Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act

This Act may be cited as the “Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act”.

(a) In general.— The Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–86; 129 Stat. 675), is amended—

(1) by redesignating section 3 as section 5;

(2) by redesignating section 2 as section 3;

(3) by inserting after section 1 the following:

“2. Definitions.— In this Act:

(1) Commission.— The term commission means a congressional commission consisting of the oversight committee leadership and the House and Senate leadership.

(2) Deputy Librarian.— The term Deputy Librarian means the Deputy Librarian of Congress.

(3) House and Senate leadership.— The term House and Senate leadership means the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the minority leader of the Senate.

(4) Librarian.— The term Librarian means the Librarian of Congress.

(5) Oversight committee leadership.— The term oversight committee leadership means the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives and the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.”; and

(4) in section 3, as so redesignated—

(A) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:

“(a) Appointment.—

(1) Commission.— The Librarian shall be appointed by the commission in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (2), without regard to political affiliation, and solely on the basis of fitness to perform the duties of the office.

(2) Appointment procedures.—

(A) Recommendation of 3 individuals.— If there is a vacancy in the position of Librarian, the oversight committee leadership shall jointly recommend 3 individuals for appointment to the vacant office.

(B) Selection by leaders.— The Librarian shall be appointed from among the 3 individuals recommended under subparagraph (A) upon a majority vote of the House and Senate leadership.”;

(B) in subsection (b), by striking “of Congress”;

(C) in subsection (c), by striking “of Congress, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,”; and

(D) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:

“(d) Removal.— The Librarian may be removed from office at any time upon a majority vote of the House and Senate leadership.”.

(b) Pay.— Section 904 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1983 (2 U.S.C. 136a–2) is amended—

(1) by inserting “(a)” before “Notwithstanding”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(b) The Librarian of Congress shall not be considered to serve under a political appointment for purposes of section 747 of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024 (division B of Public Law 118–47; 138 Stat. 585), or any other subsequently enacted similar provision of law.”.

The Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–86; 129 Stat. 675), is amended by inserting after section 3, as so redesignated, the following:

“4. Deputy Librarian of Congress.—

(a) Establishment of Deputy Librarian.—

(1) In general.— The Librarian shall appoint a suitable individual to be the Deputy Librarian of Congress.

(2) Duties.— The Librarian may delegate to the Deputy Librarian such duties as the Librarian determines are necessary or appropriate.

(b) Deadline.— The Librarian shall appoint a Deputy Librarian under subsection (a)(1) not later than 120 days after—

(1) the date on which the Librarian is appointed under section 3, if there is no Deputy Librarian on the date of the appointment; or

(2) the date on which a vacancy arises in the office of the Deputy Librarian.

(c) Failure to appoint.— If the Librarian does not appoint a Deputy Librarian on or before the applicable date specified in subsection (b)—

(1) the oversight committee leadership shall jointly recommend an individual for appointment to the vacant office; and

(2) upon a majority vote of the House and Senate leadership, the individual recommended under paragraph (1) shall be appointed as the Deputy Librarian.

(d) Notification.— If the position of Deputy Librarian becomes vacant, the Librarian shall immediately notify the members of the commission.

(e) Service as acting Librarian.—

(1) In general.— The Deputy Librarian shall act as Librarian if the Librarian is absent or disabled or there is no Librarian.

(2) Absence, disability, or vacancy in Office of Deputy Librarian.—

(A) In general.— For purposes of paragraph (1), if the Deputy Librarian is also absent or disabled or there is no Deputy Librarian—

(i) the oversight committee leadership shall jointly recommend an individual to be designated to serve as acting Librarian; and

(ii) upon a majority vote of the members of the House and Senate leadership, the individual recommended under clause (i) shall be designated to serve as acting Librarian.

(B) Period of appointment.— An individual designated as acting Librarian under subparagraph (A) may serve until—

(i) the end of the absence or disability of the Librarian or the Deputy Librarian; or

(ii) in the case of vacancies in both positions, a Librarian has been appointed under section 3.

(3) Authority.— An officer serving as acting Librarian under paragraph (1) or (2) shall perform all the duties and exercise all the authorities of the Librarian, including the authority to delegate the duties and authorities of the Librarian.”.

(a) In general.— Chapter 3 of title 44, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by inserting before section 301 the following:

“300. Definitions.— In this chapter—

(1) the term commission means a congressional commission consisting of the oversight committee leadership and the House and Senate leadership;

(2) the term House and Senate leadership means the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the minority leader of the Senate; and

(3) the term oversight committee leadership means the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives and the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.”; and

(2) in section 301—

(A) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:

“(a)

(1) The Government Publishing Office shall be headed by a Director.

(2)

(A) The Director shall be appointed by the commission in accordance with the procedures specified in subparagraph (B), without regard to political affiliation, and solely on the basis of fitness to perform the duties of the office.

(B)

(i) If there is a vacancy in the position of Director, the oversight committee leadership shall jointly recommend 3 individuals for appointment to the vacant office.

(ii) The Director shall be appointed from among the 3 individuals recommended under clause (i), upon a majority vote of the House and Senate leadership.”;

(B) in subsection (c), by striking “, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,”; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

“(d) The Director may be removed from office at any time upon a majority vote of the members of the House and Senate leadership.”.

(b) Pay.— Section 303 of title 44, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by inserting “(a)” before “The annual rate of pay for the Director of the Government Publishing Office”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(b) The Director of the Government Publishing Office shall not be considered to serve under a political appointment for purposes of section 747 of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024 (division B of Public Law 118–47; 138 Stat. 585), or any other subsequently enacted similar provision of law.”.

(c) Conforming amendment.— The table of sections for chapter 3 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by inserting before the item relating to section 301 the following:

(a) In general.— Section 302 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“302. Deputy Director of the Government Publishing Office: appointment; duties.—

(a) In this section—

(1) the term Deputy Director means the Deputy Director of the Government Publishing Office; and

(2) the term Director means the Director of the Government Publishing Office.

(b)

(1) The Director shall appoint a suitable person to be the Deputy Director.

(2) The Deputy Director shall supervise the buildings occupied by the Government Publishing Office and perform any other duties required by the Director.

(c) The Director shall appoint a Deputy Director under subsection (b)(1) not later than 120 days after—

(1) the date on which the Director is appointed under section 301, if there is no Deputy Director on the date of the appointment; or

(2) the date on which a vacancy arises in the office of the Deputy Director.

(d) If the Director does not appoint a Deputy Director on or before the applicable date specified in subsection (c)—

(1) the oversight committee leadership shall jointly recommend an individual for appointment to the vacant office; and

(2) upon a majority vote of the House and Senate leadership, the individual recommended under paragraph (1) shall be appointed as the Deputy Director.

(e) If the position of Deputy Director becomes vacant, the Director shall immediately notify the members of the commission.”.

(b) Service as acting Director.— Section 304 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“304. Director of the Government Publishing Office: vacancy in office.—

(a) In this section, the terms Deputy Director and Director have the meanings given such terms in section 302(a).

(b) The Deputy Director shall act as Director if the Director is absent or disabled or there is no Director.

(c)

(1) For purposes of subsection (b), if the Deputy Director is also absent or disabled or there is no Deputy Director—

(A) the oversight committee leadership shall jointly recommend an individual to be designated to serve as acting Director; and

(B) upon a majority vote of the House and Senate leadership, the individual recommended under subparagraph (A) shall be designated as the acting Director.

(2) An individual designated as acting Director under paragraph (1) may serve until—

(A) the end of the absence or disability of the Director or the Deputy Director; or

(B) in the case of vacancies in both positions, a Director has been appointed under section 301.

(d) An officer serving as acting Director under subsection (b) or (c) shall perform all the duties and exercise all the authorities of the Director, including the authority to delegate the duties and authorities of the Director.”.

(a) Removing supervisory authority of Library of Congress over Copyright Office.—

(1) In general.— Title 17, United States Code, is amended—

(A) in chapter 1—

(i) in section 111(d)—

(I) in paragraph (2), in the second sentence, by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(II) in paragraph (4)—

(aa) in subparagraph (B), in the second sentence, by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(bb) in subparagraph (C), by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”;

(ii) in section 112(e)(5), by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”;

(iii) in section 114(f)(2), by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”;

(iv) in section 115(d)—

(I) in paragraph (3)(A)(iv), by striking “, with the approval of the Librarian of Congress pursuant to section 702,”; and

(II) in paragraph (5)(A)(iv), by striking “, with the approval of the Librarian of Congress pursuant to section 702,”;

(v) in section 118(b)(2), by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(vi) in section 119(b)—

(I) in paragraph (3), in the second sentence, by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(II) in paragraph (5)—

(aa) in subparagraph (B), in the second sentence, by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(bb) in subparagraph (C), by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”;

(B) in chapter 7—

(i) in section 701—

(I) in subsection (a)—

(aa) in the first sentence, by striking “of the Library of Congress”; and

(bb) by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: “The Register of Copyrights shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, but before the President makes such an appointment, the chair and ranking minority member of each of the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate shall jointly recommend 3 individuals whom the President may consider in making the appointment. The subordinate officers and employees of the Copyright Office shall be appointed by the Register of Copyrights.”;

(II) in subsection (d)—

(aa) in the first sentence, by striking “the Librarian of”; and

(bb) by striking the second sentence; and

(III) in subsection (f), by striking the second and third sentences and inserting the following: “The Register of Copyrights shall establish not more than 4 positions for Associate Registers of Copyrights and shall make appointments to those positions.”;

(ii) in section 702, by striking the second sentence and inserting “The Register shall consult with the Librarian of Congress prior to establishing regulations that affect deposits made under sections 407 and 704 of this title. The Register shall consult with the Librarian of Congress before establishing any regulation under this title that affects the authority, rights, or access of the Library of Congress under this title with respect to any material deposited in the Copyright Office.”; and

(iii) in section 704(d), by striking “joint discretion of the Register and the Librarian” and inserting “discretion of the Register, in consultation with the Librarian,”;

(C) in chapter 8—

(i) in section 801—

(I) in subsection (a)—

(aa) in the first sentence, by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(bb) by striking the second sentence;

(II) in subsection (d), by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(III) in subsection (e)—

(aa) in the heading, by striking “Library of Congress” and inserting “Copyright Office”; and

(bb) by striking “Library of Congress” and inserting “Copyright Office”;

(ii) in section 802—

(I) in subsection (d)—

(aa) in paragraph (1), in the first sentence, by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(bb) in paragraph (2), by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”;

(II) in subsection (f)(2)—

(aa) in subparagraph (A), by striking “Library of Congress” and inserting “Copyright Office”; and

(bb) in subparagraph (B), by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”;

(III) in subsection (h), by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(IV) in subsection (i)—

(aa) by striking “Librarian of Congress” each place that term appears and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(bb) in the third sentence, by striking “Librarian” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(iii) in section 803—

(I) in subsection (a)(1), in the second sentence—

(aa) by striking “the Librarian of Congress” and inserting “the Register of Copyrights”; and

(bb) by striking “of the Librarian of Congress or” and inserting “of”;

(II) in subsection (b)(6)(A), in the second sentence, by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”;

(III) in subsection (c)(6)—

(aa) by striking “Librarian of Congress” each place that term appears and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(bb) in the second sentence, by striking “Librarian” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(IV) in subsection (e)(1)—

(aa) in the paragraph heading, by striking “library of congress and”; and

(bb) in subparagraph (A)—

(AA) by striking “The Librarian of Congress” and inserting “The Register of Copyrights”; and

(BB) by striking “the Librarian of Congress, the Copyright Office, and” and inserting “the Copyright Office and”;

(D) in section 1007—

(i) in subsection (b), in the third sentence, by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(ii) in subsection (c), in the third sentence, by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”;

(E) in section 1201(a)(1)—

(i) in subparagraph (C)—

(I) in the matter preceding clause (i)—

(aa) in the first sentence, by striking “the Librarian of Congress, upon the recommendation of the Register of Copyrights, who shall consult with the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce and report and comment on his or her views in making such recommendation” and inserting “the Register of Copyrights, after consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information”; and

(bb) in the second sentence, by striking “the Librarian” and inserting “the Register of Copyrights”; and

(II) in clause (v), by striking “Librarian” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking “Librarian” each place that term appears and inserting “Register of Copyrights”;

(F) in section 1331, by striking “of the Library of Congress”; and

(G) in chapter 15—

(i) in section 1502(b)—

(I) in paragraph (1)—

(aa) in the first sentence, by striking “recommend” and inserting “appoint”; and

(bb) by striking the second sentence;

(II) in paragraph (6)—

(aa) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking “the Librarian of Congress shall, upon the recommendation of, and in consultation with, the Register of Copyrights,” and inserting “the Register of Copyrights shall”; and

(bb) in subparagraph (B), by striking “the Librarian of Congress shall, upon recommendation of, and in consultation with, the Register of Copyrights,” and inserting “the Register of Copyrights shall”; and

(III) in paragraph (7), by striking “Librarian of Congress” and inserting “Register of Copyrights”; and

(ii) in section 1503(b)(3), by striking “Library of Congress or”.

(2) Amendments to other laws.—

(A) Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990.— Section 805(d) of the Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990 (17 U.S.C. 205 note; Public Law 101–650) is amended by striking the second sentence.

(B) Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act.— Section 2 of the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act (17 U.S.C. 1201 note; Public Law 113–144) is amended—

(i) in the heading, by striking “by Librarian of Congress”;

(ii) in subsection (a), by inserting after “United States Code,” the following: “(as in effect before the date of enactment of the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act)”;

(iii) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

“(2) as authorized by an exemption adopted by—

(A) the Librarian of Congress pursuant to a determination made on or after the date of enactment of this Act and before the date of enactment of the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act under section 1201(a)(1)(C) of title 17, United States Code; or

(B) the Register of Copyrights pursuant to a determination made on or after the date of enactment of the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act under section 1201(a)(1)(C) of title 17, United States Code,”; and

(iv) in subsection (d), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

“(2) Librarian of Congress; Register of Copyrights.— Nothing in this Act alters, or shall be construed to alter, the authority of—

(A) the Librarian of Congress under section 1201(a)(1) of title 17, United States Code, as in effect before the date of enactment of the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act; or

(B) the Register of Copyrights under section 1201(a)(1) of title 17, United States Code, as in effect on or after the date of enactment of the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act.”.

(C) Act of June 13, 1957.— The first section of the Act entitled “An Act to fix the responsibilities of certifying officers and disbursing officer of the Library of Congress”, approved June 13, 1957 (2 U.S.C. 142b), is amended by striking “, including the Copyright Office,”.

(b) Register of Copyrights qualifications; term of office.— Section 701(a) of title 17, United States Code, as amended by this section, is amended—

(1) by inserting before “shall be appointed by the President” the following: “shall be a citizen of the United States with a background and experience in copyright law, and”; and

(2) by inserting before “The subordinate officers” the following: “The Register of Copyrights shall be appointed for a term of 10 years, but if the Register is appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the most immediate predecessor was appointed, the Register shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. The Register may be reappointed for 1 or more additional terms of 5 years each.”.

(c) Establishment of Inspector General of the Copyright Office.— Section 1307 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 (2 U.S.C. 185), is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(i) Establishment of Inspector General of the Copyright Office as a separate office.—

(1) Office of Inspector General.— There is an Office of Inspector General within the Copyright Office which is an independent objective office to—

(A) conduct and supervise audits and investigations (excluding incidents involving violence and personal property) relating to the Copyright Office, except that nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to authorize the Inspector General to audit or investigate any operations or activities of the United States Capitol Police;

(B) provide leadership and coordination and recommend policies to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness; and

(C) provide a means of keeping the Register of Copyrights and the Congress fully and currently informed about problems and deficiencies relating to the administration and operations of the Copyright Office.

(2) Appointment of Inspector General; supervision; removal; pay; limits on bonuses; counsel.—

(A) Appointment and supervision.—

(i) In general.— There shall be at the head of the Office of Inspector General, an Inspector General who shall be appointed by the Register of Copyrights without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or investigations. The Inspector General shall report to, and be under the general supervision of, the Register of Copyrights.

(ii) Audits, investigations, and reports.— The Register of Copyrights shall have no authority to prevent or prohibit the Inspector General from—

(I) initiating, carrying out, or completing any audit or investigation;

(II) issuing any subpoena during the course of any audit or investigation; or

(III) issuing any report.

(B) Removal or transfer.—

(i) In general.— The Inspector General may be removed from office, or transferred to another position within, or another location of, the Copyright Office, by the Register of Copyrights.

(ii) Notice.— Not later than 30 days before the Register of Copyrights removes or transfers the Inspector General under clause (i), the Register of Copyrights shall communicate in writing the reason for the removal or transfer to—

(I) the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(II) the Committee on Rules and Administration and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

(iii) Applicability.— Nothing in this subparagraph shall prohibit a personnel action (except for removal or transfer) that is otherwise authorized by law.

(C) Pay.—

(i) In general.— The position of Inspector General shall—

(I) be classified as a position above GS–15 in accordance with section 5108 of title 5, United States Code; and

(II) have a rate of basic pay that is not less than the average rate of basic pay of all other employees in positions classified as above GS–15 of the Copyright Office calculated on an annual basis.

(ii) Adjustments.— The Register of Copyrights shall establish the amount of the annual adjustment in the rate of basic pay for the Inspector General in an amount equal to the average of the annual adjustments in the rate of basic pay provided to all other employees in positions classified as above GS–15 of the Copyright Office, in a manner consistent with section 5376 of title 5, United States Code.

(D) No bonuses.— The Inspector General may not receive any cash award or cash bonus, including a cash award under chapter 45 of title 5, United States Code.

(E) Counsel.— The Inspector General shall, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations governing selections, appointments, and employment at the Copyright Office, obtain legal advice from a counsel reporting directly to the Inspector General or another Inspector General.

(3) Duties, responsibilities, authority, and reports.—

(A) In general.— Sections 404, 405 (other than subsection (b)(13)), 406(a) (other than paragraphs (7) and (8) thereof), and 407 of title 5, United States Code, shall apply to the Inspector General of the Copyright Office and the Office of such Inspector General and such sections shall be applied to the Copyright Office and the Register of Copyrights by substituting—

(i) “Copyright Office” for “establishment”; and

(ii) “Register of Copyrights” for “head of the establishment”.

(B) Employees.—

(i) In general.— The Inspector General, in carrying out the provisions of this subsection, is authorized, without the supervision or approval of any other employee, office, or other entity within the Copyright Office, to select, appoint, and employ such officers and employees (including consultants) as may be necessary for carrying out the functions, powers, and duties of the Office of Inspector General subject to the provisions of law governing selections, appointments, and employment in the Copyright Office.

(ii) Security and suitability.— Appointments under the authority under clause (i) shall be made consistent with personnel security and suitability requirements.

(iii) Consultants.— Any appointment of a consultant under the authority under clause (i) shall be made consistent with section 406(a)(9) of title 5, United States Code.

(C) Law enforcement authority.—

(i) In general.— Subject to clause (ii), any supervisory special agent under the Inspector General and any special agent supervised by such a supervisory special agent is authorized to—

(I) make an arrest without a warrant while engaged in official duties as authorized under this section or any other statute for any offense against the United States committed in the presence of such supervisory special agent or special agent, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if such supervisory special agent or special agent has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony;

(II) seek and execute warrants for arrest, search of a premises, or seizure of evidence issued under the authority of the United States upon probable cause to believe that a violation has been committed; and

(III) carry a firearm while engaged in official duties as authorized under this section or any other statute.

(ii) Requirements to exercise authority.—

(I) Required certification.—

(aa) In general.— In order to exercise the authority under clause (i), a supervisory special agent or a special agent supervised by such a supervisory special agent shall certify that he or she—

(AA) is a citizen of the United States;

(BB) has successfully completed a basic law enforcement training program or military or other equivalent; and

(CC) is not prohibited from receiving a firearm under Federal law, including under section 922(g)(9) of title 18, United States Code, because of a conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

(bb) Additional requirements.— After providing notice to the appropriate committees of Congress, the Inspector General may add requirements to the certification required under item (aa), as determined appropriate by the Inspector General.

(II) Maintenance of requirements.— The Inspector General shall maintain firearms-related requirements (including quarterly firearms qualifications) and use of force training requirements that, except to the extent the Inspector General determines necessary to effectively carry out the duties of the Office of the Inspector General, are in accordance with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency use of force policies, which incorporate Department of Justice guidelines.

(III) Eligibility determination.—

(aa) In general.— The Inspector General shall—

(AA) determine whether an individual meets the requirements under this subparagraph; and

(BB) revoke any authority granted to an individual under clause (i) if the individual is not in compliance with the requirements of this subparagraph.

(bb) Reauthorization.— The Inspector General may reauthorize an individual to exercise the authority granted under clause (i) if the Inspector General determines the individual has achieved compliance with the requirements under this subparagraph.

(cc) Limitation on appeal.— A revocation of the authority granted under clause (i) shall not be subject to administrative, judicial, or other review, unless the revocation results in an adverse action. Such an adverse action may, at the election of the applicable individual, be reviewed in accordance with the otherwise applicable procedures.

(iii) Semiannual certification of program.—

(I) In general.— Before the first grant of authority under clause (i), and semiannually thereafter as part of the report under section 405 of title 5, United States Code, the Inspector General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a written certification that adequate internal safeguards and management procedures exist that, except to the extent the Inspector General determines necessary to effectively carry out the duties of the Office of the Inspector General, are in compliance with standards established by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, which incorporate Department of Justice guidelines, to ensure proper exercise of the powers authorized under this subparagraph.

(II) Suspension of authority.— The authority granted under this subparagraph (including any grant of authority to an individual under clause (i), without regard to whether the individual is in compliance with clause (ii)) may be suspended by the Inspector General if the Office of Inspector General fails to comply with the reporting and review requirements under subclause (I) of this clause or clause (iv). Any suspension of authority under this subclause shall be reported to the appropriate committees of Congress.

(iv) Peer review.— To ensure the proper exercise of the law enforcement powers authorized under this subparagraph, the Office of Inspector General shall submit to and participate in the external review process established by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency for ensuring that adequate internal safeguards and management procedures continue to exist. Under the review process, the exercise of the law enforcement powers by the Office of Inspector General shall be reviewed periodically by another Office of Inspector General or by a committee of Inspectors General. The results of each review shall be communicated in writing to the Inspector General, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and the appropriate committees of Congress.

(v) Alleged misconduct.— Any allegation of misconduct by an individual granted authority under clause (i) may be reviewed by the Integrity Committee of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

(vi) Appropriate committees of Congress.— In this paragraph, the term appropriate committees of Congress means—

(I) the Committee on Rules and Administration and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(II) the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(D) Budget independence.— The Register of Copyrights shall include the annual budget request of the Inspector General in the budget of the Copyright Office without change.”.

(d) Appointment of acting officers by acting Register.— Section 701(a) of title 17, United States Code, as amended by this section, is amended by adding at the end the following: “Any officer appointed by an acting Register of Copyrights, including a Copyright Royalty Judge, shall be an acting officer, and may be removed from office at any time by an individual serving in the office of Register of Copyrights pursuant to an appointment by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.”.

(e) Ratification of actions taken by copyright entities prior to enactment.— Each action taken under title 17, United States Code, by the Copyright Office, the Register of Copyrights, the Copyright Royalty Judges, or the Copyright Claims Board during the period beginning on May 8, 2025, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act is ratified and shall be given full force and effect.

(f) Support agreements; reimbursement.— Section 701 of title 17, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(g) Support agreements; reimbursement.— The Library of Congress and any other agency or office in the legislative branch of the Federal Government may provide administrative, facilities, financial management, information technology, legal, security, and other appropriate support to the Copyright Office as provided under an agreement for services entered into by the applicable agency or office and the Copyright Office.”.

(g) Transition provisions.— During the period specified in paragraph (1):

(1) Period.— The period specified in this paragraph is the period that begins on the date of the enactment of this Act and ends on September 30, 2029.

(2) Transfers of appropriations.— The Register of Copyrights and the Librarian of Congress may enter into such agreements as necessary to transfer appropriated amounts from one to the other if such amounts are necessary to carry out this Act and effectuate the separation of the Copyright Office and the Library of Congress.

(3) Personnel.— The laws with respect to the personnel of the Federal Government shall apply to the personnel of the Copyright Office to the same extent as such laws apply to the Library of Congress. Each officer or employee of the Copyright Office shall be appointed solely with reference to the fitness of the officer or employee to carry out the particular duties of the officer or employee.

(a) Application of the Congressional Accountability Act to the Government Publishing Office.— Section 101(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301(a)) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (3)—

(A) in subparagraph (J), by striking “or”;

(B) in subparagraph (K), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; or”; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

“(L) the Government Publishing Office.”;

(2) in paragraph (7), by striking “through (K)” and inserting “through (L)”;

(3) in paragraph (8), by striking “through (K)” and inserting “through (L)”; and

(4) in paragraph (9)(D)—

(A) by striking “and the John” and inserting “the John”; and

(B) by inserting “, and the Government Publishing Office” before “; or”.

(b) Conforming amendments.—

(1) Section 2301(a) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“(a) This section shall apply to an Executive agency.”.

(2) Section 2302(a)(2)(C) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking “and the Government Publishing Office”.

(3) Section 4301(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—

(A) by striking “(1) agency means—” and all that follows through “but does not include—” and inserting the following:

“(1) agency means an Executive agency, but does not include—”; and

(B) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).

(4) Section 4701(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking “and the Government Publishing Office”.

(5) Section 5102(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—

(A) by striking subparagraph (D); and

(B) redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively.

(a) In general.— Section 305(a) of title 44, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in the first sentence—

(A) by striking “other persons” and inserting “other people”; and

(B) by striking “the persons employed” and inserting “those employed”;

(2) in the second sentence, by striking “persons” and inserting “people”;

(3) by striking the third sentence; and

(4) by striking “oftener than once a year.” and inserting “more often than once a year.”.

(b) Human capital management system.—

(1) In general.— Chapter 3 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 306 the following:

“306A. Director of the Government Publishing Office; human capital management system.—

(a) The Director of the Government Publishing Office shall establish and maintain a human capital management system (in this section referred to as the “system”).

(b) The system shall—

(1) include the merit system principles set forth under section 2301(b) of title 5;

(2) prohibit any personnel practice prohibited under section 2302(b) of title 5;

(3) prohibit any political activity prohibited under subchapter III of chapter 73 of title 5;

(4) ensure that officers and employees of the Government Publishing Office are appointed, promoted, and assigned only on the basis of merit and fitness;

(5) be established without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments and other personnel actions in the competitive service; and

(6) give a preference to an individual eligible for a hiring preference in the executive branch of the United States Government in a way and to an extent consistent with the preference given the individual for a position in the executive branch.

(c)

(1) The Director may prescribe regulations about the system only—

(A) after notice and opportunity for public comment; and

(B) with the approval of the Joint Committee on Printing.

(2) An officer or employee of the Government Publishing Office may not make a reprisal or threat of reprisal against another officer or employee of the Government Publishing Office because of comments on a proposed regulation about the system.”.

(2) Conforming amendment.— The table of sections for chapter 3 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 306 the following:

(c) Savings clause.— Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to affect any proceeding or payment of an award or settlement relating to a claim which is pending on the effective date of this section under—

(1) title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.);

(2) chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code (relating to Federal service labor-management relations);

(3) an appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board; or

(4) subchapter II, chapter 12, of title 5, United States Code.

(a) In general.— Section 501 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“501. Government printing, binding, blank-book work, and publishing services by the Government Publishing Office.— The Government Publishing Office may perform printing, binding, blank-book work, and publishing services for Congress, the Executive Office of the President, the Judiciary, and every executive department, independent office, and establishment of the Government.”.

(b) Conforming amendments.—

(1) Section 207(a) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1993 (44 U.S.C. 501 note) is repealed.

(2) The table of sections for chapter 501 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 501 and inserting the following:

(a) In general.— Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall apply on and after the date of enactment of this Act.

(b) Exceptions.—

(1) Librarian.—

(A) Appointment.— Subsection (a) of section 3 of the Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015, as redesignated and amended by this Act, shall apply to any appointment to the position of Librarian of Congress made on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(B) Removal.— Subsection (d) of section 3 of the Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015, as redesignated and amended by this Act, shall apply with respect to an individual appointed to the position of Librarian of Congress before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(C) Pay.— Subsection (b) of section 904 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1983 (2 U.S.C. 136a–2), as added by this Act, shall apply on and after the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(2) Deputy Librarian appointment.— Subsections (a)(1), (b), and (c) of section 4 of the Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015, as added by this Act, shall apply to any appointment to the position of Deputy Librarian of Congress made on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(3) Director of GPO.—

(A) Appointment.— Subsection (a)(2) of section 301 of title 44, United States Code, as amended by this Act, shall apply to any appointment to the position of Director of the Government Publishing Office made on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(B) Removal.— Subsection (d) of section 301 of title 44, United States Code, as added by this Act, shall apply with respect to an individual appointed to the position of Director of the Government Publishing Office before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(C) Pay.— Subsection (b) of section 303 of title 44, United States Code, as added by this Act, shall apply on and after the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(4) Deputy Director of GPO appointment.— Subsections (b)(1), (c), and (d) of section 302 of title 44, United States Code, as added by this Act, shall apply to any appointment to the position of Deputy Director of the Government Publishing Office made on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(5) Register of Copyrights; subordinate officers and employees generally.— Section 701(a) of title 17, United States Code, as amended by this Act, shall apply to any appointment to the position of Register of Copyrights or to the position of a subordinate officer or employee of the Copyright Office made on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(6) Associate Registers of Copyrights.— Section 701(f) of title 17, United States Code, as amended by this Act, shall apply to any appointment to the position of Associate Register of Copyrights made on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(7) Copyright Royalty Judges.— Sections 801(a) and 802(d)(1) of title 17, United States Code, as amended by this Act, shall apply to any appointment to the position of Copyright Royalty Judge (including the Chief Copyright Royalty Judge or an interim Copyright Royalty Judge) made on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(8) Copyright Claims Officers.— Section 1502(b)(1) of title 17, United States Code, as amended by this Act, shall apply to any appointment to the position of Copyright Claims Officer made on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(9) Human Capital Management System for the Government Publishing Office.— Section 9 and the amendments made by section 9 shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

If any provision of this Act or any amendment made by this Act, or the application of any such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, and the application of such provision or amendment to any other person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.