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, 
REPORT-
ING, 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 trans-
ferred to the other Federal officer, employee, or agency.
(2) FUNCTIONS TERMINATED.—In any case in which a provi-
sion 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Accounting Office is repealed by this Act, the authority under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 recipi-
ent 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 Comptrol-
ler 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 func-
tion 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 POSI-
TIONS.—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 REP-
RESENTATIVES.—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 Emer-
gency 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 DEMONSTRA-
TION 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)—
H. R.3864—5
(A) by striking ‘‘paragraph (1)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (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), redesignat-
ing subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B), and in that
subparagraph (as so redesignated), striking ‘‘Comptroller
General’’ and inserting ‘‘Director of the Office of Manage-
ment 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 para-
graph (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 insert-
ing ‘‘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 Institu-
tions 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 Devel-
opment 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.’’.
H. R.3864—7
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 Presi-
dential 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 pre-
pare’’; 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 excep-
tion 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
H. R.3864—10
(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), redesignat-
ing 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 Administra-
tive 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 DETERMINA-
TIONS.—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 appro-
priate, 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 Conserva-
tion 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 Gen-
eral 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 Govern-
ment Printing Office each year. The audits shall be conducted
under the direction of the Joint Committee on Printing. For pur-
poses 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 audit-
ing 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 DELEGA-
TIONS 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’ com-
pensation and leave.
‘‘(3) The Administrator of General Services shall settle
claims involving expenses incurred by Federal civilian employ-
ees 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
H. R.3864—20
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 insert-
ing ‘‘(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 imme-
diately before the effective date of title II of the General Accounting
Office Act of 1996, or under this Act, shall be issued—