626) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``Comptroller
General'' and inserting ``Secretary of the Treasury'';
and
(B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``Comptroller
General of the United States'' and inserting
``Secretary of the Treasury''; and
(2) in subsection (d) by striking ``, or the Comptroller
General of the United States, as the case may be,''.
(i) Estates of Decedents.--Section 1709 of the Revised Statutes (22
U.S.C. 4195) is amended--
(1) by striking ``General Accounting Office'' each place it
appears and inserting ``Department of State'';
(2) in the penultimate paragraph--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking
``Comptroller General of the United States, or such
member of the General Accounting Office as he may duly
empower to act as his representative for the purpose,''
and inserting ``Secretary of State or the Secretary's
representative''; and
(B) by striking ``Comptroller General'' and
inserting ``Secretary of State''; and
(3) in the last paragraph--
(A) by striking ``office'' and inserting
``department''; and
(B) by striking ``Comptroller General'' and
inserting ``Secretary of State''.
(j) Disposition of Effects of Deceased Armed Forces Retirement Home
Residents.--Section 1520 of the Armed Forces Retirement Home Act of
1991 (24 U.S.C. 420) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(C)--
(A) by striking ``Comptroller General of the United
States'' in the second sentence and inserting
``Secretary of Defense''; and
(B) by striking ``Comptroller General'' in the
third sentence and inserting ``Secretary''; and
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking ``Comptroller General of the United
States'' in paragraph (1) and inserting ``Secretary of
Defense''; and
(B) by striking ``Comptroller General'' in
paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting ``Secretary''.
(k) Payment of Judgments and Compromise Settlements.--Section 2414
of title 28, United States Code, is amended in the first paragraph by
striking ``General Accounting Office'' each place it appears and
inserting ``Secretary of the Treasury''.
(l) Payment of Judgments.--Section 2517(a) of title 28, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``General Accounting Office'' and
inserting ``Secretary of the Treasury''.
(m) Judgment Fund Certifications.--Section 1304 of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``Comptroller General'' each place
it appears and inserting ``Secretary of the Treasury''.
(n) Claims Settlement.--
(1) In general.--Section 3702 of title 31, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in the heading by striking ``of the Comptroller
General'';
(B) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) Except as provided in this chapter or another law, all claims
of or against the United States Government shall be settled as follows:
``(1) The Secretary of Defense shall settle--
``(A) claims involving uniformed service members'
pay, allowances, travel, transportation, retired pay,
and survivor benefits; and
``(B) claims by transportation carriers involving
amounts collected from them for loss or damage incurred
to property incident to shipment at Government expense.
``(2) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management
shall settle claims involving Federal civilian employees'
compensation and leave.
``(3) The Administrator of General Services shall settle
claims involving expenses incurred by Federal civilian
employees for official travel and transportation, and for
relocation expenses incident to transfers of official duty
station.
``(4) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget
shall settle claims not otherwise provided for by this
subsection or another provision of law.'';
(C) in subsection (b)(1), by amending that portion
of the second sentence preceding subparagraph (A) to
read ``The claim must be received by the official
responsible under subsection (a) for settling the claim
or by the agency that conducts the activity from which
the claim arises within 6 years after the claim accrues
except--'';
(D) in subsection (b)(2) by striking ``presented to
the Comptroller General'' and inserting ``received'',
and by striking ``clause'' and inserting ``paragraph'';
(E) by amending subsection (b)(3) to read as
follows:
``(3) A claim that is not received in the time required under this
subsection shall be returned with a copy of this subsection, and no
further communication is required.''; and
(F) in subsection (d), by striking ``Comptroller
General'' the first place it appears and inserting
``official responsible under subsection (a) for
settling the claim''; and by striking ``Comptroller
General'' every other place it appears and inserting
``official''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--Chapter 37 of title 31, United
States Code, is amended in the table of sections at the
beginning of the chapter, by amending the item relating to
section 3702 to read as follows:
``3702. Authority to settle claims.''.
(o) Transportation Claims.--Section 3726 of title 31, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (f) by striking ``and the Comptroller
General prescribe jointly'' and inserting ``prescribes''; and
(2) in subsection (g)(1) by striking ``Comptroller
General'' and inserting ``Administrator of General Services''.
(p) Setoff Against Judgments.--Section 3728 of title 31, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ``Comptroller General''
the first place it appears and inserting ``Secretary of the
Treasury''; and
(2) by striking ``Comptroller General'' each place it
appears thereafter and inserting ``Secretary''.
(q) Settlement of Accounts of Deceased Members.--Section 714(c) of
title 32, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``Comptroller
General'' and inserting ``Secretary concerned''; and
(2) by striking the second sentence.
(r) Payment of Claims Relating to National Guard Activities.--
Section 715(d) of title 32, United States Code, is amended by striking
``Comptroller General'' and inserting ``Secretary of the Treasury''.
(s) Claims for Net Proceeds from Sales of Household and Personal
Effects.--Section 554(h) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``General Accounting Office'' each place it appears and
inserting ``Secretary of Defense''.
(t) Cancellation of Checks Mailed to Deceased Payees.--Section 5122
of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``upon
settlement by the General Accounting Office''.
(u) Waiver of Liquidated Damages.--Section 10(a) of the Act of
September 5, 1950 (64 Stat. 591; 41 U.S.C. 256a), is amended by
striking ``Comptroller General'' and inserting ``Secretary of the
Treasury''.
SEC. 203. REPEAL.
Section 211 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996
(Public Law 104-53; 109 Stat. 535) is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 211. Personnel transferred pursuant to this section, as in
effect immediately before the effective date of section 303 of the
General Accounting Office Act of 1996, shall not be separated or
reduced in classification or compensation for one year after any such
transfer, except for cause.''.
SEC. 204. AUTHORITY TO RENDER DECISIONS.
Section 3529(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Comptroller General shall'' and
inserting ``(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Comptroller General shall''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) A decision requested under this section concerning a function
transferred to or vested in the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget under section 211(a) of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 1996 (109 Stat. 535), as in effect immediately
before the effective date of title II of the General Accounting Office
Act of 1996, or under this Act, shall be issued--
``(A) by the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget, except as provided in subparagraph (B); or
``(B) in the case of a function delegated by the Director
to another agency, by the head of the agency to which the
function was delegated.''.
Passed the House of Representatives September 4, 1996.
Attest:
Clerk.