[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 144 (Monday, September 14, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H5546-H5551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
GPO MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2026
Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 9342) to revise certain authorities of the Government
Publishing Office, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 9342
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``GPO
Modernization Act of 2026''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--SALES PROGRAMS
Sec. 101. Sale of Government documents.
TITLE II--PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAMS
Sec. 201. Purpose and establishment.
Sec. 202. Definitions.
Sec. 203. Availability of Government publications.
Sec. 204. Selections available to depository libraries.
Sec. 205. Distribution to depositories.
Sec. 206. Conforming amendment related to libraries of executive
departments.
Sec. 207. Requirements for depository libraries.
Sec. 208. Free use of Government public information in depositories.
Sec. 209. Regional depositories.
Sec. 210. Cataloging and access.
Sec. 211. National Collection of United States Public Information.
Sec. 212. Printing or publication of Congressional Directory.
TITLE III--GPO OPERATIONAL MODERNIZATION
Sec. 301. Updating Oversight by the Joint Committee.
Sec. 302. Modernizing authorities of the Government Publishing Office.
Sec. 303. Updating and Modernizing Congressional Publishing.
Sec. 304. GPO and the Federal Register.
Sec. 305. Acceptance of gifts.
Sec. 306. Simplified acquisitions.
Sec. 307. Supplies or services.
Sec. 308. Detail of employees.
Sec. 309. Equalizing GPO Compensation with Other Legislative Branch
Agencies.
Sec. 310. Leave carryover for certain Government Publishing Office
positions.
TITLE IV--PREPARATION OF CONSTITUTION ANNOTATED
Sec. 401. Repeal requirement for Congressional Research Service to
prepare Annotated Constitution and supplements in
hardbound version.
TITLE I--SALES PROGRAMS
SEC. 101. SALE OF GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS.
(a) Authority of Superintendent of Documents.--Section 1702
of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the first undesignated paragraph, by striking ``The
Director'' and inserting ``(a) Appointment.--The Director'';
(2) in the second undesignated paragraph--
(A) by striking ``When an officer'' and inserting ``(b)
Receipt and Sale.--When an officer''; and
(B) by striking ``who shall receive and sell'' and
inserting ``who may receive and sell''; and
(3) in the third undesignated paragraph, by striking ``The
Superintendent of Documents'' and inserting ``(c) Reports and
Distribution.--The Superintendent of Documents''.
(b) Remove Requirement for Approval From Department in
Which Document Originated.--Section 1707 of such title is
amended by striking ``, subject to the approval of the
Secretary or head of the department in which the public
document originated''.
(c) Prices; Resale Authority.--Section 1708 of such title
is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 1708. Prices for sales copies of publications;
crediting of receipts; resale by dealers; sales agents
``(a) Prices.--The price at which additional copies of
Government publications are offered for sale to the public by
the Superintendent of Documents shall be based on the cost as
determined by the Director of the Government Publishing
Office plus a premium to cover the costs of sale and
delivery. A discount may be allowed as determined by the
Superintendent of Documents.
``(b) Resale Authority.--The Superintendent of Documents
may prescribe terms and conditions under which the
Superintendent authorizes the resale of Government
publications by book dealers, and the Superintendent may
designate any Government officer as the Superintendent's
agent for the sale of Government publications under
regulations agreed upon by the Superintendent of Documents
and the head of the respective department or establishment of
the Government.''.
(d) Authority of Superintendent of Documents To Establish
Requirements for Distribution, Sale, and Disposal of Unneeded
Documents.--Section 1720 of such title is amended by striking
``distribution or sale'' and inserting ``distribution, sale,
or disposal in accordance with requirements established by
the Superintendent of Documents''.
[[Page H5547]]
TITLE II--PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAMS
SEC. 201. PURPOSE AND ESTABLISHMENT.
Chapter 19 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by
inserting before section 1901 the following new section (and
by conforming the table of sections of such chapter
accordingly):
``Sec. 1900. Purpose and establishment of the public
information programs of the Superintendent of Documents
``(a) The purposes of this chapter are the following:
``(1) To ensure the public's right to free, equitable, and
convenient access to Government public information.
``(2) To establish the Public Information Programs of the
Superintendent of Documents in the Government Publishing
Office, that together, function to identify, acquire,
catalog, preserve, authenticate, disseminate, reformat, and
provide no-fee permanent public access to the corpus of
Government public information for future generations,
including the following programs and activities:
``(A) The Federal Depository Library Program.
``(B) The Cataloging and Access Services Program.
``(C) Online System of Access.
``(D) The National Collection of U.S. Government Public
Information.
``(E) Preservation Program.
``(F) Sales to the Public.
``(b) The Superintendent of Documents shall engage in
activities that enhance awareness and access to Government
public information or provide services that support libraries
in their efforts to serve their communities.''.
SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.
Section 1901 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows (and by conforming the table of sections of
chapter 19 accordingly):
``Sec. 1901. Definitions
``In this chapter--
``(1) the term `access services' means those functions or
services which enable or enhance discovery, awareness, and
use of Government public information in the National
Collection of U.S. Government Public Information, and Federal
documents collections held by Federal depository libraries;
``(2) the term `Government public information' means
Federal Government publications or information resources,
regardless of physical form or medium, compiled by Government
employees, or at Government expense, or as required by law,
and disseminated to the public by an agency or a contractor
thereof or of educational value, including such publications
or information resources which have been declassified;
``(3) the term `Government publication' means informational
matter which is published as an individual document at
Government expense, or as required by law;
``(4) the term `information' means any communication or
representation of knowledge such as facts, data, or opinions
in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic,
cartographic, narrative, electronic, or audiovisual forms;
``(5) the term `information lifecycle management' means the
process of planning, budgeting, administering, processing,
and controlling information, whether in the form of a
tangible or digital information asset, throughout the stages
of the asset, including the asset's--
``(A) creation, identification, and acquisition;
``(B) organization, bibliographic control, and metadata;
``(C) preservation, digitization, and reformatting;
``(D) authentication, access, and dissemination;
``(E) promotion;
``(F) storage; and
``(G) management through a trusted digital repository;
``(6) the term `permanent public access' means making
Government public information resources discoverable and
available to, and accessible by, the public on an indefinite,
continuing basis, without charge;
``(7) the term `preservation' means strategic initiatives,
programs, and processes designed to maintain useful access to
information assets, serving the information needs of both
present and future generations; and
``(8) the term `unreported public information' means
Government public information which is not cataloged or
otherwise identifiable or retrievable by an end user of the
catalog described in section 1917.''.
SEC. 203. AVAILABILITY OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.
Section 1902 of such title is amended to read as follows
(and by conforming the table of sections of chapter 19
accordingly):
``Sec. 1902. Availability of Government publications through
Superintendent of Documents; notification of publications
not ordered from Government Publishing Office
``(a) Availability.--The Superintendent of Documents shall
make Government public information available to depository
libraries through the Superintendent of Documents Public
Information Programs.
``(b) Requirements.--Each component of the Government
shall--
``(1) notify the Superintendent of Documents of tangible
Government public information content it has issued that is
not also available digitally;
``(2) notify the Superintendent of Documents of digital
Government public information content it has issued;
``(3) collaborate with the Superintendent of Documents to
ensure any such digital Government public information remains
permanently accessible; and
``(4) furnish to the Superintendent of Documents any
tangible Government public information it has issued that was
obtained from sources other than the Government Publishing
Office, unless other arrangements have been made with the
Superintendent of Documents to ensure the information is
accessible to depository libraries.
``(c) Exceptions.--The requirements of subsection (b) do
not apply to Government public information that is
confidential in character or classified for reasons of
national security.''.
SEC. 204. SELECTIONS AVAILABLE TO DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES.
Section 1904 of such title is amended to read as follows
(and by conforming the table of sections of chapter 19
accordingly):
``Sec. 1904. Selections available to depository libraries
``The Superintendent of Documents shall notify depository
libraries of those Government public information products,
regardless of format, that are available for selection for
inclusion in their depository collections.''.
SEC. 205. DISTRIBUTION TO DEPOSITORIES.
Section 1905 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``Sec. 1905. Distribution to depositories; designation of
additional libraries; justification; authorization for
certain designations
``(a) Government public information available from the
Superintendent of Documents under this chapter shall be
distributed or made accessible to depository libraries
specifically designated by law and to libraries designated
pursuant to this section.
``(b) Libraries within areas served by Members of the
House, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner from the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may be designated by them to
receive Government public information to the extent that the
total number of libraries designated by them does not exceed
two within each area.
``(c) Not more than two additional libraries within a State
may be designated by each Senator from the State.
``(d) The Mayor of the District of Columbia may designate
two depository libraries in the District of Columbia.
``(e) The Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
Governor of Guam, the Governor of American Samoa, and the
Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
may each designate one depository library in the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, respectively. The Governor of
the United States Virgin Islands may designate one depository
library on the island of Saint Thomas and one on the island
of Saint Croix.
``(f) The Superintendent of Documents may designate
libraries to be digital-only depository libraries for
Government public information if they are located in an area
with no vacancy under subsection (b), (c), (d), or (e) and
they are not eligible to be designated under existing by-law
library provisions of this section. Digital-only depository
libraries must be freely accessible to and provide services
for the public and otherwise meet the requirements of this
title.
``(g) Before a library is designated as a depository for
Government public information, the Superintendent of
Documents shall assess the potential depository library to
determine its sustainability for housing a depository
collection and for providing access services, including
providing access to digital content. The head of that library
shall furnish justification of the necessity for the
additional designation to the library's Senator, Member of
the House, Delegate, Resident Commissioner from the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Mayor of the District of
Columbia or Governor, as the case may be. The justification
shall also include the assessment of the Superintendent of
Documents. The justification for depository library
designations shall be transmitted to the Superintendent of
Documents by the Senator, Member of the House, Delegate, the
Resident Commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
or the Mayor of the District of Columbia or Governor, as the
case may be.''.
SEC. 206. CONFORMING AMENDMENT RELATED TO LIBRARIES OF
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS.
Section 1907 of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``Government
publications'' and inserting ``Government public
information''; and
(2) in the last sentence, by striking ``Library of Congress
and the Archivist of the United States'' and inserting
``Superintendent of Documents''.
SEC. 207. REQUIREMENTS FOR DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES.
Section 1909 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows (and by conforming the table of sections of
chapter 19 accordingly):
``Sec. 1909. Requirements of depository libraries; reports on
conditions; consultations and training; termination;
replacement
``(a) Only a library able to provide access to, custody of,
and services for deposited materials or access to and
services for online digital content and located in an area
where it can best serve the public need may be designated as
a depository library. The designated depository libraries
shall report to the Superintendent of Documents at least
every two years concerning their condition.
``(b) The Superintendent of Documents shall regularly
assess conditions in depository libraries. The Superintendent
of Documents shall provide needed training and support by
making visits to depository libraries or by other means and
include the results of consultations in the Superintendent of
Documents' annual report. When the Superintendent of
Documents ascertains that the designated depository has
ceased to be maintained so as to be accessible to the public,
or that the Government publications
[[Page H5548]]
which have been furnished the library have not been properly
maintained, the Superintendent of Documents shall remove the
library from the directory of depository libraries if the
library fails to correct the unsatisfactory conditions within
an agreed upon time frame. A library may be designated,
pursuant to section 1905 of this chapter, to replace a
library deleted by the Superintendent of Documents, provided
that the designation may not be in excess of the number of
depository libraries authorized by law.''.
SEC. 208. FREE USE OF GOVERNMENT PUBLIC INFORMATION IN
DEPOSITORIES.
Section 1911 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows (and by conforming the table of sections of
chapter 19 accordingly):
``Sec. 1911. Free use of Government public information in
depositories; disposal of unwanted Government public
information
``(a) Free Use by the Public.--Depository libraries shall,
pursuant to standards established by the Superintendent of
Documents, make Government public information accessible for
free use by the public.
``(b) Digital Information Substitutes.--Depository
libraries may substitute digital information for tangible
publications in accordance with Superintendent of Documents
policy and guidance.
``(c) Disposal.--A depository library not served by a
regional depository library, or that is a regional depository
library, may dispose of unwanted Government public
information in accordance with Superintendent of Documents
policy and guidance. Depository libraries may dispose of
tangible publications which are Government property after
retention for five years under section 1912 of this title, if
the depository library is served by a regional depository
library.''.
SEC. 209. REGIONAL DEPOSITORIES.
Section 1912 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows (and by conforming the table of sections of
chapter 19 accordingly):
``Sec. 1912. Regional depositories; designation; functions;
shared responsibilities, disposal of publications
``(a) Not more than two depository libraries in each State
and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may be designated as
regional depositories and shall receive from the
Superintendent of Documents copies of or access to all new
and revised Government publications authorized for
dissemination to depository libraries. Designation of
regional depository libraries may be made by a Senator or the
Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico within the areas
served by them. Prior to the designation the Superintendent
of Documents shall consult with the head of the potential
regional depository library and ascertain that the library
will fulfill the requirements for depository libraries. The
agreement to function as a regional depository library shall
be transmitted to the Superintendent of Documents by the
Senator or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico when
the designation is made.
``(b) Regional depository libraries shall retain at least
one copy of all Government publications received, except
those authorized to be discarded by the Superintendent of
Documents policy and guidance or covered by collaborative
agreements approved by the Superintendent of Documents, or
make accessible digital versions (in accordance with
Superintendent of Documents policy) and, within the area
served, will provide leadership and coordination for the
provision of program-related activities for depository
libraries.
``(c) Regional depository libraries from different States
may share responsibilities by entering into agreements in
accordance with Superintendent of Documents guidance and upon
approval of a Senator from each of the States.
``(d) The Superintendent of Documents shall establish not
fewer than four multistate collection service areas to
support collaborative collection and service coordination
among depository libraries within such area.
``(e) Publications distributed by the Superintendent of
Documents to depository libraries are holdings of the
National Collection of U.S. Government Public Information and
remain the property of the United States Government.
Libraries designated as regional depositories will coordinate
with the Superintendent of Documents on the disposition of
Government Publications from depository libraries, within the
areas served by them, which the depository library has
retained for five years or when the depository library is
relinquishing its depository designation. The Superintendent
of Documents shall manage the National Collection of U.S.
Government Public Information to maximize the access to, use
of, and preservation of Government public information in the
depository library program.''.
SEC. 210. CATALOGING AND ACCESS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 19 of title 44, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section (and by conforming the table of sections of such
chapter accordingly):
``Sec. 1917. Cataloging and access services
``(a) Cataloging Described.--The Superintendent of
Documents shall provide descriptive cataloging records for
the corpus of Government public information. The cataloging
records shall be created using library or information
industry standards and best practices and shall include
metadata elements in accordance with Superintendent of
Documents policy.
``(b) Access and Awareness Services.--The Superintendent of
Documents shall engage in activities that enhance access to
and awareness of Government public information or provide
services that support libraries or organizations that support
libraries in their efforts to serve their communities'
Government information needs.
``(c) Specific Access Services.--
``(1) The Superintendent of Documents shall maintain an
online comprehensive catalog of historical and current,
tangible and digital Government public information cataloged
under subsection (a), and such catalog shall show where the
Government public information may be obtained or accessed.
The catalog shall be machine- or device-independent and
available for free use by the public.
``(2) The Superintendent of Documents shall carry out a
program to bring unreported Government public information
under bibliographic control and to make records associated
with such information available through the catalog
established by this section and such other methods as may be
appropriate.
``(3) The Superintendent of Documents may make the records
of such catalog available to Federal depository libraries,
bibliographic utilities that support widely available record
sharing, or other entities that make available Government
public information.
``(4) The Superintendent of Documents may accept records
for inclusion in such catalog from libraries and agencies of
the Federal Government, Federal depository libraries,
bibliographic utilities that support widely available record
sharing, or other entities that make available Government
public information.
``(5) The Superintendent of Documents may acquire digital
Government public information for inclusion in the Cataloging
and Access Services Program, Federal Depository Library
Program, and GPO's System of Online Access through automated
and manual harvesting of public websites. Such content will
be cataloged, made accessible through the catalog established
under this subsection, and preserved.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Chapter 17 of such title is
amended by repealing sections 1710 and 1711 (and by
conforming the table of sections of such chapter
accordingly).
SEC. 211. NATIONAL COLLECTION OF UNITED STATES PUBLIC
INFORMATION.
(a) In General.--Chapter 19 of title 44, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section (and by conforming the table of sections of such
chapter accordingly):
``Sec. 1918. National Collection of United States Public
Information
``(a) Establishment and Purpose.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is hereby established a
National Collection of United States Government Public
Information (referred to in this chapter as the `National
Collection').
``(2) Purpose.--The Federal Government's publications and
information are national assets and resources. Their
availability and accessibility ensures an informed citizenry
and an improved quality of life for them while spurring
innovation. The National Collection is established to ensure
the public's right to free, equitable, and convenient access
to Government public information.
``(b) Scope of the National Collection.--The content
included in the National Collection is the corpus of
Government public information.
``(c) Responsibilities of the Superintendent of
Documents.--The Superintendent of Documents shall administer
the National Collection and shall--
``(1) guarantee free permanent public access to the
geographically distributed National Collection;
``(2) apply information lifecycle management best practices
to the National Collection;
``(3) acquire and bring under bibliographic control public
Government information products, regardless of format, in
scope of the National Collection;
``(4) ensure a minimum of four tangible copies of
distributed publications exist in the depository library
program distributed geographically in four National
Collection service areas; and
``(5) collaborate with stakeholders, including the Library
of Congress, libraries of the United States, Federal
agencies, Congress, the Judiciary, and Federal Depository
Library Program member libraries in as much as is
practicable, to ensure preservation, comprehensiveness, and
accessibility of the National Collection.
``(d) Responsibilities of the Director of the Government
Publishing Office.--The Director of the Government Publishing
Office, acting through the Superintendent of Documents,
shall--
``(1) operate a digital repository system that functions as
the Government Publishing Office's online system of access
through which members of the public may obtain, at no charge,
information that is included in the National Collection;
``(2) develop and enhance such system as needed;
``(3) digitize, authenticate, manage, preserve, and provide
a permanent means of accessing information;
``(4) provide access to information in an open format to
the extent practicable;
``(5) provide funding for system development, operational
support, and infrastructure; and
``(6) have the ability to provide services to Federal
agencies for the purpose of carrying out this title.
``(e) Protecting User Privacy.--The Director of the
Government Publishing Office, acting through the
Superintendent of Documents, shall implement measures to
protect the privacy of individuals using the digital
repository described in subsection (d), and shall ensure that
such measures provide users with at least the same level of
privacy as provided under section 552a of title 5 (commonly
known as the Privacy Act of 1974) and section 208 of the E-
Government Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-347).
``(f) Removal of Public Government Information From
National Collection.--The Superintendent of Documents shall
publicly disclose online, not less than annually, a list of
[[Page H5549]]
any public Government information removed from public access
in the National Collection or the digital repository
described in subsection (d), and the reasons for such
removals.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Chapter 41 of title 44, United
States Code, and the item relating to such chapter in the
table of chapters at the beginning, are hereby repealed.
SEC. 212. PRINTING OR PUBLICATION OF CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTORY.
Section 721 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``Sec. 721. Congressional Directory
``There shall be prepared under the direction of the
Director of the Government Publishing Office (1) a
Congressional Directory, which shall be prepared in a digital
format available at a public website of the Government
Publishing Office as early as practicable during the first
session of each Congress and (2) a supplement to each
Congressional Directory, which shall be prepared in a digital
format available at a public website of the Government
Publishing Office as early as practicable during the second
regular session of each Congress.''.
TITLE III--GPO OPERATIONAL MODERNIZATION
SEC. 301. UPDATING OVERSIGHT BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE.
(a) Redesignation of Joint Committee on Printing to Joint
Committee on Publishing.--
(1) The Joint Committee on Printing is hereby redesignated
the Joint Committee on Publishing.
(2) Any reference to the Joint Committee on Printing in any
law, rule, regulation, certificate, directive, instruction,
or any other official paper in force on the date of enactment
of this Act shall be considered to refer and apply to the
Joint Committee on Publishing.
(b) Modernizing Joint Committee Structure.--Chapter 1 of
title 44, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``CHAPTER 1--JOINT COMMITTEE ON PUBLISHING
``Sec.
``101. Joint Committee on Publishing: membership.
``102. Joint Committee on Publishing: purpose and authority.
``103. Joint Committee on Publishing: succession; powers during recess.
``104. Joint Committee on Publishing: remedial powers.
``Sec. 101. Joint Committee on Publishing: membership
``The Joint Committee on Publishing shall consist of the
chair and four members of the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the chair and four members
of the Committee on House Oversight of the House of
Representatives.
``Sec. 102. Joint Committee on Publishing: purpose and
authority
``The Joint Committee on Publishing shall oversee the
Government Publishing Office and supervise the Director of
the Government Publishing Office.
``Sec. 103. Joint Committee on Publishing: succession; powers
during recess
``The members of the Joint Committee on Publishing who are
reelected to the succeeding Congress shall continue as
members of the committee until their successors are chosen.
The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives shall, on the last day of a Congress, appoint
members of their respective Houses who have been elected to
the succeeding Congress to fill vacancies which may then be
about to occur on the Committee, and the appointees and
members of the Committee who have been reelected shall
continue until their successors are chosen. When Congress is
not in session, the Joint Committee may exercise all its
powers and duties as when Congress is in session.
``Sec. 104. Joint Committee on Publishing: remedial powers
``The Joint Committee on Publishing may use any measures it
considers necessary to remedy neglect, delay, duplication, or
waste in the public printing and binding and the distribution
of Congressional publications in any form.''.
(c) Removing Extraneous References to the Joint Committee
on Printing.--
(1) Section 1108 of title 44, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``, subject to regulation by the Joint
Committee on Printing,''.
(2) Section 1301 of title 44, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``in accordance with directions of the
Joint Committee on Printing,''.
(3) Section 1320A of title 44, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``and with the approval of the Joint
Committee on Printing,''.
(4) Section 312 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 825k)
is amended by striking ``All printing for the Federal Power
Commission'' and all that follows through ``providing for
interdepartmental work.''.
(5) Section 5(c) of the National Foundation on the Arts and
the Humanities Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 954(c)) is amended by
striking ``In the case of publications under paragraph (10)
of this subsection such publications may be supported without
regard for the provisions of section 501 of title 44, United
States Code, only if the Chairperson consults with the Joint
Committee on Printing of the Congress and the Chairperson
submits to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the
Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House
of Representatives a report justifying any exemption from
such section 501.''.
(6) Section 7(c) of the National Foundation on the Arts and
the Humanities Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 956) is amended by
striking ``In the case of publications under clause (8) of
this subsection such publications may be supported without
regard for the provisions of section 501 of title 44, United
States Code, only if the Chairperson consults with the Joint
Committee on Printing of the Congress and the Chairperson
submits to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the
Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House
of Representatives a report justifying any exemption from
such section 501.''.
(7) Section 411(a) of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by striking the last sentence.
(d) Services for the National Capital Region.--Section 1121
of title 44, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows (and by conforming the table of sections of chapter
11 accordingly):
``Sec. 1121. Paper and envelopes for Government agencies in
the National Capital region
``The Director of the Government Publishing Office may
procure, as provided by sections 509-516 of this title, and
furnish on requisition, paper and envelopes (not including
envelopes printed in the course of manufacture) in common use
by two or more departments, establishments, or services of
the Government in the National Capital region, within the
meaning of section 8702 of title 40, United States Code, and
reimbursement shall be made to the Director of the Government
Publishing Office from appropriations or funds available for
the purpose. Paper and envelopes so furnished by the Director
of the Government Publishing Office may not be procured in
any other manner.''.
SEC. 302. MODERNIZING AUTHORITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT
PUBLISHING OFFICE.
(a) Print and Publishing Procurement Services.--Section 502
of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``, publishing''
after ``binding'';
(2) in the text, by inserting ``, publishing'' after
``binding''; and
(3) by striking ``Joint Committee on Printing'' and
inserting ``Joint Committee on Publishing''.
(b) Repeal of Certain Provisions.--Sections 503, 504, 1104,
1105, and 1112 of title 44, United States Code, are repealed
(and by conforming the table of sections for the applicable
chapters accordingly).
(c) Conforming Amendments.--Sections 505, 508 through 515,
517, 702, 703, 707, 709, 714, 717, 718, 722 through 724, 728,
738, and 901 through 905 of title 44, United States Code, are
amended by striking ``Joint Committee on Printing'' in each
place it appears and inserting ``Joint Committee on
Publishing''.
SEC. 303. UPDATING AND MODERNIZING CONGRESSIONAL PUBLISHING.
(a) House and Senate Documents and Reports.--Section 701 of
title 44, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 701. `Usual number' of documents and reports;
distribution of House and Senate documents and reports;
binding; reports on private bills; number of copies
printed; distribution
``(a) The order by either House of Congress to print a
document or report shall signify the `usual number' of copies
for binding and distribution among those entitled to receive
them. A greater number may not be printed unless ordered by
either House, or as provided by this section. When a special
number of a document or report is ordered printed, the usual
number shall also be printed, unless already ordered.
``(b) The `usual number' of documents and reports shall be
established by the Joint Committee on Publishing, and shall
be printed at one time and distributed according to
instruction of the Joint Committee Publishing.''.
(b) Bills and Resolutions.--Section 706 of title 44, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 706. Bills and resolutions: number and distribution
``(a) Public bills, resolutions, and private bills shall be
printed in bill form, and, unless specially ordered by either
House, shall be printed only when referred to a committee,
when favorably reported back, and after their passage by
either House. Concurrent and simple resolutions shall be
printed in bill form when reported and after their passage by
either House, except by special order.
``(b) The Director of the Government Publishing Office
shall ensure the distribution of such printed copies to the
Senate document room, the Secretary of the Senate, the House
document room, and the Superintendent of Documents and other
entities at the direction of the Joint Committee on
Publishing.''.
(c) Congressional Record.--Section 906 of title 44, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 906. Congressional Record: gratuitous copies; delivery
``The Director of the Government Publishing Office shall
furnish copies of the daily and permanent forms of the
Congressional Record, including such copies as may be
required for distribution to depository libraries, under the
direction of the Joint Committee on Publishing.''.
SEC. 304. GPO AND THE FEDERAL REGISTER.
Title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 1502, by striking ``, together with the
Director of the Government Publishing Office,'';
(2) in section 1503, by striking ``to the Government
Publishing Office'' and insert ``for publication'';
(3) by amending section 1504 to read as follows:
``Sec. 1504. `Federal Register'; publishing; contents;
distribution; price; physical copies
``Documents required or authorized to be published by
section 1505 shall be published immediately in a serial
publication designated the `Federal Register'. The Director
of the Government Publishing Office may make available the
facilities of the Government Publishing Office for the prompt
publication of the Federal Register in the manner and at the
times required by
[[Page H5550]]
this chapter and the regulations prescribed under it under an
agreement with the Archivist of the United States. The
contents of the daily issues shall constitute all documents,
required or authorized to be published, filed with the Office
of the Federal Register up to the time of the day immediately
preceding the day of publication fixed by regulations under
this chapter. There shall be published with each document a
copy of the notation, required to be made by section 1503, of
the day and hour when, upon filing with the Office, the
document was made available for public inspection.
Distribution shall be made at a time in the morning of the
day of distribution fixed by regulations prescribed under
this chapter. The prices to be charged for the Federal
Register may be fixed by the Administrative Committee of the
Federal Register established by section 1506 without
reference to the restrictions placed upon and fixed for the
sale of Government publications by sections 1705 and 1708.
The Director of the Office of the Federal Register shall
arrange for the printing of at least two physical copies of
each published Federal Register issue. Of those, not less
than two copies shall be stored, each in a separate facility,
to ensure the preservation of the Federal Register for the
purposes of continuity of government.'';
(4) by amending section 1505(c) to read as follows:
``(c) Alternative Publication.--In a continuity of
operations event that limits the fulfillment of the
publication requirements of this chapter, the Office of the
Federal Register may establish an alternative method to
publish the Federal Register until such time that the regular
publication may resume.'';
(5) in section 1506(a), by striking ``an officer of the
Department of Justice designated by the Attorney General, and
the Director of the Government Publishing Office or Acting
Director of the Government Publishing Office'' and inserting
``and an officer of the Department of Justice designated by
the Attorney General''; and
(6) by amending section 1509 to read as follows:
``Sec. 1509. Costs of publication, etc.
``(a) If the Government Publishing Office publishes the
Federal Register or Code of Federal Regulations, the cost of
such publishing, and, except as provided in subsection (b),
other expenses incurred by the Government Publishing Office
in carrying out the duties under this chapter shall be
charged to the revolving fund provided in section 309.
Reimbursements for such costs and expenses shall be made by
the Federal agencies and credited, together with all
receipts, as provided in section 309(b).
``(b) If the Government Publishing Office publishes any
other publications of the Federal Register program, the costs
of such publications and other expenses incurred by the
Government Publishing Office in connection with such
publications, shall be borne by the appropriations to the
Government Publishing Office and the appropriations are made
available, and are authorized to be increased by additional
sums necessary for the purposes, the increases to be based
upon estimates submitted by the Director of the Government
Publishing Office.''.
SEC. 305. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS.
(a) Authorizing Acceptance of Gifts.--Section 318(a) of
title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) in accordance with subsection (c), accept, hold,
administer, and utilize gifts and bequests of property for
the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the
Government Publishing Office.''.
(b) Authority Described.--Section 318 of such title is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c)(1) Gifts and bequests of money and the proceeds from
sales of other property received as gifts or bequests shall
be deposited in the Revolving Fund established under section
309 of this title and shall be used solely for governmental
purposes.
``(2) Property accepted pursuant to this provision, and the
proceeds thereof, shall be used as nearly as possible in
accordance with the terms of the gift or bequest.
``(3) For purposes of Federal income, estate, or gift
taxes, property accepted under this section shall be
considered as a gift, devise, or bequest to the United
States.''.
(c) Technical Amendment.--The heading of section 318 of
such title is amended by adding ``; gift acceptance'' at the
end (and by conforming the table of sections of chapter 3
accordingly).
SEC. 306. SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS.
Section 311 of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``small purchase''
and inserting ``simplified acquisition'' (and by conforming
the table of sections of chapter 3 accordingly);
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
``(b) In addition to the authority to negotiate otherwise
provided by law, the Director of the Government Publishing
Office may negotiate purchases and contracts for supplies or
services for which the Director of the Government Publishing
Office determines that it is impracticable to secure
competition by advertising. The Director of the Government
Publishing Office may designate one or more employees of the
Government Publishing Office to carry out this subsection.'';
and
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``$100,000'' and
inserting ``$350,000''.
SEC. 307. SUPPLIES OR SERVICES.
Section 314 of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``Inks, glues, and
other supplies'' and inserting ``Supplies or services''(and
by conforming the table of sections of chapter 3
accordingly);
(2) by striking ``Inks, glues, and other supplies
manufactured'' and inserting ``Supplies manufactured or
services performed''; and
(3) by inserting ``publishing'' after ``in connection with
its''.
SEC. 308. DETAIL OF EMPLOYEES.
Section 316 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``and binding'' and inserting ``, binding, and
publishing''.
SEC. 309. EQUALIZING GPO COMPENSATION WITH OTHER LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH AGENCIES.
Section 303 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by
striking the second sentence.
SEC. 310. LEAVE CARRYOVER FOR CERTAIN GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING
OFFICE POSITIONS.
Section 6304(f)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``or'';
(2) in the first subparagraph (H), by striking the period
and inserting a semicolon;
(3) in the second subparagraph (H)--
(A) by redesignating such subparagraph as subparagraph (I);
and
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``;
or''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(J) a position in the Government Publishing Office senior
level service.''.
TITLE IV--PREPARATION OF CONSTITUTION ANNOTATED
SECTION 401. REPEAL REQUIREMENT FOR CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH
SERVICE TO PREPARE ANNOTATED CONSTITUTION AND
SUPPLEMENTS IN HARDBOUND VERSION.
(a) Repeal.--The first section of Public Law 91-589 (2
U.S.C. 168) is amended--
(1) by striking ``the Librarian of Congress'' and inserting
``(a) subject to subsection (b), the Librarian of Congress'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b)(1) Upon the completion of the October 2031 term of
the Supreme Court and upon the completion of each tenth
October term of the Supreme Court thereafter, the Librarian
of Congress shall have prepared a digital decennial revised
edition of the Constitution Annotated, which shall contain
annotations of all decisions theretofore rendered by the
Supreme Court construing provisions of the Constitution, in
place of the hardbound decennial revised edition of the
Constitution Annotated described in subsection (a)(3).
``(2) Upon the completion of the October 2026 term of the
Supreme Court and upon the completion of each subsequent
October term of the Supreme Court beginning in an odd-
numbered year (the final digit of which is not a 1), the
Librarian shall have prepared a digital cumulative pocket-
part supplement to the most recent decennial revised edition
of the Constitution Annotated, which shall contain cumulative
annotations of all such decisions rendered by the Supreme
Court which were not included in the most recent revised
edition of the Constitution Annotated, in place of the
hardbound editions of the cumulative pocket-part supplement
described in subsection (a)(4).''.
(b) Ensuring Availability of Digital Versions.--Section 2
of Public Law 91-589 (2 U.S.C. 168a) is amended--
(1) by striking ``All hardbound'' and inserting ``(a) All
hardbound''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b)(1) The digital decennial revised editions of the
Constitution Annotated prepared under subsection (b)(1) of
the first section of this Joint Resolution and the digital
cumulative pocket-part supplements prepared under subsection
(b)(2) of the first section of this Joint Resolution shall be
available at a public website of the Library of Congress.
``(2) The Librarian of Congress shall ensure the continuing
availability of the documents referred to in paragraph (1) to
Congress and the public.''.
(c) Repeal of Additional Printing Requirements.--
(1) Mandatory printing of additional copies.--Section 3 of
Public Law 91-589 (2 U.S.C. 168b) is amended--
(A) by striking ``There shall be printed'' and inserting
``(a) There shall be printed''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Subsection (a) does not apply after completion of the
October 2026 term of the Supreme Court, and the Librarian of
Congress shall provide the decennial revised editions of the
Constitution Annotated and the cumulative pocket part
supplements prepared under this Joint Resolution exclusively
in a digital format available at a public website of the
Library of Congress.''.
(2) Printing of additional copies pursuant to concurrent
resolution.--Section 4 of Public Law 91-589 (2 U.S.C. 168c)
is repealed.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Griffith) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Morelle)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
General Leave
Mr. GRIFFITH. 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 this bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
[[Page H5551]]
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 9342, the GPO Modernization Act of 2026, led by
Representative Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma, provides several much-needed
reforms for the Government Publishing Office.
Founded in 1861, the Government Publishing Office has long functioned
as an important resource not only for Congress but for the Federal
Government as a whole by printing, preserving, and distributing
official government documents.
Despite the important nature of its work, many of the operations of
the GPO are still mired in slow and expensive physical printing
processes.
This bipartisan legislation transports the GPO into the modern era by
digitizing important government documents through programs like the
National Collection of U.S. Public Information.
This serves as a centralized digital library that will greatly expand
access for Americans to easily view government resources and stay
informed with current events.
H.R. 9342 will also increase fiscal responsibility and efficiency
within the GPO by transferring costly, time-consuming print products,
such as the Congressional Directory, into a digital format.
Additionally, H.R. 9342 cuts bureaucratic red tape by simplifying the
acquisition process for key operational equipment and updates GPO
employee salaries to ensure that they are on par with other legislative
branch agencies.
Taken together, the GPO Modernization Act will help ensure that the
Government Publishing Office will have the tools and staff it needs to
successfully transfer its inventory and operations to a digital-first
format and continue to support the Federal Government for years to
come.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9342, the GPO Modernization
Act of 2026. I thank my good friend and colleague, the gentlewoman from
Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice) for introducing it.
The Government Publishing Office is a critical part of the
legislative branch. Without it, Congress simply could not legislate,
issue reports, or adequately conduct many of its constitutional
responsibilities. It provides the public with one of the essentials of
democracy: access to authoritative, accurate information.
The statutes governing the government printing office, or GPO, have
seen modest updates over the years, including the name change from the
government printing office, which I probably said in mistake, to the
Government Publishing Office, but much of the law still predates the
digital era.
This bill further modernizes those statutes, streamlines GPO's
operations, and improves public access to government information. I
support these efforts which will help strengthen the GPO's capacity
and, in turn, Congress' capacity to do its work.
Among other things, the bill updates the Federal Depository Library
Program, or FDLP, to more effectively provide free, equitable, and
convenient public access to government information. For example, it
will allow depository libraries to substitute digital copies of
government documents for hard copies. Doing so will free up much-needed
physical space in libraries and let libraries without room on their
shelves take part in the program and continue to serve the public.
This bill also includes several improvements to GPO operations,
including its procurement authorities and certain personnel policies.
Together with the other legislation we are considering today to reform
how the GPO Director is appointed, these changes will strengthen the
agency and its ability to serve Congress and the public.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Mrs. Bice for her leadership. I support the
legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1510
Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice).
Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I thank my colleague, Mr.
Morelle, for his support of this very important piece of legislation.
I rise today in strong support of H.R. 9342, the GPO Modernization
Act of 2026. As the chair of the Subcommittee on Modernization and
Innovation, I am pleased to have introduced this legislation to both
modernize and encourage innovation at the Government Publishing Office
by helping bring them into the 21st century.
The GPO first opened its doors in 1861 and served as the printing
office for Congress, Federal agencies, and the judiciary. Later, its
mission expanded to include management of the Federal Depository
Library Program and the GovInfo website, which serve as public
repositories for government information.
Through roundtable conversations with institutional staff and
leaders, we learned that this 19th century institution operates under
20th century rules in the 21st century.
Earlier this year, GPO Director Halpern testified before the
Committee on House Administration and said the agency operates in the
liminal spaces of its statute to meet the needs of Congress and Federal
agencies.
This bipartisan legislation hopes to address this need and seeks to
change the outdated statutes, helping GPO meet its needs and helping us
better serve the American people.
The bill gives GPO greater flexibility to continue its business
operations, which already funds 90 percent of its operations. It allows
the Superintendent of Documents to meet customer demand by setting
competitive and realistic prices for the sale of documents. It also
allows the agencies to strategically dispose of excess publications for
which there is little public interest.
Specifically, this legislation will repeal antiquated printing
provisions and require future editions of the annotated Constitution,
or CONAN, to be published online. Producing CONAN is costly, costing
taxpayers roughly $1 million a year.
Furthermore, the bill will also require future editions of the
Congressional Directory to be published online, saving additional
taxpayer dollars.
It will expand the digital presence of the Federal Depository Library
Program and ensure government public information remains accessible for
free use by the American public, mimicking a finding by the GPO's task
force on a digital Federal Depository Library Program.
This bill is simple. It brings GPO up to par with other legislative
branch agencies, giving them the desperate statutory updates the Office
has continually asked Congress for.
Mr. Speaker, I thank GPO Director Halpern and the CHA staff for their
work on this, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
bipartisan commonsense legislation.
Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I was on the bubble, but that brilliant
oration by Mrs. Bice has persuaded me to continue to support the bill.
I thank her for her good work, and I strongly urge my colleagues to
support it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 9342,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 9342, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________