[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H9940-H9950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE ACT OF 1996

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3864) to reform the management practices of the General 
Accounting Office, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3864

       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     Accounting Office is repealed by this Act, the authority 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,

[[Page H9941]]

     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:

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

[[Page H9942]]

     (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''.

[[Page H9943]]

     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--

[[Page H9944]]

       (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.

[[Page H9945]]

     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

[[Page H9946]]

       (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.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman for Ohio 
[Mr. LaTourette] and the gentlewoman from New York [Mrs. Maloney] each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. LaTourette].
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the General Accounting Office has provided the U.S. 
Congress and the American people with information about the operation 
of the Federal Government since 1921. Since that time, the GAO has 
investigated, audited and testified about nearly every topic under the 
Sun. When Members of Congress need accurate, objective facts, they turn 
to the capable work of the auditors and investigators at the GAO.
  However, many things have changed since 1921. Title I of this bill 
eliminates over 100 statutory mandates that Congress has previously 
imposed upon the GAO. Most of these mandates are auditing and reporting 
requirements that no longer represent the most effective use of the 
GAO's limited resources.
  The bill also transfers certain executive-type functions from the GAO 
to the Office of Management and Budget and other executive branch 
agencies which are better suited to perform these functions.
  The GAO has undergone a 25-percent reduction in its budget over the 
last 2 years. Enactment of H.R. 3864 will help the GAO deal with the 
effects of this large budget reduction.
  GAO officials have estimated that relieving the agencies of the 
mandates covered by this bill will result in a savings of between $7 to 
$10 million, which can be applied against the budget reductions already 
made. The Congressional Budget Office has also estimated that the 
enactment of this bill will result in a savings consistent with the 25-
percent reduction in GAO's budget.
  The amendments to H.R. 3864 conform the bill to the version reported 
by the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. A list of the 
mandates that are included in this bill was circulated for review by 
all chairs and ranking members of each House committee having 
jurisdiction over them. There were no objections to the repeals and 
transfers now contained in the bill.

                              {time}  1315

  Finally, H.R. 3864 has been reviewed by OMB, and no objections were 
raised. Title I of the bill makes conforming amendments to provisions 
of law that reflect transfer of GAO functions to other agencies enacted 
last year by section 211 of the fiscal year 1996 Legislative Branch 
Appropriations Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record with my remarks a section-by-
section analysis of the bills.

                Section-by-Section Analysis of H.R. 3864

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       Section 1 provides that the bill 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

       In general
       Title I eliminates over 100 existing statutory mandates 
     affecting the General Accounting Office (GAO) that do not 
     represent the most efficient and effective use of GAO's 
     limited resources. Most of the provisions of title I fall 
     into one of the following two categories:
       Elimination of ``executive'' type functions. These 
     provisions relieve GAO of statutory functions that do not 
     further GAO's current mission and are more appropriate for 
     performance by the Executive Branch. Functions that are still 
     relevant to government operations are transferred to 
     Executive Branch agencies. Certain obsolete functions are 
     repealed.
       Elimination of auditing and reporting mandates. These 
     provisions relieve GAO of statutory auditing and reporting 
     requirements, while preserving GAO's authority to conduct the 
     audit pursuant to a specific Congressional request or at its 
     own initiative. Thus, the provisions give GAO flexibility to 
     apply its resources where they are most needed.
       Title I includes a number of other provisions that will 
     enhance the efficiency of GAO's operations, and eliminate 
     unnecessary paperwork requirements for GAO as well as 
     Executive Branch agencies. For example, title I eliminates a 
     number of mandates for Executive agencies to submit copies of 
     information to GAO where GAO is not required to take action 
     with respect to the information and could readily obtain the 
     information if needed.
       The provisions of title I, described below, are organized 
     by the location of the affected statutory mandates in the 
     United States Code.

     SEC. 101. TRANSFERS AND TERMINATIONS OF FUNCTIONS.

       Section 101 contains standard transition, incidental 
     transfer, and savings provisions relating to those functions 
     transferred from GAO to Executive Branch agencies. Among 
     other things, it authorizes the Director of the Office of 
     Management and Budget (OMB) to delegate to other Executive 
     agencies functions transferred to OMB.

     SEC. 102. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 2, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Subsection (a) makes discretionary rather than mandatory 
     GAO reports on reductions in Congressional staff levels.
       Subsection (b) makes discretionary rather than mandatory 
     GAO investigations of applications for waiver of recovery of 
     overpayments to Senate employees that exceed $1,500. It also 
     deletes the limitation on the Secretary of the Senate's 
     authority to grant waiver when there is an exception by GAO. 
     GAO rarely, if ever, conducts the type of voucher audits that 
     could lead to exceptions. If there was such an exception, the 
     Secretary would still be free to take it into account when 
     deciding whether waiver is appropriate.
       Subsection (c) deletes a limitation on the authority of the 
     Speaker of the House to waive claims against House employees 
     arising out of erroneous payments of pay and allowances if 
     the claim is the subject of a GAO exception.
       Subsection (d) deletes a requirement that GAO report within 
     30 days on whether each budget sequestration order by the 
     President is necessary, and whether the order and any related 
     reports are in compliance with the law. The amendment 
     requires GAO to make the compliance report only when asked to 
     do so by either the Senate or House Budget Committee.

     SEC. 103. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Subsection (a) deletes the requirement for the Special 
     Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board to send copies 
     of certain documents to GAO.
       Subsection (b) deletes a requirement that GAO report to the 
     Attorney General on certain balances owed to the government 
     by Federal employees. The amendment substitutes the employing 
     agency for GAO.

[[Page H9947]]

       Subsection (c) transfers from GAO to the Office of 
     Personnel Management (OPM) responsibility to prescribe 
     regulations governing how Federal employees designate 
     beneficiaries to receive money due to them in the event of 
     their deaths.
       Subsection (d) transfers from GAO to OMB responsibility to 
     issue regulations and make determinations concerning waivers 
     of recovery of erroneous payments of pay and allowances to 
     Federal civilian employees.
       Subsection (e) eliminates the requirement that GAO consult 
     with the Administrator of General Services on annual reports 
     concerning the cost of official travel, including the use of 
     privately owned vehicles by Federal employees on official 
     business.
       Subsection (f) eliminates the mandate for annual GAO 
     reports on Federal agency compliance with requirements that 
     Federal employees on temporary duty use lodgings that meet 
     fire and safety standards.
       Subsection (g) transfers from GAO to the Secretary of the 
     Treasury responsibility for prescribing procedures for the 
     deposit in the Treasury of Federal employee contributions to 
     the Civil Service Retirement Fund.
       Subsection (h) deletes the requirement that the Secretary 
     of the Treasury send GAO copies of reports to the Congress on 
     the operation and status of the Civil Service Retirement and 
     Disability Fund.
       Subsection (i) deletes the requirement that the Secretary 
     of the Treasury send GAO copies of reports to the Congress on 
     the operation and status of the Thrift Savings Fund.
       Subsection (j) deletes the requirement that copies of 
     annual financial audits of the Thrift Savings Fund by a 
     qualified public accountant be sent to GAO.

     SEC. 104. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 7, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Subsection (a) makes discretionary rather than mandatory 
     GAO audits and reports on the operation of the Washington 
     Family Independence Demonstration Project.
       Subsection (b) eliminates the requirement that GAO receive 
     and review annual reports to Congress by the Secretary of 
     Agriculture on expenditures by the Department for procurement 
     of advisory and assistance services.

     SEC. 105. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 10, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) deletes the requirement that GAO determine, 
     jointly with the secretary of the military service concerned, 
     whether waiver of recovery is appropriate for overpayments of 
     beneficiaries of service members under the Retired 
     Serviceman's Family Protection Plan or the Survivor Benefit 
     Plan.
       Subsection (b) transfers from GAO to OMB responsibility to 
     issue regulations and make determinations concerning waivers 
     of recovery of erroneous payments of pay and allowances to 
     members of the uniformed services.
       Subsection (c) deletes the requirement that the head of a 
     military department transmit to GAO certifications that 
     uncollected advances in military financial accounts are 
     uncollectible and should be written off.
       Subsection (d) deletes requirements that GAO maintain 
     accounts related to receipts and expenditures of the military 
     departments, and that GAO submit annual and other reports to 
     the Secretary of the Treasury on such accounts.
       Subsection (e) repeals GAO's responsibility to settle 
     claims by commercial telegraph or radio companies to collect 
     forwarding charges owed them in connection with their 
     cooperation with Army and Air Force communications 
     activities.

     SEC. 106. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 12, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) deletes the mandate that GAO conduct a study 
     of a demonstration project to test the effectiveness of 
     counseling in preventing defaults and foreclosures on FHA-
     insured loans.
       Subsection (b) eliminates the mandate for annual GAO audits 
     of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the 
     Resolution Trust Corporation to determine their compliance 
     with least cost resolution requirements.
       Subsection (c) eliminates the mandate that GAO report on 
     compliance by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation with 
     obligation limits and repayment requirements after each 
     calendar quarter in which FDIC has certain obligations 
     outstanding.
       Subsection (d) eliminates the requirement that GAO review 
     annually all reports of material losses to deposit insurance 
     funds.
       Subsection (e) eliminates the requirement that GAO evaluate 
     and report on the feasibility and appropriateness of 
     authorizing the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation to 
     establish a risk-based insurance premium structure, to 
     collect supplemental premiums, and to assess associations.
       Subsection (f) deletes the requirement for annual GAO 
     audits on the actuarial soundness and reasonableness of loan 
     guarantee fees established by the Federal Agricultural 
     Mortgage Corporation.
       Subsection (g) eliminates requirements for GAO to conduct 
     studies and issue reports on the adequacy and quality of real 
     estate appraisals used by financial institutions for certain 
     real estate-related transactions.
       Subsection (h) eliminates requirements for GAO to audit the 
     operations of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise 
     Oversight.
       Subsection (i) adds language to section 11(t) of the 
     Federal Deposit Insurance Act to reaffirm that a banking 
     agency does not waive litigation privileges by providing 
     information to GAO. It appears that GAO is an ``agency'' as 
     defined in 18 U.S.C. 6, and, therefore, already is covered by 
     section 11(t) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. By 
     explicitly referring to GAO in section 11(t), the amendment 
     removes any question that may exist.

     SEC. 107. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 15, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Section 107 eliminates the requirement that GAO report on 
     certifications that Federal funds may be used to build or buy 
     certain office space that is not protected by an automatic 
     sprinkler system or the equivalent because no suitable 
     building is available at an affordable cost.

     SEC. 108. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 16, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) eliminates the requirement that copies of 
     certain licenses issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory 
     Commission be deposited with GAO.
       Subsection (b) repeals the requirement that GAO report 
     periodically on the operations of the Brownsville Wetlands 
     Policy Center.
       Subsection (c) eliminates requirements that GAO report on 
     the allocation of costs of the Central Utah Project, and that 
     GAO prescribes regulations for conducting audits. The 
     amendment transfers responsibility for the report to the 
     Inspector General of the Department of the Interior and 
     deletes the requirement for regulations.
       Subsection (d) eliminates the requirement for GAO to audit 
     and report on the costs and benefits of management policies 
     and operations of the Glen Canyon Dam.

     SEC. 109. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 18, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) eliminates the requirement that GAO 
     determine whether improvements to non-government property at 
     public expense, for the purpose of protecting the President 
     or anyone else entitled to Secret Service protection, have 
     increased the property's fair market value. The amendment 
     transfers this responsibility to the Director of the Secret 
     Service.
       Subsection (b) deletes the requirement that the Comptroller 
     General serve as a member of a board that settles disputes 
     over purchases of Federal Prison Industry Products by Federal 
     agencies. The amendment leaves the Attorney General, the 
     Administrator of General Services, and the President, or 
     their representatives, as members.

     SEC. 110. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 19, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) eliminates the requirement that GAO conduct 
     annual financial audits of the Customs Forfeiture Fund.
       Subsection (b) eliminates the requirement that the Customs 
     Service report to GAO on the sale or other disposition of a 
     business entity used by the Customs Service as part of an 
     undercover investigation. It retains the requirement that 
     such reports be made to the Secretary of the Treasury.

     SEC. 111. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 22, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) eliminates the requirement that accounts on 
     advances of appropriated funds made to the U.S. Commissioner 
     serving on the International Joint Commission on the U.S.-
     Canada Boundary Waters be submitted to GAO.
       Subsection (b) eliminates the requirements for GAO to 
     prepare, for the Secretary of the Treasury, the scope of the 
     audit and the auditing and reporting standards for use in 
     connection with audits of the Inter-American Development 
     Bank, and to periodically review the audits.
       Subsection (c) eliminates the requirement that GAO review 
     and report annually on the first three of the Commerce 
     Department's annual reports concerning direct foreign 
     investment in the United States.

     SEC. 112. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 25, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) eliminates the requirement that copies of 
     contracts entered into for the Indian Service be sent to GAO. 
     (The functions of the former Indian Service are now vested in 
     the Secretary of the Interior.)
       Subsection (b) eliminates the requirement that copies of 
     abstracts of bids or proposals on any contract in connection 
     with activities of the Indian Service be filed with GAO.

     SEC. 113. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 26, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Section 113 eliminates the requirement that the 
     Commissioner of Internal Revenue report to GAO on the sale or 
     other disposition of a business entity used by IRS as part of 
     an undercover investigation. It retains the requirement that 
     such reports be made to the Secretary of the Treasury.

     SEC. 114. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 28, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Section 114 eliminates GAO's responsibility to issue 
     certificates releasing property liens in favor of the United 
     States.

     SEC. 115. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 31, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) deletes the requirement that certain records 
     obtained by GAO in conducting audits of Federal banking 
     agencies be stored at banking agency locations. This 
     eliminates a barrier to consolidating GAO's banking agency 
     auditors at the GAO headquarters building--a move that would 
     result in cost savings and greater efficiency in 
     operations. Existing statutory requirements to ensure that 
     GAO safeguards sensitive banking information are retained.
       Subsection (b) eliminates the requirement that GAO report 
     annually on: procedures prescribed to protect the 
     confidentiality of tax return information; the scope and 
     subject matter of GAO audits of the Internal

[[Page H9948]]

     Revenue Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and 
     Firearms; and the findings, conclusions, and recommendations 
     of such audits.
       Subsection (c) deletes the mandate that GAO report on 
     compliance with requirements for reductions in administrative 
     costs in the Legislative Branch.
       Subsection (d) eliminates the requirement that the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, when on notice of a question of 
     law or fact about a check drawn on the Treasury, defer 
     payment of the check until GAO settles the question. It also 
     repeals the requirement for GAO approval of Treasury 
     regulations on payment of government checks and drafts.
       Subsection (e) eliminates the requirements that the 
     Secretary of the Treasury send to GAO government checks 
     intended to be sent to foreign countries on which the 
     Secretary withholds payment, and that GAO credit the accounts 
     of the drawer and the drawee for the amount of the check. The 
     amendment transfers the check-crediting function to the 
     Secretary of the Treasury.
       Subsection (f) repeals the requirement that when the head 
     of an Executive department determines that an accountable 
     officer should be held liable for the loss of government 
     property, the department head must certify the charge to GAO 
     in order for GAO to charge the appropriate account for the 
     amount of the loss. This provision of existing law reflects a 
     method of accounting for losses that has been superseded.
       Subsection (g) eliminates the Comptroller General's 
     responsibility to prescribe, with the Attorney General claims 
     collection standards governing collection and compromise of 
     claims in favor of the Federal Government. The amendment 
     leaves authority for the standards with the Attorney General.
       Subsection (h) deletes the mandate for GAO to audit the 
     payment to private recipients of surcharges assigned to them 
     by law from sales of commemorative coins, and the use and 
     expenditure of the money by the private recipients.
       Subsection (i) eliminates the requirement for GAO to report 
     on the implementation of the Cash Management Improvement Act 
     of 1990.
       Subsection (j) eliminates the requirement that the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development consult with GAO 
     on guidelines for accounting, audit, and fiscal procedures to 
     be used by local governments to qualify for crime prevention 
     grants.
       Subsection (k) eliminates the requirement for GAO to review 
     activities of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
     to evaluate compliance with requirements of the crime 
     prevention block grant program under the Violent Crime and 
     Law Enforcement Act of 1994.

     SEC. 116. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 32, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Section 116 transfers from GAO to OMB responsibility to 
     issue regulations and make determinations concerning waivers 
     of recovery of erroneous payments of pay and allowances to 
     National Guard personnel.

     SEC. 117. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 33, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Section 117 deletes the requirement that GAO report and 
     make recommendations on how to improve the equitable 
     distribution of water resources development projects in rural 
     areas, and on giving greater emphasis to benefits assumed to 
     result from such projects.

     SEC. 118. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 37, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Section 118 deletes the requirement that the Comptroller 
     General, under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy, 
     fix the date of loss of naval vessels that are presumed lost, 
     for purposes of settling accounts of certain persons aboard 
     the vessels.

     SEC. 119. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Section 119 eliminates the mandate that GAO report on any 
     plan by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for a systematic 
     reduction of the number of Department employees at a specific 
     grade level. The amendment provides that such a report is 
     required only when requested by either the Senate or House 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

     SEC. 120. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 40, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Subsection (a) deletes the requirement that GAO approve the 
     payment of expenses incurred in connection with the sale of 
     public property.
       Subsection (b) deletes the requirement that the 
     Administrator of General Services send to GAO copies of 
     determinations to exceed the statutory limit that otherwise 
     applies to expenditures for repair or improvement of rented 
     property.

     SEC. 121. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 41, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Subsection (a) repeals requirements that GAO review 
     termination settlements with war contractors; report to 
     agencies on settlements that may have been induced by fraud; 
     and report to Congress on agency settlement procedures.
       Subsection (b) eliminates the requirement that the 
     Administrator of General Services send to GAO records 
     prepared in connection with termination settlements with war 
     contractors.
       Subsection (c) eliminates the requirement that the 
     Executive Branch officials send GAO copies of their 
     determinations to omit the GAO access-to-records clause from 
     negotiated contracts and determinations to make advance 
     payments to contractors.

     SEC. 122. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 42, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) deletes the requirement that the Secretary 
     of Health and Human Services consult with GAO on annual 
     reporting of administrative and support expenses of the 
     National Institutes of Health.
       Subsection (b) deletes the requirements for GAO to report 
     on whether the law establishing the National Foundation for 
     Biomedical Research adequately prevents conflicts of 
     interest, and to report on compliance with guidelines 
     established under the law.
       Subsection (c) eliminates the requirement that GAO, in 
     cooperation with the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and 
     Mental Health Services Administration, evaluate at least 
     every three years the use of grants for assistance in 
     transition from homelessness. The amendment makes the 
     Administrator solely responsible for the periodic 
     evaluations. The amendment also eliminates a requirement that 
     the Secretary of Health and Human Services consult with the 
     Comptroller General on the content of annual reports by 
     States on the program.
       Subsections (d) through (f) delete the requirements that 
     the Secretary of Health and Human Services consult with the 
     Comptroller General on the content of annual reports by the 
     States on their use of various grants.
       Subsection (g) eliminates the requirement that GAO review 
     and report on the proposal of the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services for more accurately calculating a 
     reimbursement rate for medical care providers that enter into 
     risk-sharing agreements with the Secretary.
       Subsection (h) eliminates the requirement for GAO to review 
     the ownership of hospitals and other providers of Medicare 
     services by referring physicians.
       Subsection (i) eliminates the requirement for GAO to report 
     annually on pricing of prescription drugs sold to the Federal 
     Government, purchasing groups, and managed care plans.
       Subsection (j) eliminates the requirement for a GAO study 
     of a demonstration project, under the Department of Housing 
     and Urban Development, to attract pension fund investment in 
     affordable housing.
       Subsection (k) eliminates the requirement that GAO conduct 
     an annual audit of the integral set of accounts required to 
     be maintained by the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development in connection with low-income housing 
     programs.
       Subsection (l) deletes the requirement for GAO to submit 
     reports on the Family Self-Sufficiency program of the 
     Department of Housing and Urban Development.
       Subsection (m) eliminates the requirement that the 
     Comptroller General serve in an advisory capacity and perform 
     certain oversight functions with respect to the National 
     Commission to Support Law Enforcement. The amendment grants 
     GAO discretion over its provision of assistance to the 
     Commission.
       Subsection (n) repeals the requirement for GAO to report on 
     the Incentive Grants for Local Delinquency Prevention 
     program.
       Subsection (o) repeals the requirement that GAO audit each 
     recipient of a loan guarantee for alternative fuel 
     demonstration facilities every 6 months that the guarantee is 
     in effect.
       Subsection (p) eliminates the requirement for an annual 
     report by GAO on its exercise, if any, of subpoena authority 
     under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
       Subsection (q) deletes the requirement that the Secretary 
     of Energy consult with GAO concerning the terms and 
     conditions of offers of government guarantees of financing 
     for energy and renewable resource development.
       Subsection (r) eliminates the mandate for GAO to report 
     annually on the incremental costs and benefits of pollution 
     control strategies required by the Clean Air Act Amendments 
     of 1990, and to conduct a study of the effects of the 
     Amendments on employment.
       Subsection (s) eliminates the requirement for a series of 
     annual reports by GAO on efforts by Federal agencies to save 
     energy through contracts.
       Subsection (t) eliminates the requirement that GAO report 
     annually on the use of funds for certain programs under the 
     McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments of 1990.
       Subsection (u) eliminates the requirement that the Attorney 
     General consult with GAO before issuing guidelines for 
     accounting procedures to be used by local governments to 
     qualify for crime prevention grants under the Violent Crime 
     Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
       Subsection (v) deletes the requirement that GAO report on 
     the differences between hospital-based and freestanding 
     skilled nursing facilities under Medicare.
       Subsection (w) eliminates the requirement that GAO analyze, 
     on a geographic basis, the supplier costs for durable medical 
     equipment under Medicare.

     SEC. 123. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 44, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) eliminates the requirement that GAO audit 
     the Government Printing Office (GPO) at least every 3 years. 
     The amendment adds a requirement that the Public Printer 
     prepare an annual financial statement for GPO. It also 
     substitutes for the GAO audit mandate a requirement for an 
     annual audit covering both financial and operational 
     activities, to be conducted either by an independent external 
     auditor selected by the Public Printer or, at the request of 
     the Joint Committee on Printing, by the Inspector General of 
     GPO. The amendment preserves GAO's authority to audit GPO 
     financial statements on a self-initiated basis or at

[[Page H9949]]

     the request of the Joint Committee, and provides that when 
     the Comptroller General conducts such an audit, it is in lieu 
     of the audits described above.
       Subsection (b) eliminates the requirement that the Public 
     Printer print a minimum number of copies annually of a single 
     volume containing selected decisions and opinions of the 
     Comptroller General. All Comptroller General decisions and 
     opinions are today distributed widely through other means, 
     including commercial publication from a variety of sources on 
     paper, CD-ROM, and in electronic databases, as well as from 
     GAO and other government sources through the Internet. 
     Repealing the requirement for annual publication of a volume 
     of relatively few decisions will save money without 
     diminishing public availability of the information.

     SEC. 124. AMENDMENT TO TITLE 45, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Section 124 deletes the requirement for an annual GAO 
     report on the effectiveness of the loan guarantee program for 
     high-speed rail facilities provided for in the Intermodal 
     Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.

     SEC. 125. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 46, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Section 125 transfers from GAO to the General Services 
     Administration (GSA) responsibility to disallow payment for 
     Federal employee travel costs or shipping costs on non-
     American flag ships in the absence of proof of necessity for 
     use of a foreign-flag ship.

     SEC. 126. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 47, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) eliminates the requirement that GAO approve 
     standards set by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for 
     valuing the services of volunteers, in order to measure the 
     level of non-Federal financial support for public 
     broadcasting.
       Subsection (b) eliminates the requirement that GAO report 
     every two years on payments by the Attorney General to 
     telecommunications carriers for interception of 
     communications, pursuant to the Communications Assistance for 
     Law Enforcement Act. The amendment substitutes the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Justice for GAO.

     SEC. 127. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 49, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) eliminates the requirement for GAO financial 
     audits of the accounts of the Department of Transportation.
       Subsection (b) eliminates the requirement that GAO 
     evaluate, every two years, the extent to which current mass 
     transportation needs are addressed adequately and estimate 
     future mass transportation needs.
       Subsection (c) eliminates the requirement that GAO make 
     regular financial and performance audits of local rail 
     freight activities supported by the Department of 
     Transportation.
       Subsection (d) transfers from GAO to GSA responsibility to 
     disallow reimbursement to Federal employees and officers 
     traveling overseas on official business for use of foreign 
     air carriers, unless satisfactory proof of necessity is 
     presented.
       Subsection (e) eliminates the requirement for GAO financial 
     audits of accounts maintained by the Secretary of 
     Transportation in connection with aviation insurance offered 
     by the Department of Transportation.
       Subsection (f) deletes requirements that GAO report 
     annually to the Congress on all GAO audits, and on all 
     reviews by GAO of independent audits, of recipients of grants 
     for airport and airway development.
       Subsection (g) deletes the requirement for GAO to conduct a 
     study of the advisability of giving enhanced procurement 
     authority to the Federal Aviation Administration.

     SEC. 128. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 50, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       Subsection (a) eliminates the requirement for GAO audit and 
     approval of termination payments by the Secretary of the Air 
     Force for procurement of the semiautomatic ground environment 
     system.
       Subsection (b) transfers from GAO to the Treasury 
     Department responsibility to settle claims for payments from 
     the War Claims Fund on behalf of individuals who are deceased 
     or under a legal disability.
       Subsection (c) eliminates the requirement that GAO receive 
     and assess the President's reports to Congress on foreign 
     policy controls over exports under the Export Administration 
     Act of 1979.

     SEC. 129. AMENDMENT RELATING TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

       Section 129 deletes a provision of the District of Columbia 
     Code requiring that GAO receive and comment on annual reports 
     by the enrolled actuary of the District Retirement Board on 
     the District of Columbia Retirement Fund for Police and 
     Firefighters.

TITLE III--CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO ENACT TRANSFERS AND DELEGATIONS OF 
                       FUNCTIONS UNDER OTHER LAWS

       In general
       Section 211 of the Legislation Branch Appropriations Act, 
     1996 (Public Law 104-53, 109 Stat. 535) transferred a number 
     of GAO's ``executive'' type functions to OMB, effective on 
     June 30, 1996, and authorized the Director of OMB to delegate 
     those functions to other Federal agencies. In all but a few 
     cases, the Director has now delegated the functions.
       Title II of the bill makes conforming amendments to the 
     statutes underlying the functions covered by section 211 of 
     the 1996 Appropriations Act in order to reflect the transfers 
     to OMB and further delegations by OMB of those functions. For 
     the most part, the conforming amendments of title II delete 
     references to the Comptroller General or GAO in these 
     underlying statutes and substitute references to the 
     officials or agencies now vested with responsibility for the 
     functions pursuant to section 211 of the 1996 Appropriations 
     Act. Where the delegation of a function has not been 
     completed, the conforming amendment reflects that transfer to 
     OMB and preserves the OMB Director's authority to delegate 
     further.

     SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

       Section 201 states the purpose of title II, which as 
     described above, is to amend provisions of law to conform to 
     the transfers and delegations of functions made pursuant to 
     section 211 of the 1996 Legislative Branch Appropriations 
     Act.

     SEC. 202 CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

       Subsection (a) amends 5 U.S.C. 5564, relating to claims for 
     proceeds from certain property sales, by substituting ``the 
     Administrator of General Services'' for GAO. This reflects 
     OMB's delegation of the function to GSA.
       Subsection (b) amends 5 U.S.C 5583, relating to the 
     disposition of accounts of decreased Federal employees, by 
     substituting the Director of OPM for the Comptroller General. 
     This reflects OMB's delegation of the function to OPM.
       Subsection (c) amends 10 U.S.C. 2312, relating to remission 
     of liquidated damages, by substituting Secretary of the 
     Treasury for Comptroller General in accordance with OMB's 
     delegation.
       Subsection (d) amends 10 U.S.C. 2575, relating to the 
     disposition of unclaimed property held by the military 
     departments and the Department of Transportation, by 
     substituting ``Secretary of Defense'' for GAO in accordance 
     with OMB's delegation.
       Subsection (e) amends 10 U.S.C. 2733 and 2734, concerning 
     the payment of certain claims from the permanent, indefinite 
     appropriation known as the ``Judgment Fund,'' by substituting 
     Secretary of the Treasury for Comptroller General. This 
     reflects OMB's delegation of functions relating to the 
     Judgment Fund to the Treasury Department.
       Subsection (f) amends 10 U.S.C. 2771, authorizing the 
     issuance of regulations governing payments to deceased 
     military members, by substituting the Secretary of Defense 
     for the Comptroller General pursuant to OMB's delegation.
       Subsection (g) amends 10 U.S.C. 4712 and 9712, which 
     required that certain records concerning disposition of the 
     effects of deceased military members be sent to GAO. The 
     conforming amendment repeals the subsection that required 
     such reports.
       Subsection (h) amends section 7 of the International Claims 
     Settlement Act of 1949, 22 U.S.C. 1626, concerning the 
     settlement of certain claims against foreign governments, by 
     substituting Secretary of the Treasury for Comptroller 
     General. This reflects OMB's delegation of the settlement 
     function to the Treasury Department.
       Subsection (i) amends section 1709 of the Revised Statutes, 
     22 U.S.C. 4195, concerning the disposition of the effects of 
     United States citizens who died abroad, to reflect OMB's 
     delegation of this function to the State Department.
       Subsection (j) amends section 1520 of the Armed Forces 
     Retirement Home Act of 1991, 24 U.S.C. 420, concerning the 
     disposition of the effects of deceased residents of the 
     Retirement Home, to reflect OMB's delegation of this function 
     to the Secretary of Defense.
       Subsections (k) through (m) amend various statutory 
     provisions relating to payments from the Judgment Fund to 
     reflect OMB's delegation of Judgment Fund functions to the 
     Treasury Department.
       Subsection (n) amends 31 U.S.C. 3702, concerning the 
     settlement of claims against the United States, to implement 
     OMB's delegations. As reflected in the amendments, OMB has 
     delegated authority to settle certain categories of claims to 
     the Secretary of Defense, the Director of the Office of 
     Personnel Management, and the Administrator of General 
     Services. Settlement authority for claims that do not fall 
     into any of these categories is retained in OMB, pending 
     further delegation.
       Subsection (o) amends 31 U.S.C. 3726, relating to certain 
     transportation claims, by substituting Administrator of 
     General Services for Comptroller General in accordance with 
     OMB's delegation of this function to GSA.
       Subsection (p) amends 31 U.S.C. 3728, authorizing setoffs 
     against Judgment Fund payments, to reflect OMB's delegation 
     of Judgment Fund functions to the Treasury Department.
       Subsection (q) amends 32 U.S.C. 714, authorizing the 
     Comptroller General to prescribe regulations governing the 
     payment of amounts due to deceased members of the National 
     Guard, to reflect OMB's delegation of this function to the 
     secretaries of the military departments.
       Subsection (r) amends 32 U.S.C. 715, relating to payment of 
     certain claims from the Judgement Fund, to reflect OMB's 
     delegation of Judgment Fund functions to the Treasury 
     Department.
       Subsection (s) amends 37 U.S.C. 554, relating to claims for 
     proceeds from certain property sales, by substituting the 
     Secretary of Defense for GAO.
       Subsection (t) amends 38 U.S.C. 5122 to repeal a reference 
     to GAO's settlement of claims relating to certain canceled 
     checks since GAO no longer exercises such claims settlement 
     authority. See subsection 202(n), above.
       Subsection (u) amends section 10 of the Act of September 5, 
     1950, 41 U.S.C. 256a, relating

[[Page H9950]]

     to remission of liquidated damages, to reflect OMB's 
     delegation of this function to the Secretary of the Treasury.

     SEC. 203. REPEAL.

       Section 203 repeals those portions of section 211 of the 
     1996 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act that now have been 
     fully implemented and are, therefore, no longer operative. 
     The protections in section 211 for transferred GAO employees, 
     which remain in effect, are retained.

     SEC. 204. AUTHORITY TO RENDER DECISIONS.

       Section 204 amends 31 U.S.C. 3529 to vest in the Director 
     of OMB responsibility to issue advance decisions to 
     government accountable officers on questions involving 
     functions transferred to the Director under any of the 
     provisions of title I or title II. Where the Director has 
     delegated a function to another Federal agency, the Director 
     may also delegate to that agency responsibility for issuing 
     advance decisions.

  Mr. Speaker, I want to take time at this moment to praise the 
chairman of our full committee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. 
Clinger], the chairman of the subcommittee of jurisdiction, the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Horn], and also the ranking member of 
the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the gentlewoman from 
Illinois [Mrs. Collins], and also the ranking member of the 
subcommittee, the gentlewoman from New York [Mrs. Maloney].
  This is an example of a good government bill that was arrived at in 
bipartisan fashion. As the Chair has indicated, there are amendments to 
the bill. The bill that we consider today is not the same bill that was 
originally introduced. Rather than butting heads and saying we could 
not reach agreement, both sides of the aisle came together and produced 
this H.R. 3864, as amended. I not only want to commend the Members of 
Congress who worked on the bill but also the staffs of the subcommittee 
and the full committee on both sides of the aisle.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I am proud to support the bill, H.R. 3864, as amended. The gentleman 
from Ohio [Mr. LaTourette] has wisely incorporated an amendment 
striking title I of the original bill, and I appreciate his taking into 
consideration the views of the minority. That title contains certain 
controversial provisions such as changing the term and pension of the 
Comptroller General and establishing an oversight board for the GAO, 
thereby possibly restricting some of its necessary independence.
  The integrity, independence and quality of the GAO are well 
established and relied on by the public and Members of Congress. We 
must be extremely careful not to do anything which might damage that 
practice, reputation and independence.
  This bill as amended is almost identical to the one ordered reported 
unanimously by the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. The 
GAO worked closely with both the majority and minority in helping to 
draft this statute.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill eliminates many unnecessary congressionally 
mandated reports. In some cases, the GAO needs flexibility rather than 
being bound to a fixed reporting schedule. In still other cases, the 
function eliminated would more properly be performed by some other 
entity like the inspector general or an independent auditor.
  In short, Mr. Speaker, this bill allows the GAO to be governed by 
common sense, not statutory and bureaucratic mandates that waste the 
GAO's time and taxpayers' money.
  It eliminates procedures instituted for reasons that few people even 
remember, and it ends pencil pushing for pencil pushing's sake.
  The GAO itself estimates that this bill will save between $6 and $10 
million. Given the GAO's track record, that estimate is probably 
accurate. Given the recent cuts eliminating these mandatory reports 
makes common sense and good sense.
  The GAO is Congress's and our Nation's primary watchdog agency, 
responsible for providing credible objective and nonpartisan reports 
and evaluations of the programs and management of the executive branch.
  The GAO has done an excellent job in fulfilling this mandate in a 
timely and professional manner and despite recent staff and funding 
cuts. This bill makes its job easier, saves taxpayer money and allows 
the GAO to be much more efficient. The bill has broad bipartisan 
support, and I am proud to support it as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 3864.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Wicker). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time urging my colleagues to support 
this bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. LaTourette], that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3864, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend 
laws authorizing auditing, reporting, and other functions by the 
General Accounting Office.''
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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