H. R. 3864

One Hundred Fourth Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE SECOND SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,

the third day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-six

An Act

To amend laws authorizing auditing, reporting, and other functions by the General

Accounting Office.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of

the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘General Accounting Office Act

of 1996’’.

TITLE I—AMENDMENTS TO LAWS

AUTHORIZING AUDITING, REPORTING, AND OTHER FUNCTIONS BY THE

GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE

SEC. 101. TRANSFERS AND TERMINATIONS OF FUNCTIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL.— (1) FUNCTIONS TRANSFERRED.—In any case in which a

provision of law authorizing the performance of a function

by the Comptroller General of the United States or the General

Accounting Office is amended by this title to substitute another

Federal officer, employee, or agency in that authorization, the

authority under that provision to perform that function is transferred to the other Federal officer, employee, or agency.

(2) FUNCTIONS TERMINATED.—In any case in which a provision of law authorizing the performance of a function by the

Comptroller General of the United States or the General

Accounting Office is repealed by this Act, the authority under

that provision to perform that function is terminated.

(3) DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS.—The Director of the Office

of Management and Budget may delegate, in whole or in part,

to any other agency or agencies any function transferred to

or vested in the Director under section 103(d), 105(b), 116,

or 202(n) of this Act, and may transfer to such agency or

agencies any personnel, budget authority, records, and property

received by the Director pursuant to subsection (b) of this

section that relate to the delegated functions.

(b) INCIDENTAL TRANSFERS.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Incident to any transfer of authority

under subsection (a)(1), there shall be transferred to the recipient Federal officer, employee, or agency such personnel, records,

budget authority, and property of the General Accounting Office
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as the Comptroller General and the Director of the Office

of Management and Budget jointly determine to be necessary

to effectuate the transfer.

(2) EFFECT ON PERSONNEL.—Personnel transferred under

this section shall not be separated or reduced in classification

or compensation for one year after any such transfer, except

for cause.

(c) REFERENCES.—With respect to any function or authority

transferred under this Act and exercised on or after the effective

date of that transfer, reference in any Federal law to the Comptroller General or to any officer or employee of the General Accounting

Office is deemed to refer to the Federal officer or agency to which

the function or authority is transferred under this Act.

(d) SAVINGS PROVISIONS.—

(1) ORDERS AND OTHER OFFICIAL ACTIONS NOT AFFECTED.—

All orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, grants,

contracts, certificates, licenses, and privileges—

(A) which have been issued, made, granted, or allowed

to become effective by the Comptroller General or any

official of the General Accounting Office, or by a court

of competent jurisdiction, in the performance of any function or authority transferred under this Act, and

(B) which are in effect at the time of the transfer;

shall continue in effect according to their terms until modified,

terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in accordance

with law.

(2) PENDING MATTERS AND PROCEEDINGS.—This Act shall

not affect any pending matters or proceedings, including notices

of proposed rulemaking, relating to a function or authority

transferred under this Act. Such matters or proceedings shall

continue under the authority of the agency to which the function

or authority is transferred until completed or terminated in

accordance with law.

(3) JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND CAUSES OF ACTIONS.—No

suit, action, or other proceeding or cause of action relating

to a function or authority transferred under this Act shall

abate by reason of the enactment of this Act. If, before the

date on which a transfer of a function or authority this Act

takes effect, the Comptroller General of the United States

or any officer or employee of the General Accounting Office

in their official capacity is party to a suit relating to the

function or authority, then such suit shall be continued and

the head of the agency to which the function or authority

is transferred, or other appropriate official of that agency, shall

be substituted or added as a party.

(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), this

title shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

(2) EXCEPTIONS.—Sections 103(d), 105(b), and 116 shall

take effect 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

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

(THE CONGRESS).

(a) COMPLIANCE REPORTING ON REDUCTION IN EMPLOYEE POSITIONS.—Section 307(c) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations

Act, 1994 (Public Law 103–69; 107 Stat. 710; 2 U.S.C. 60–1 note)

is amended by striking ‘‘shall’’ and inserting ‘‘may’’.
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(b) WAIVER OF ERRONEOUS PAYMENTS IN THE SENATE.—Section

2(a) of the Act of July 25, 1974 (Public Law 93–359; 88 Stat.

394; 2 U.S.C. 130c(a)) is amended—

(1) in the first sentence by striking ‘‘, if the claim is not

the subject of an exception made by the Comptroller General

in the account of any accountable officer or official’’; and

(2) in the third sentence by striking ‘‘shall’’ the first place

it appears and inserting ‘‘may’’.

(c) WAIVER OF ERRONEOUS PAYMENTS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.—Section 3(a) of the Act of July 25, 1974 (Public

Law 93–359; 88 Stat. 395; 2 U.S.C. 130d(a)) is amended, in the

first sentence, by striking ‘‘, if the claim is not the subject of

an exception made by the Comptroller General in the account

of any accountable officer or official’’.

(d) REPORT ON SEQUESTRATION OF FUNDS TO MEET DEFICIT

REDUCTION GOALS.—Section 254 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 904) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking:

‘‘30 days later ..................................... GAO compliance report.’’;

and

(2) in subsection (i), by striking ‘‘On the date specified

in subsection (a)’’ and inserting ‘‘Upon request of the Committee

on the Budget of the House of Representatives or the Senate’’.

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

(GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES).

(a) TRANSMITTAL OF REPORTS.—Section 1213(e) of title 5, United

States Code, is amended—

(1) in paragraph (3) by striking the comma after ‘‘President’’

and inserting ‘‘and’’, and by striking ‘‘, and the Comptroller

General’’; and

(2) in paragraph (4) by striking the comma after ‘‘President’’

and inserting ‘‘and’’, and by striking ‘‘, and the Comptroller

General’’.

(b) WITHHOLDING OF PAY.—Section 5512(b) of title 5, United

States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘General Accounting Office’’

and inserting ‘‘employing agency’’.

(c) DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY.—Section 5582(a) of title 5,

United States Code, is amended by striking the second sentence

and inserting the following: ‘‘An employee may change or revoke

a designation at any time under regulations promulgated—

‘‘(1) by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management

or his designee, in the case of an employee of an executive

agency;

‘‘(2) jointly by the President pro tempore of the Senate

and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or their

designee, in the case of an employee of the legislative branch;

and

‘‘(3) by the Chief Justice of the United States or his or

her designee, in the case of an employee of the judicial branch.’’.

(d) WAIVER OF ERRONEOUS PAYMENTS.—Section 5584 of title

5, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General

of the United States’’ and inserting ‘‘authorized

official’’; and
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(B) in paragraph (2) by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the end

of subparagraph (A), by striking subparagraph (B), by

redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B), and

by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’ in subparagraph (B) (as

so redesignated) and inserting ‘‘authorized official’’;

(2) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’ and

inserting ‘‘authorized official’’; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

‘‘(g) For the purpose of this section, the term ‘authorized

official’ means—

‘‘(1) the head of an agency, with respect to an agency

or employee in the legislative branch; or

‘‘(2) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget,

with respect to any other agency or employee.’’.

(e) REGULATIONS AND REPORTS.—Section 5707(b)(1)(A) of title

5, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘the Comptroller

General of the United States,’’.

(f) GAO AUDIT OF AGENCY COMPLIANCE.—Section 5(b) of the

Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–391;

5 U.S.C. 5707 note) is repealed.

(g) PROCEDURES FOR DEPOSIT OF EMPLOYEES’ CONTRIBUTIONS

TO RETIREMENT FUNDS.—Sections 8334(a)(2), 8422(c), and 8432(f)

of title 5, United States Code, are each amended by striking

‘‘Comptroller General of the United States’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary

of the Treasury’’.

(h) TRANSMITTAL OF COPY OF REPORT ON THE CIVIL SERVICE

RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY FUND.—Section 8348(l) of title 5,

United States Code, is amended by striking the last sentence in

paragraph (1).

(i) TRANSMITTAL OF COPY OF REPORT ON THE THRIFT SAVINGS

FUND.—Section 8438(h) of title 5, United States Code, is amended

by striking ‘‘and the Comptroller General of the United States’’

in the last sentence of paragraph (1).

(j) RECEIPT OF COPY OF CPA EXAMINATION OF THRIFT SAVINGS

FUND.—Section 8439(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code, is amended

by striking ‘‘and the Comptroller General of the United States’’.

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

(AGRICULTURE).

(a) AUDIT OF WASHINGTON FAMILY INDEPENDENCE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.—Section 21(g) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7

U.S.C. 2030(g)) is amended by striking ‘‘shall’’ and inserting ‘‘may’’.

(b) REPORTS ON AMOUNTS OBLIGATED AND EXPENDED BY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ADVISORY SERVICES.—Section

641 of the Rural Development, Agriculture, and Related Agencies

Appropriations Act, 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2207a) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) by striking ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘(a)’’;

(B) by striking ‘‘shall (A) submit’’ and inserting ‘‘shall

submit’’; and

(C) by striking ‘‘, and (B) transmit a copy of such

report to the Comptroller General of the United States’’;

(2) by striking subsection (b);

(3) by redesignating paragraph (2) of subsection (a) as

subsection (b); and

(4) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)—
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(A) by striking ‘‘paragraph (1)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)’’; and

(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C)

as paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively.

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

(ARMED FORCES).

(a) WAIVER OF RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUS ANNUITY PAYMENTS.—

Sections 1442 and 1453 of title 10, United States Code, are amended

by striking ‘‘and the Comptroller General’’.

(b) WAIVER OF RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUS OVERPAYMENTS.—

Section 2774 of such title is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’

and inserting ‘‘Director of the Office of Management and

Budget’’; and

(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the end

of subparagraph (A), striking subparagraph (B), redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B), and in that

subparagraph (as so redesignated), striking ‘‘Comptroller

General’’ and inserting ‘‘Director of the Office of Management and Budget’’; and

(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘The Comptroller General’’

and inserting ‘‘The Director of the Office of Management and

Budget’’.

(c) CERTIFICATION TO COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF

UNCOLLECTABILITY OF ADVANCES.—Section 2777(b)(2)(B) of such

title is amended by striking ‘‘to the Comptroller General’’.

(d) MAINTAINING ACCOUNTS OF MILITARY DEPARTMENTS.— Section 2778 of such title is repealed, and the table of sections

at the beginning of chapter 165 of such title is amended by striking

the item relating to that section.

(e) RADIOGRAMS AND TELEGRAMS.—Sections 4592 and 9592 of

such title are amended by striking ‘‘, or may file a claim with

the General Accounting Office for’’ in the second sentence and

inserting ‘‘of’’.

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

(BANKS AND BANKING).

(a) REPORT ON PREPURCHASE AND FORECLOSURE-PREVENTION

COUNSELING DEMONSTRATION.—Section 106(d) of the Housing and

Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x(d)) is amended—

(1) by striking paragraph (9);

(2) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ‘‘(10)(K)’’ and

inserting ‘‘(9)’’;

(3) in paragraph (8), by striking ‘‘(for purposes of the study

and report under paragraph (9))’’; and

(4) by redesignating paragraphs (10), (11), (12), and (13)

as paragraphs (9), (10), (11), and (12), respectively.

(b) ANNUAL GAO COMPLIANCE AUDIT.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 141(a)(2) of the Federal Deposit

Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C.

1823 note) is amended by striking ‘‘shall annually audit’’ and

inserting ‘‘shall audit, under such conditions as the Comptroller

General determines to be appropriate,’’.

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The heading for paragraph (2)

of section 141(a) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
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Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 1823 note) is amended

by striking ‘‘ANNUAL GAO’’ and inserting ‘‘GAO’’.

(c) QUARTERLY REPORT ON FDIC COMPLIANCE WITH LIMITS

ON OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS.—Section 102 of the Federal Deposit

Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 1825

note) is amended by striking subsection (b).

(d) PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTION: GAO REVIEW.—Section

38(k)(5) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831o(k)(5))

is amended to read as follows:

‘‘(5) GAO REVIEW.—The Comptroller General of the United

States shall, under such conditions as the Comptroller General

determines to be appropriate, review reports made under paragraph (1) and recommend improvements in the supervision

of insured depository institutions (including the implementation

of this section).’’.

(e) GAO REPORTS ON RISK-BASED INSURANCE PREMIUMS,

ACCESS TO ASSOCIATION CAPITAL, AND SUPPLEMENTAL PREMIUMS.—

Section 204(a) of the Farm Credit Banks and Associations Safety

and Soundness Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–552; 106 Stat. 4106;

12 U.S.C. 2277a–4 note) is amended by striking ‘‘shall’’ and inserting ‘‘may’’.

(f) REVIEW OF FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE

CORPORATION GUARANTEE FEES.—Section 8.10(b)(4) of the Farm

Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2279aa–10(b)(4)) is amended—

(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘‘ANNUAL REVIEW’’

and inserting ‘‘REVIEW’’; and

(2) by striking ‘‘shall annually’’ and inserting ‘‘may’’.

(g) GAO STUDIES OF APPRAISALS.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1112(c) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C.

3341) is amended—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘At the end of the

18-month period’’ and all that follows through ‘‘study’’ and

inserting ‘‘The Comptroller General of the United States

may conduct, under such conditions as the Comptroller

General determines appropriate, studies’’; and

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘required under’’ and

inserting ‘‘referred to in’’.

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The heading for section

1112(c)(1) of Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and

Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3341(c)(1)) is amended

by striking ‘‘STUDY REQUIRED’’ and inserting ‘‘GAO STUDIES’’.

(h) AUDIT OF OFFICE OF FEDERAL HOUSING ENTERPRISE

OVERSIGHT.—Section 1319E of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4524) is amended—

(1) in the first sentence—

(A) by striking ‘‘shall’’ and inserting ‘‘may’’; and

(B) by inserting ‘‘, and any such audit shall be

conducted’’ after ‘‘Office’’; and

(2) by striking the last sentence.

(i) SHARING OF INFORMATION.—Section 11(t) of the Federal

Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(t)) is amended by adding

at the end of paragraph (2)(A) the following new clause:

‘‘(vi) The General Accounting Office.’’.
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SEC. 107. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 15, UNITED STATES CODE

(COMMERCE AND TRADE).

Section 31(b)(1)(B) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control

Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2227(b)(1)(B)) is amended by striking clause

(iii).

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

(CONSERVATION).

(a) LICENSES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF WATER RESOURCES.—

Section 6 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 799) is amended

by striking the last sentence.

(b) AUDIT OF THE BROWNSVILLE WETLANDS POLICY CENTER.—

Section 202(d)(4) of the Brownsville Wetlands Policy Act of 1994

(108 Stat. 338) is repealed.

(c) AUDIT OF CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT COST ALLOCATION.—

Section 211 of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and

Adjustment Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–575) is amended—

(1) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General of the United States’’

and inserting ‘‘Inspector General of the Department of the

Interior’’; and

(2) by striking ‘‘in accordance with regulations which the

Comptroller General shall prescribe’’.

(d) REPORT ON GLEN CANYON COSTS AND BENEFITS.—Section

1804 of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment

Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–575) is amended—

(1) by striking subsection (b); and

(2) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as

subsections (b), (c), and (d), respectively.

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

(CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE).

(a) PRESIDENTIAL PROTECTION ASSISTANCE: DETERMINATION OF

FAIR MARKET VALUE OF IMPROVEMENTS.—Section 5(b) of the Presidential Protection Assistance Act of 1976 (Public Law 94–524; 90

Stat. 2476; 18 U.S.C. 3056 note) is amended by striking

‘‘Comptroller General of the United States’’ and inserting ‘‘Director’’.

(b) DISPUTES OVER PURCHASE OF PRISON-MADE PRODUCTS BY

FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS.—Section 4124(b) of title 18, United States

Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Comptroller General of the United

States’’ and inserting ‘‘Attorney General’’.

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

(CUSTOMS DUTIES).

(a) AUDITS OF THE CUSTOMS FORFEITURE FUND.—Section

613A(e)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1613b(e)(2)) is

amended—

(1) by striking ‘‘annual financial’’; and

(2) by inserting before the period the following: ‘‘, under

such conditions as the Comptroller General determines

appropriate’’.

(b) REPORT ON BUSINESSES ESTABLISHED BY CUSTOMS SERVICE

FOR UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS.—Section 3131(b) of the Anti-Drug

Abuse Act of 1986 (19 U.S.C. 2081(b)) is amended by striking

‘‘and the Comptroller General’’.
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SEC. 111. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 22, UNITED STATES CODE

(FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE).

(a) ACCOUNTS OF ADVANCES FOR OPERATIONS OF THE

INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION ON THE UNITED STATES-CANADA

BOUNDARY WATERS.—The first section of the Act of March 2, 1921

(chapter 113; 22 U.S.C. 268b) is amended by striking ‘‘chiefs of

parties’’ the first place it appears and all that follows through

‘‘chiefs of parties’’ the next place it appears and inserting ‘‘chiefs

of parties’’.

(b) PREPARATION OF SCOPE OF AUDIT AND REVIEW OF AUDITS

OF INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK.—Section 14 of the

Inter-American Development Bank Act (22 U.S.C. 283j–1) is

amended—

(1) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘Comptroller General of

the United States shall prepare for the Secretary of the

Treasury’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Treasury shall prepare’’; and

(2) in subsection (c), in the second sentence, by striking

‘‘shall periodically’’ and inserting ‘‘may’’.

(c) REPORTS BY THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE.—Section

4 of the Foreign Direct Investment and International Financial

Data Improvements Act of 1990 (22 U.S.C. 3143) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘report required under’’

and inserting ‘‘reports referred to in’’; and

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) by striking ‘‘(b)’’ and all that follows through ‘‘shall

submit’’ and inserting ‘‘(b) REPORTS.—Consistent with the

provisions of this section, the Comptroller General may

submit’’;

(B) by striking ‘‘Congress, a report’’ and inserting

‘‘Congress reports’’;

(C) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘the report of the

Secretary of Commerce’’ and inserting ‘‘reports issued by

the Secretary of Commerce under section 3’’; and

(D) by striking the last sentence of the subsection.

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

(INDIANS).

(a) COPIES OF INDIAN SERVICE CONTRACTS.—Section 7 of the

Act of March 3, 1875 (25 U.S.C. 96), is repealed.

(b) COPIES OF INDIAN SERVICE CONTRACT BIDS.—Section 3 of

the Act of August 15, 1876 (25 U.S.C. 97), is amended by striking

‘‘; and an abstract of all bids or proposals received for the supplies

or services embraced in any contract shall be attached to, and

filed with, the said contract when the same is filed in the office

of the Second Comptroller of the Treasury’’ and inserting in lieu

thereof a period.

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

(INTERNAL REVENUE CODE).

Section 7608(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26

U.S.C. 7608(c)(2)), is amended by striking ‘‘and the Comptroller

General of the United States’’.
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SEC. 114. AMENDMENT RELATING TO TITLE 28, UNITED STATES CODE

(JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE).

Section 2410(e) of title 28, United States Code, is amended

by striking, in the second sentence, ‘‘shall so report to the

Comptroller General who’’.

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

(MONEY AND FINANCE).

(a) TREATMENT OF RECORDS CONTAINING BANKING AGENCY

INFORMATION.—Section 714(d) of title 31, United States Code, is

amended by striking the last sentence of paragraph (1) and by

amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:

‘‘(2) The Comptroller General shall prevent unauthorized access

to records or property of or used by an agency that the Comptroller

General obtains during an audit.’’.

(b) REPORT ON AUDITS AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF TAXPAYER

INFORMATION.—Section 719 of title 31, United States Code, is

amended—

(1) by striking subsection (d); and

(2) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i)

as subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively.

(c) COMPLIANCE REPORTING ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—

Section 308(c) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1994

(Public Law 103–69; 107 Stat. 710; 31 U.S.C. 1105 note) is amended

by striking ‘‘shall’’ and inserting ‘‘may’’.

(d) PAYING CHECKS AND DRAFTS.—Section 3328 of title 31,

United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘until the Comptroller

General settles the question’’ and inserting ‘‘until the question

is settled’’;

(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ‘‘on settlement by the

Comptroller General’’; and

(3) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘With the approval of

the Comptroller General, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’.

(e) WITHHOLDING CHECKS TO BE SENT TO FOREIGN

COUNTRIES.—Section 3329(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code,

is amended by striking the last two sentences and inserting ‘‘The

Secretary shall credit the accounts of the drawer and drawee.’’.

(f) PROPERTY RETURNS.—

(1) REPEAL.—Section 3531 of title 31, United States Code,

is repealed.

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the

beginning of chapter 35 of title 31, United States Code, is

amended by striking the item relating to section 3531.

(g) CLAIMS COLLECTION AND COMPROMISE.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 3711 of title 31, United States

Code, is amended—

(A) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting before the

semicolon the following: ‘‘, except that only the Comptroller

General may compromise a claim arising out of an exception the Comptroller General makes in the account of an

accountable official’’;

(B) by striking subsection (b);

(C) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f)

and the first subsection (g) in order as subsections (b),

(c), (d), (e), and (f); and
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(D) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated), by striking

‘‘and the Comptroller General’’ and by striking ‘‘jointly’’

from paragraph (2).

(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— (A) Section 3701(d) of title 31, United States Code,

is amended by striking ‘‘3711(f)’’ and inserting ‘‘3711(e)’’.

(B) Section 552a of title 5, United States Code, is

amended by striking ‘‘3711(f)’’ each place it appears and

inserting ‘‘3711(e)’’.

(C) Section 2780(b) of title 10, United States Code,

is amended by striking ‘‘3711(f)’’ and inserting ‘‘3711(e)’’.

(D) Section 4(d)(6) of the State Department Basic

Authorities Act of 1956 (Chapter 841; 22 U.S.C. 2671(d)(6))

is amended by striking ‘‘3711(f)’’ and inserting ‘‘3711(e)’’.

(E) Section 204(f)(1) of the Social Security Act (42

U.S.C. 404(f)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘3711(f)’’ and

inserting ‘‘3711(e)’’.

(h) AUDIT OF PROCEEDS FROM SALES OF COMMEMORATIVE

COINS.—Section 303 of Public Law 103–186 (31 U.S.C. 5112 note)

is amended—

(1) by striking ‘‘Before the end of the 1-year period’’ and

all that follows through ‘‘the Comptroller General of the United

States shall’’ and inserting ‘‘The Comptroller General of the

United States may’’; and

(2) by striking ‘‘sale of such coins’’ and inserting ‘‘sale

of commemorative coins’’.

(i) REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL

FINANCING.—Section 6 of the Cash Management Improvement Act

of 1990 (31 U.S.C. 6503 note) is repealed.

(j) CONSULTATION ON ACCOUNTING, AUDIT AND FISCAL

PROCEDURES.—Section 6703(d)(6) of title 31, United States Code,

is amended by striking ‘‘after consultation with the Comptroller

General of the United States’’.

(k) REVIEWS OF LOCAL PARTNERSHIP ACT PROGRAM.—Section

6718(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking

‘‘shall’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘may’’.

SEC. 116. AMENDMENT TO TITLE 32, UNITED STATES CODE (NATIONAL

GUARD).

Section 716 of title 32, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’

and inserting ‘‘Director of the Office of Management and

Budget’’; and

(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the end

of subparagraph (A), striking subparagraph (B), redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B), and in that

subparagraph (as so redesignated), striking ‘‘Comptroller

General’’ and inserting ‘‘Director of the Office of

Management and Budget’’; and

(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘The Comptroller General’’

and inserting ‘‘The Director of the Office of Management and

Budget’’.

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

(NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS).

Section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992

(106 Stat. 4831–4832; 33 U.S.C. 2281 note) is repealed.
H. R.3864—11

SEC. 118. AMENDMENT TO TITLE 37, UNITED STATES CODE (PAY AND

ALLOWANCES OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES).

Section 902(b) of title 37, United States Code, is amended

by striking ‘‘the General Accounting Office, under the direction

of the Secretary of the Navy, may’’ and inserting ‘‘the Secretary

of the Navy may’’.

SEC. 119. AMENDMENT TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE (VETERANS’

BENEFITS).

Section 711(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended

by inserting ‘‘, upon request of either of such Committees,’’ in

the first sentence after ‘‘the Comptroller General shall’’.

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

(PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PROPERTY, AND WORKS).

(a) PAYMENT OF EXPENSES OF SALES FROM PROCEEDS.—Section

1 of the Act of June 8, 1896 (29 Stat. 268; 40 U.S.C. 485a) is

amended by striking ‘‘, as approved by the accounting officers

of the Treasury,’’.

(b) FURNISHING DETERMINATIONS TO THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING

OFFICE.—Section 210(a)(8) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 490(a)(8)) is amended by

striking ‘‘. A copy of every such determination so made shall be

furnished to the General Accounting Office’’.

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

(PUBLIC CONTRACTS).

(a) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW OF FRAUDULENT WAR

CONTRACT SETTLEMENTS.—Section 16 of the Contract Settlement

Act of 1944 (41 U.S.C. 116) is repealed.

(b) RECORDS OF WAR CONTRACT FINANCING AND

TERMINATIONS.—Section 18(a) of the Contract Settlement Act of

1944 (41 U.S.C. 118(a)) is amended—

(1) by striking ‘‘(1)’’; and

(2) by striking ‘‘; and (2) the records in connection therewith

to be transmitted to the General Accounting Office’’.

(c) COPIES OF CONTRACTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINATIONS.—Section 307(b) of the Federal Property and Administrative

Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 257(b)) is amended by striking

the second sentence.

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

(PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE).

(a) CONSULTATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES OF THE

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.—Section 408(a)(3) of the Public

Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284c(a)(3)) is amended by striking

the last sentence.

(b) AUDIT OF NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR BIOMEDICAL

RESEARCH.—Section 499(n) of the Public Health Service Act (42

U.S.C. 290b(n)) is repealed.

(c) CONSULTATION AND REPORTS ON GRANTS FOR TRANSITION

FROM HOMELESSNESS.—Section 528 of the Public Health Service

Act (42 U.S.C. 290cc-28) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘the Comptroller General

of the United States, and’’; and

(2) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘Comptroller General of

the United States in cooperation with the’’ and by striking

the comma after ‘‘Administration’’.
H. R.3864—12

(d) CONSULTATION AND REPORT ON TRAUMA CARE GRANTS.—

Section 1216(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d–

16(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘and the Comptroller General of

the United States’’.

(e) CONSULTATION ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

BLOCK GRANTS.—Section 1942(a) of the Public Health Service Act

(42 U.S.C. 300x–52(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘and the Comptroller

General’’.

(f) STATE REPORTS ON MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

PROGRAMS.—Section 506(a)(1) of the Act of August 14, 1935, ch.

531 (42 U.S.C. 706(a)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘and the

Comptroller General’’.

(g) REVIEW HHS CALCULATION OF REIMBURSEMENT RATE.—

Section 4204(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990

(42 U.S.C. 1395mm note) is amended—

(1) by striking paragraph (4);

(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘Taking into account the

recommendations made pursuant to paragraph (4), on’’ and

inserting ‘‘On’’; and

(3) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (4).

(h) STUDY OF OWNERSHIP OF PROVIDERS OF MEDICARE SERVICES

BY REFERRING PHYSICIANS.—

(1) Section 6204(e) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation

Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 1395nn note) is repealed.

(2) Section 6204(f) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation

Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 1395nn note) is amended by striking

‘‘and the Comptroller General’’.

(i) REPORTS ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICING.—Section 4401(d)

of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 1396r–

8 note) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (2), by—

(A) striking ‘‘By not later than May 1 of each year,

the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’;

(B) striking ‘‘an annual’’ and inserting ‘‘a’’; and

(C) striking ‘‘retail and’’; and

(2) by striking paragraph (6).

(j) STUDY OF DEMONSTRATION TO ATTRACT PENSION FUND

INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.—Section 6 of the HUD

Demonstration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) is amended by—

(1) striking subsection (i); and

(2) redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (i).

(k) AUDIT OF HUD LOW-INCOME HOUSING ACCOUNTS.—Section

10(a)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437h)

is amended by—

(1) striking ‘‘annually’’;

(2) striking, after ‘‘accounts which’’, ‘‘shall’’, and inserting

‘‘may’’;

(3) striking ‘‘in accordance with the principles and

procedures applicable to commercial transactions’’; and

(4) striking ‘‘, and no other audit shall be required’’.

(l) REPORT ON THE FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM.—

Section 23(m) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.

1437u(m)) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1)—

(A) by striking ‘‘shall’’, and inserting ‘‘may’’; and

(B) by striking ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—’’; and

(2) by striking paragraph (2).
H. R.3864—13

(m) METHODOLOGY OF STUDY.—Section 211(B)(f)(2) of Public

Law 101–515, as amended by the Violent Crime Control and Law

Enforcement Act of 1994, is amended by striking ‘‘shall serve’’

and all that follows through ‘‘approve’’ and inserting ‘‘may serve

in an advisory capacity, may oversee the methodology, and may

approve’’.

(n) STUDIES OF INCENTIVE GRANTS FOR LOCAL DELINQUENCY

PREVENTION PROGRAMS.—Section 5(b) of the Act of November 4,

1992 (42 U.S.C. 5781 note, Public Law 102–586), is amended to

read as follows:

‘‘(b) GAO STUDIES AND REPORTS.—Under such conditions as

the Comptroller General of the United States determines appropriate, the General Accounting Office may conduct studies and

report to Congress on the effects of the program established by

subsection (a) in encouraging States and units of general local

government to comply with the requirements of part B of title

II of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974

(42 U.S.C. 5631–5633).’’.

(o) AUDITS OF RECIPIENTS OF LOAN GUARANTEES FOR

ALTERNATIVE FUEL DEMONSTRATION FACILITIES.—Section 19(x)(1)

of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act

of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5919(x)(1)) is amended—

(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘(A)’’; and

(2) by striking subparagraph (B).

(p) REPORT ON USE OF SUBPOENA AUTHORITY TO GET ENERGY

INFORMATION.—Section 502(f) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6382(f)) is repealed.

(q) CONSULTATION WITH THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY

CONCERNING TERMINATION OF LOAN GUARANTEES.—Section 451 of

the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 (42

U.S.C. 6881) is amended, in subsection (d) and in the first sentence

of subsection (e)(1), by striking ‘‘and the Comptroller General’’.

(r) REPORT ON POLLUTION CONTROL STRATEGIES AND

EMPLOYMENT EFFECTS OF CLEAN AIR ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1990.—

Section 812(b) of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (42 U.S.C.

7612 note) is repealed.

(s) REPORT ON ENERGY CONSERVATION BY FEDERAL AGENCIES.—

Section 801(c) of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (42

U.S.C. 8287(c)) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘(1)’’; and

(2) by striking paragraph (2).

(t) EVALUATION OF HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.—Section

105 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.

11304) is amended—

(1) by striking ‘‘shall annually’’ and inserting ‘‘may’’; and

(2) by striking ‘‘, and submit to the Congress an annual

summary of the status of each program authorized under this

Act’’.

(u) CONSULTATION ON ACCOUNTING, AUDIT AND FISCAL

PROCEDURES.—Section 30203(b)(5) of the Violent Crime Control

and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13753(b)(5)) is

amended by striking ‘‘after consultation with the Comptroller General of the United States’’.

(v) STUDY OF SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES.—Section 6026 of

the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (Public Law 101–

239) is repealed.
H. R.3864—14

(w) REPORT ON GEOGRAPHIC COST ADJUSTMENT FOR DURABLE

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.—Section 135(c)(2) of the Social Security Act

Amendments of 1994 (Public Law 103–432) is amended—

(1) by striking the dash and ‘‘(A)’’ and inserting a

comma, and

(2) by striking ‘‘; and’’ and all that follows and inserting

a period.

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

(PUBLIC PRINTING AND DOCUMENTS).

(a) AUDIT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.—Section 309 of

title 44, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

‘‘(d) The Inspector General of the Government Printing Office

shall audit the financial and operational activities of the Government Printing Office each year. The audits shall be conducted

under the direction of the Joint Committee on Printing. For purposes of the audits, the Inspector General shall have such access

to the records, files, personnel, and facilities of the Government

Printing Office as the Inspector General considers appropriate. The

Inspector General shall furnish reports of the audits to the Congress

and the Public Printer.’’; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:

‘‘(e) The Public Printer shall prepare an annual financial

statement meeting the requirements of section 3515(b) of title 31,

United States Code. Each financial statement shall be audited

in accordance with applicable generally accepted Government auditing standards—

‘‘(1) by an independent external auditor selected by the

Public Printer, or

‘‘(2) at the request of the Joint Committee on Printing,

by the Inspector General of the Government Printing Office.

‘‘(f) The Comptroller General of the United States may audit

the financial statement prepared under subsection (e) at his or

her discretion or at the request of the Joint Committee on Printing.

An audit by the Comptroller General shall be in lieu of the audit

otherwise required by that subsection.’’.

(b) PUBLICATION OF DECISIONS OF THE COMPTROLLER

GENERAL.—

(1) Section 1311 of title 44, United States Code, is repealed.

(2) The table of sections for chapter 13 of title 44, United

States Code, is amended by striking out the item relating

to section 1311.

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

(RAILROADS).

Section 1036(f) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation

Efficiency Act of 1991 (45 U.S.C. 831 note) is amended by striking

‘‘and annually thereafter,’’.

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

(SHIPPING).

Section 901(a) of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 (46 U.S.C.

App. 1241(a)) is amended—

(1) by striking ‘‘: Provided, That the Comptroller General

of the United States’’ and inserting ‘‘. The Administrator of

General Services shall prescribe regulations under which

agencies’’; and
H. R.3864—15

(2) by striking ‘‘credit any allowance’’ and inserting ‘‘pay

for or reimburse officers or employees’’.

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

(TELEGRAPHS, TELEPHONES, AND RADIOTELEGRAPHS).

(a) APPROVE STANDARDS ADOPTED BY THE CORPORATION FOR

PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOR VALUING VOLUNTEER SERVICES.— Section 397(9) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 397(9))

is amended, in the last sentence—

(1) by striking ‘‘and approved by the Comptroller General

pursuant to section 396(g)(5)’’; and

(2) by striking ‘‘with respect to such services provided to

public telecommunications entities after such standards are

approved by the Comptroller General and only’’.

(b) REPORT ON PAYMENTS BY ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CARRIERS

FOR INTERCEPTION OF COMMUNICATIONS.— (1) Section 112(b)(1) of the Communications Assistance for

Law Enforcement Act (47 U.S.C. 1010(b)(1)) is amended by

amending the matter preceding subparagraph (A) to read as

follows:

‘‘(1) On or before April 1, 1996, the Comptroller General

of the United States, and every two years thereafter, the

Inspector General of the Department of Justice, shall submit

to the Congress a report, after consultation with the Attorney

General and the telecommunications industry—’’.

(2) Section 112(b)(2) of the Communications Assistance for

Law Enforcement Act (47 U.S.C. 1010(b)(2)) is amended—

(A) after ‘‘include’’, by striking ‘‘the’’; and

(B) by striking ‘‘of the Comptroller General’’.

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

(TRANSPORTATION).

(a) AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS OF DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.— Section 5334(c)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by

striking ‘‘the Comptroller General shall’’ and inserting ‘‘for’’.

(b) REPORT ON MASS TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.—Sections 5335(c)

and 5335(d) of title 49, United States Code, are each amended

by striking ‘‘and in January of every 2d year after 1993’’.

(c) AUDIT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR LOCAL RAIL FREIGHT

SERVICE.—Section 22107(b) of title 49, United States Code, is

amended by striking ‘‘and the Comptroller General’’.

(d) TRANSPORTATION BY FOREIGN AIR CARRIERS.—Section

40118(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking

‘‘Comptroller General shall’’ and inserting ‘‘Administrator of General

Services shall prescribe regulations under which agencies may’’.

(e) AUDIT OF AVIATION INSURANCE OFFERED BY DEPARTMENT

OF TRANSPORTATION.—Section 44308(e) of title 49, United States

Code, is amended by striking ‘‘. The Comptroller General shall

audit those accounts’’ and inserting ‘‘for audit’’.

(f) AUDIT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR AIRPORT AND AIRWAY

DEVELOPMENT.—Section 47121(c) of title 49, United States Code,

is amended—

(1) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’

and inserting ‘‘Secretary’’;

(2) in the second sentence—

(A) by striking ‘‘Not later than April 15 of each year,

the’’, and inserting ‘‘The’’; and

(B) by striking ‘‘shall’’ and inserting ‘‘may’’; and
H. R.3864—16

(3) by striking the third sentence.

(g) STUDY OF ENHANCED PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY FOR

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.—Section 9206 of the Omnibus

Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–508) is repealed.

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

(WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE).

(a) AUDIT OF TERMINATION PAYMENTS ON CONTRACTS FOR

CERTAIN AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS.—Section 1 of the Act of March

30, 1949 (62 Stat. 17; 50 U.S.C. 491), is amended in the third

sentence of the second paragraph—

(1) by striking ‘‘no termination payment shall be final until

audited and approved by’’;

(2) by striking ‘‘which’’ after ‘‘General Accounting

Office’’; and

(3) by inserting ‘‘of audit’’ after ‘‘purpose’’.

(b) DETERMINATIONS OF ENTITLEMENT TO WAR CLAIM

AWARDS.—Section 213(d) of the War Claims Act of 1948 (50 U.S.C.

App. 2017l(d)) is amended by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’ and

inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Treasury’’.

(c) FOREIGN POLICY CONTROLS: CONSULTATION WITH

CONGRESS.—Section 6(f)(3) of the Export Administration Act of

1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(f)(3)) is amended by striking the second

sentence.

SEC. 129. AMENDMENT RELATING TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Section 145 of the District of Columbia Retirement Reform

Act (sec. 1–725, D.C. Code) is amended as follows:

(1) In subsection (b)—

(A) in paragraph (1)—

(i) by striking ‘‘(1)’’,

(ii) by striking ‘‘and the Comptroller General’’, and

(iii) by striking ‘‘each’’ the first and third places

it appears; and

(B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3).

(2) In subsection (c)(1), by striking ‘‘Comptroller General

pursuant to subsection (b)’’ and inserting ‘‘enrolled actuary

pursuant to subsection (a)’’.

(3) In subsection (c)(3)(A)—

(A) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General pursuant to

subsection (b)’’ and inserting ‘‘enrolled actuary pursuant

to subsection (a)’’;

(B) by striking ‘‘and the Comptroller General’’; and

(C) by striking ‘‘of the Comptroller General’’.

(4) In subsection (c)(3)(B), by striking ‘‘the Comptroller

General, the Board,’’ and inserting ‘‘the Board’’.

(5) In subsection (c)(3)(C)(1)—

(A) by striking ‘‘The Comptroller General, on the basis

of such reports from the Board and’’ and inserting ‘‘The

Board, on the basis of such reports from’’;

(B) by striking ‘‘The Comptroller General shall report

the amount of such reduction so caused to the Board and’’

and inserting ‘‘The Board shall report the amount of such

reduction so caused’’; and

(C) by striking ‘‘he receives’’ and inserting ‘‘the Board

receives’’.

(6) In subsection (c)(3)(C)(2), by striking ‘‘by the

Comptroller General’’.
H. R.3864—17

TITLE II—CONFORMING AMENDMENTS

TO ENACT TRANSFERS AND DELEGATIONS OF FUNCTIONS UNDER OTHER

LAWS

SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this title is to amend provisions of law to

reflect, update, and enact transfers and subsequent delegations

of functions made under section 211 of the Legislative Branch

Appropriations Act, 1996 (Public Law 104–53, 109 Stat. 535), as

in effect immediately before this title takes effect.

SEC. 202. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

(a) CLAIMS FOR PROCEEDS FROM SALE OF HOUSEHOLD AND

PERSONAL EFFECTS.—Section 5564(h) of title 5, United States Code,

is amended by striking ‘‘General Accounting Office’’ each place

it appears and inserting ‘‘Administrator of General Services’’.

(b) SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS OF DECEASED EMPLOYEES.— Section 5583 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General of

the United States’’ and inserting ‘‘Director of the Office of

Personnel Management’’; and

(2) in subsection (b) by striking the first sentence and

inserting: ‘‘The Director may by regulation prescribe the method

for settlement of accounts payable under subsection (a) of this

section.’’.

(c) REMISSION OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.—Section 2312 of title

10, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Comptroller

General’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Treasury’’.

(d) DISPOSITION OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.—Section 2575(d) of

title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Comptroller

General of the United States’’ both places it appears and inserting

‘‘Secretary of Defense’’.

(e) PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.—Sections 2733(d) and 2734(d) of title

10, United States Code, are amended by striking ‘‘Comptroller

General’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Treasury’’.

(f) SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS OF DECEASED MEMBERS.—Section

2771(c) of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as

follows:

‘‘(c) Payments under subsection (a) shall be made by the

Secretary of Defense.’’.

(g) DISPOSITION OF EFFECTS OF DECEASED MEMBERS.—Sections

4712 and 9712 of title 10, United States Code, are amended by

striking subsection (g).

(h) SETTLEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL CLAIMS.—Section 7 of the

International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 (22 U.S.C. 1626) is

amended—

(1) in subsection (c)—

(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’

and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Treasury’’; and

(B) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General

of the United States’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the

Treasury’’; and

(2) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘, or the Comptroller

General of the United States, as the case may be,’’.
H. R.3864—18

(i) ESTATES OF DECEDENTS.—Section 1709 of the Revised

Statutes (22 U.S.C. 4195) is amended—

(1) by striking ‘‘General Accounting Office’’ each place it

appears and inserting ‘‘Department of State’’;

(2) in the penultimate paragraph—

(A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘Comptroller

General of the United States, or such member of the

General Accounting Office as he may duly empower to

act as his representative for the purpose,’’ and inserting

‘‘Secretary of State or the Secretary’s representative’’; and

(B) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’ and inserting

‘‘Secretary of State’’; and

(3) in the last paragraph—

(A) by striking ‘‘office’’ and inserting ‘‘department’’; and

(B) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’ and inserting

‘‘Secretary of State’’.

(j) DISPOSITION OF EFFECTS OF DECEASED ARMED FORCES

RETIREMENT HOME RESIDENTS.—Section 1520 of the Armed Forces

Retirement Home Act of 1991 (24 U.S.C. 420) is amended—

(1) in subsection (b)(1)(C)—

(A) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General of the United

States’’ in the second sentence and inserting ‘‘Secretary

of Defense’’; and

(B) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’ in the third

sentence and inserting ‘‘Secretary’’; and

(2) in subsection (d)—

(A) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General of the United

States’’ in paragraph (1) and inserting ‘‘Secretary of

Defense’’; and

(B) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’ in paragraphs

(2) and (3) and inserting ‘‘Secretary’’.

(k) PAYMENT OF JUDGMENTS AND COMPROMISE SETTLEMENTS.—

Section 2414 of title 28, United States Code, is amended in the

first paragraph by striking ‘‘General Accounting Office’’ each place

it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Treasury’’.

(l) PAYMENT OF JUDGMENTS.—Section 2517(a) of title 28, United

States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘General Accounting Office’’

and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Treasury’’.

(m) JUDGMENT FUND CERTIFICATIONS.—Section 1304 of title

31, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Comptroller

General’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the

Treasury’’.

(n) CLAIMS SETTLEMENT.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 3702 of title 31, United States

Code, is amended—

(A) in the heading by striking ‘‘of the Comptroller

General’’;

(B) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

‘‘(a) Except as provided in this chapter or another law, all

claims of or against the United States Government shall be settled

as follows:

‘‘(1) The Secretary of Defense shall settle—

‘‘(A) claims involving uniformed service members’ pay,

allowances, travel, transportation, retired pay, and survivor

benefits; and
H. R.3864—19

‘‘(B) claims by transportation carriers involving

amounts collected from them for loss or damage incurred

to property incident to shipment at Government expense.

‘‘(2) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management

shall settle claims involving Federal civilian employees’ compensation and leave.

‘‘(3) The Administrator of General Services shall settle

claims involving expenses incurred by Federal civilian employees for official travel and transportation, and for relocation

expenses incident to transfers of official duty station.

‘‘(4) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget

shall settle claims not otherwise provided for by this subsection

or another provision of law.’’;

(C) in subsection (b)(1), by amending that portion of

the second sentence preceding subparagraph (A) to read

‘‘The claim must be received by the official responsible

under subsection (a) for settling the claim or by the agency

that conducts the activity from which the claim arises

within 6 years after the claim accrues except—’’;

(D) in subsection (b)(2) by striking ‘‘presented to the

Comptroller General’’ and inserting ‘‘received’’, and by

striking ‘‘clause’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph’’;

(E) by amending subsection (b)(3) to read as follows:

‘‘(3) A claim that is not received in the time required under

this subsection shall be returned with a copy of this subsection,

and no further communication is required.’’; and

(F) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’

the first place it appears and inserting ‘‘official responsible

under subsection (a) for settling the claim’’; and by striking

‘‘Comptroller General’’ every other place it appears and

inserting ‘‘official’’.

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—Chapter 37 of title 31, United

States Code, is amended in the table of sections at the beginning

of the chapter, by amending the item relating to section 3702

to read as follows:

‘‘3702. Authority to settle claims.’’.

(o) TRANSPORTATION CLAIMS.—Section 3726 of title 31, United

States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (f) by striking ‘‘and the Comptroller

General prescribe jointly’’ and inserting ‘‘prescribes’’; and

(2) in subsection (g)(1) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’

and inserting ‘‘Administrator of General Services’’.

(p) SETOFF AGAINST JUDGMENTS.—Section 3728 of title 31,

United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’ the

first place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the Treasury’’;

and

(2) by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’ each place it appears

thereafter and inserting ‘‘Secretary’’.

(q) SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS OF DECEASED MEMBERS.—

Section 714(c) of title 32, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’

and inserting ‘‘Secretary concerned’’; and

(2) by striking the second sentence.

(r) PAYMENT OF CLAIMS RELATING TO NATIONAL GUARD

ACTIVITIES.—Section 715(d) of title 32, United States Code, is
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amended by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary

of the Treasury’’.

(s) CLAIMS FOR NET PROCEEDS FROM SALES OF HOUSEHOLD

AND PERSONAL EFFECTS.—Section 554(h) of title 37, United States

Code, is amended by striking ‘‘General Accounting Office’’ each

place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of Defense’’.

(t) CANCELLATION OF CHECKS MAILED TO DECEASED PAYEES.—

Section 5122 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking

‘‘upon settlement by the General Accounting Office’’.

(u) WAIVER OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.—Section 10(a) of the

Act of September 5, 1950 (64 Stat. 591; 41 U.S.C. 256a), is amended

by striking ‘‘Comptroller General’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary of the

Treasury’’.

SEC. 203. REPEAL.

Section 211 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996

(Public Law 104–53; 109 Stat. 535) is amended to read as follows:

‘‘SEC. 211. Personnel transferred pursuant to this section, as

in effect immediately before the effective date of section 303 of

the General Accounting Office Act of 1996, shall not be separated

or reduced in classification or compensation for one year after

any such transfer, except for cause.’’.

SEC. 204. AUTHORITY TO RENDER DECISIONS.

Section 3529(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking ‘‘The Comptroller General shall’’ and inserting ‘‘(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Comptroller

General shall’’; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

‘‘(2) A decision requested under this section concerning a

function transferred to or vested in the Director of the Office of

Management and Budget under section 211(a) of the Legislative

Branch Appropriations Act, 1996 (109 Stat. 535), as in effect immediately before the effective date of title II of the General Accounting

Office Act of 1996, or under this Act, shall be issued—
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‘‘(A) by the Director of the Office of Management and

Budget, except as provided in subparagraph (B); or

‘‘(B) in the case of a function delegated by the Director

to another agency, by the head of the agency to which the

function was delegated.’’.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.