What does Preamble of Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act do?

This bill modifies the appointment and removal process for certain legislative branch officers.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act.

What does LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS. of Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act do?

This section amends the Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015. It redefines terms within the Act, including 'commission,' 'Deputy Librarian,' 'House and Senate leadership,' 'Librarian,' and 'oversight committee leadership'. The Librarian of Congress is now appointed by a commission composed of congressional leadership, based solely on fitness and without regard to political affiliation. The oversight committee leadership jointly recommends three individuals for appointment, and the Librarian is selected by a majority vote of the House and Senate leadership. The Librarian may be removed from office by a majority vote of the House and Senate leadership. Section 904 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1983 is amended to clarify the Librarian's employment status. The Librarian of Congress is not considered to serve under a political appointment for certain purposes related to appropriations law.

What does DEPUTY LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS. of Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act do?

This section modifies the Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015 to establish a Deputy Librarian of Congress. The Librarian of Congress is required to appoint a suitable individual as Deputy Librarian. The Librarian may delegate duties to the Deputy Librarian as deemed necessary or appropriate. The Librarian must appoint a Deputy Librarian within 120 days of their own appointment or a vacancy in the Deputy Librarian position. If the Librarian fails to appoint a Deputy Librarian by the deadline, oversight committee leadership will jointly recommend an individual, and appointment requires a majority vote of House and Senate leadership. The Deputy Librarian will act as Librarian in the Librarian's absence, disability, or if the Librarian's position is vacant. If the Deputy Librarian is also absent or disabled, oversight committee leadership will recommend an individual to serve as acting Librarian, requiring a majority vote of House and Senate leadership. An individual serving as acting Librarian has all the duties and authorities of the Librarian, including the authority to delegate.

What does DIRECTOR OF THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE. of Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act do?

This section amends Chapter 3 of Title 44, United States Code, relating to the Government Publishing Office (GPO). It establishes definitions for 'commission,' 'House and Senate leadership,' and 'oversight committee leadership' within the chapter. The Director of the GPO is now appointed by a 'commission' composed of oversight committee leadership and House and Senate leadership, based on fitness and without regard to political affiliation. The oversight committee leadership jointly recommends three individuals for Director appointment, and the Director is then appointed by a majority vote of the House and Senate leadership. The Director can be removed from office by a majority vote of the House and Senate leadership. Section 303 of Title 44 is amended to specify the Director's pay and clarifies that the Director is not considered to serve under a political appointment for certain purposes. A conforming amendment updates the table of sections for chapter 3 to include the new 'Definitions' section.

What does DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE. of Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act do?

This section amends titles 44 of the United States Code, specifically sections 302 and 304, concerning the Government Publishing Office (GPO). It establishes the position of a Deputy Director within the GPO and outlines their duties, including supervising GPO buildings and performing tasks assigned by the Director. The Director is required to appoint a Deputy Director within 120 days of their own appointment or a vacancy in the Deputy Director position. If the Director fails to appoint a Deputy Director within the specified timeframe, the oversight committee leadership will jointly recommend a candidate, and appointment requires a majority vote of House and Senate leadership. When the Director is absent, disabled, or there is no Director, the Deputy Director will act as Director. If both the Director and Deputy Director are absent or there is no Deputy Director, the oversight committee leadership will recommend an individual to serve as acting Director, with appointment requiring a majority vote of House and Senate leadership. An individual serving as acting Director has the same duties and authorities as the Director, including the power to delegate duties and authorities.

What does COPYRIGHT OFFICE. of Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act do?

This section amends Title 17, United States Code, to remove the supervisory authority of the Library of Congress over the Copyright Office. It modifies various sections within chapters 1, 7, and 8 of Title 17 to reflect this change, replacing references to the 'Librarian of Congress' with 'Register of Copyrights'. The appointment of the Register of Copyrights will now be made by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, following recommendations from committees in both the House and Senate. The Copyright Office's Inspector General will operate with increased independence, including budget independence and oversight mechanisms. Actions taken by the Copyright Office, Register of Copyrights, Copyright Royalty Judges, and Copyright Claims Board prior to the Act's enactment are ratified. The Library of Congress and other legislative branch entities may provide support to the Copyright Office through agreements.

What does GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE PERSONNEL REFORMS. of Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act do?

This section amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to include the Government Publishing Office. Specific paragraphs within Section 101(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act are modified to reflect this inclusion. Several sections of Title 5 of the United States Code are amended to conform to the changes made to the Congressional Accountability Act, removing references to the Government Publishing Office in some instances and clarifying definitions of 'agency'. Section 2301(a) of Title 5 is amended to state that the section applies to an Executive agency. Clause redesignations occur within Section 4301(1) of Title 5.

What does HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING of Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act do?

This section amends Section 305(a) of Title 44, United States Code, by revising terminology related to personnel. It establishes a human capital management system for the Government Publishing Office (GPO), designated as the 'system'. The system must incorporate merit system principles and prohibit certain personnel and political activities as outlined in Title 5. Appointments, promotions, and assignments within the GPO must be based on merit and fitness. The GPO's human capital management system is established without regard to Title 5 provisions governing the competitive service. The Director of the GPO may prescribe regulations for the system after public comment and approval from the Joint Committee on Printing. The section includes a savings clause stating that it does not affect pending proceedings or payments related to claims under specific laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A conforming amendment updates the table of sections for chapter 3 of Title 44 to include the new section 306A.

What does UPDATE TO PRINT REQUIREMENTS. of Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act do?

This section amends Section 501 of Title 44, United States Code, to clarify the Government Publishing Office's (GPO) authority to provide printing, binding, blank-book work, and publishing services. The GPO may provide these services to Congress, the Executive Office of the President, the Judiciary, and all executive departments, independent offices, and establishments of the U.S. Government. Section 207(a) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1993 (44 U.S.C. 501 note) is repealed. The table of sections for chapter 501 of Title 44, United States Code, is updated to reflect the revised section 501.

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Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act

Last updated: 6/9/2026 · Introduced: 11/12/2025

Author: H. Griffith (R-VA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a commission composed of congressional leadership to appoint and remove the Librarian of Congress, Director of the Government Publishing Office, and Deputy Director of the Government Publishing Office, based on fitness rather than political affiliation.
The bill creates a Deputy Librarian of Congress and a Deputy Director of the Government Publishing Office, outlining procedures for their appointment and succession in the absence of their superiors.
It removes the Library of Congress’s supervisory authority over the Copyright Office and establishes a process for the President, with Senate confirmation, to appoint the Register of Copyrights.
The bill establishes a merit-based human capital management system for the Government Publishing Office, separate from standard civil service regulations.
This legislation clarifies and expands the Government Publishing Office’s authority to provide printing and publishing services to various branches of the U.S. government.

119th Congresspassed houseOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 10 more.

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