GONE Act

Bill: 114-s-1115
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2015-04-28
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Executive agency funding and structure

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations
Latest action: action_date: 2016-01-28
text: Became Public Law No: 114-117.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-04-28
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act or the GONE Act</strong></p> <p>Directs the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency to submit to Congress and the head of each federal agency a report that: (1) lists each covered grant account held by the federal government, (2) recommends which of such grants should be immediately closed, and (3) explains why any covered grant account that has been expired for more than 90 days has not been closed out. Requires each federal agency head that manages a covered grant account recommended for closure in such report&nbsp;to close such account not later than 180 days after&nbsp;the report is submitted. <br /></p> <p>Defines "covered grant account" as a grant account in a federal agency payment management system that has a zero balance for more than 180 days and for which the grant award period has expired.&nbsp;</p>

action_date: 2015-11-30
action_desc: Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
text: <p><strong>Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act or the GONE Act</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to instruct each agency, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to submit to Congress and HHS by December 31 of the first calendar year beginning after this Act's enactment a report that:</p> <ul> <li>lists each covered grant held by the federal government;</li> <li>recommends which of such grants should be closed; and</li> <li>explains why any such grant has not been closed out.</li> </ul> <p>If an agency is unable to submit all of such information, the report shall include an explanation of why the information was not available, including any shortcomings with existing grant data systems. </p> <p>Each agency: (1) within one year after submitting such report, shall provide notice to HHS specifying whether it has closed out grant awards associated with all covered grants; and (2) within 90 days after providing such notice to HHS, shall provide the same notice to Congress.</p> <p>The term &quot;covered grant&quot; is defined as a grant in a federal agency cash payment management system held by the federal government for which: (1) the grant award period of performance has been expired for at least two years, and (2) close out has not yet occurred.</p>

action_date: 2015-12-18
action_desc: Passed Senate amended
text: <p><strong>Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act or the GONE Act</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to instruct each agency, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to submit to Congress and HHS by December 31 of the first calendar year beginning after this Act's enactment a report that:</p> <ul> <li>lists each federal grant award held by such agency;</li> <li>provides the total number of federal grant awards, including the number of grants by time period of expiration, the number with zero dollar balances, and the number with undisbursed balances;</li> <li>describes the challenges leading to delays in grant closeout; and</li> <li>explains, for the 30 oldest federal grant awards, why each has not been closed out.</li> </ul> <p> If an agency head is unable to submit all of such information, the report shall include an explanation of why the information was not available, including any shortcomings with plans to improve existing grant systems, including data systems. </p> <p>Each agency, within one year after submitting such report, shall provide notice to HHS specifying: (1) whether it has closed out all of the federal grant awards in the report, and (2) which awards have not been closed out. HHS, within 90 days after all of such notices have been provided or by March 31 of the calendar year following the first calendar year beginning after this Act's enactment, whichever is sooner, shall compile, and report to Congress on, such notices. </p> <p>The Inspector General of an agency with more than $500 million in annual grant funding, within one year after such agency has provided such notice, shall conduct a risk assessment to determine if an audit or review of the agency's grant closeout process is warranted.</p> <p>The OMB, within six months after the second such report on notices is submitted, shall report to Congress on recommendations for legislation to improve accountability and oversight in grants management, including the timely closeout of a federal grant award.</p> <p>The bill defines "federal grant award" as a grant, including a cooperative agreement, in an agency cash payment management system held by the U.S. government for which: (1) the grant award period of performance has been expired for more than two years; and (2) closeout has not yet occurred.</p>

action_date: 2016-01-11
action_desc: Passed House without amendment
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 18, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p><strong>Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act or the GONE Act</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to instruct each agency, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to submit to Congress and HHS by December 31 of the first calendar year beginning after this Act's enactment a report that:</p> <ul> <li>lists each federal grant award held by such agency;</li> <li>provides the total number of federal grant awards, including the number of grants by time period of expiration, the number with zero dollar balances, and the number with undisbursed balances;</li> <li>describes the challenges leading to delays in grant closeout; and</li> <li>explains, for the 30 oldest federal grant awards, why each has not been closed out.</li> </ul> <p> If an agency head is unable to submit all of such information, the report shall include an explanation of why the information was not available, including any shortcomings with and plans to improve existing grant systems, including data systems. </p> <p>Each agency, within one year after submitting such report, shall provide notice to HHS specifying: (1) whether it has closed out all of the federal grant awards in the report, and (2) which awards have not been closed out. HHS, within 90 days after all of such notices have been provided or by March 31 of the calendar year following the first calendar year beginning after this Act's enactment, whichever is sooner, shall compile, and report to Congress on, such notices. </p> <p>The Inspector General of an agency with more than $500 million in annual grant funding, within one year after such agency has provided the notice to Congress, shall conduct a risk assessment to determine if an audit or review of the agency's grant closeout process is warranted.</p> <p>The OMB, within six months after the second such report on notices is submitted, shall report to Congress on recommendations for legislation to improve accountability and oversight in grants management, including the timely closeout of a federal grant award.</p> <p>The bill defines "federal grant award" as a grant, including a cooperative agreement, in an agency cash payment management system held by the U.S. government for which: (1) the grant award period of performance has been expired for more than two years, and (2) closeout has not yet occurred.</p>

action_date: 2016-01-28
action_desc: Public Law
text: &nbsp; <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 18, 2015.&nbsp;The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p><strong>Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act or the GONE Act</strong></p> <p>(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to instruct each agency, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to submit to Congress and HHS by December 31 of the first calendar year beginning after this Act's enactment a report that:</p> <ul> <li>lists each federal grant award held by such agency;</li> <li>provides the total number of federal grant awards, including the number of grants by time period of expiration, the number with zero dollar balances, and the number with undisbursed balances;</li> <li>describes the challenges leading to delays in grant closeout; and</li> <li>explains, for the 30 oldest federal grant awards, why each has not been closed out.</li> </ul> <p> If an agency head is unable to submit all of such information, the report shall include an explanation of why the information was not available, including any shortcomings with and plans to improve existing grant systems, including data systems. </p> <p>Each agency, within one year after submitting such report, shall provide notice to HHS specifying: (1) whether it has closed out all of the federal grant awards in the report, and (2) which awards have not been closed out. HHS, within 90 days after all of such notices have been provided or by March 31 of the calendar year following the first calendar year beginning after this Act's enactment, whichever is sooner, shall compile, and report to Congress on, such notices. </p> <p>The Inspector General of an agency with more than $500 million in annual grant funding, within one year after such agency has provided the notice to Congress, shall conduct a risk assessment to determine if an audit or review of the agency's grant closeout process is warranted.</p> <p>The OMB, within six months after the second such report on notices is submitted, shall report to Congress on recommendations for legislation to improve accountability and oversight in grants management, including the timely closeout of a federal grant award.</p> <p>The bill defines "federal grant award" as a grant, including a cooperative agreement, in an agency cash payment management system held by the U.S. government for which: (1) the grant award period of performance has been expired for more than two years, and (2) closeout has not yet occurred.</p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1115 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 28, 2015 Mrs. Fischer (for herself and Mr. Manchin ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To close out expired, empty grant accounts.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act or the GONE Act . 2. Identifying and closing out expired, empty grant accounts (a) Inspectors General report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall submit to Congress and the head of each agency a report that— (A) lists each covered grant account held by the United States Government; (B) recommends which of the covered grant accounts described in subparagraph (A) should be immediately closed; and (C) for each covered grant account that has been expired for more than 90 days, explains why the covered grant account has not been closed out. (2) Consideration In determining which grant accounts held by the United States Government are covered grant accounts, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall compare the information made available in the cash payment management system and the grants program management database to ensure that grant accounts for grant awards that are not expired are not listed under paragraph (1)(A). (b) Closure of accounts required; notice (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the report is submitted under subsection (a), the head of each agency with a covered grant account recommended for closure in the report described in subsection (a) shall close out each expired grant award associated with each covered grant account that is managed by the agency. (2) Notice from agencies Not later than 90 days after the date on which the 180-day period described in paragraph (1) ends, the head of each agency required to close a covered grant account under paragraph (1) shall provide notice the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency specifying whether the head of the agency has closed out grant awards associated with all of the covered grant accounts required to be closed under paragraph (1). (3) Notice to Congress Not later than 90 days after the date on which the 90-day period described in paragraph (2) ends, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall submit to Congress and the committees of jurisdiction a report on the status of all the covered grant accounts required to be closed under paragraph (1). (c) Definitions In this section— (1) the term agency has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code; and (2) the term covered grant account means a grant account in a Federal agency payment management system held by the United States Government that has a zero balance for more than 180 days and for which the grant award period has expired.

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 303 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1115 [Report No. 114–169] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 28, 2015 Mrs. Fischer (for herself, Mr. Manchin , and Mr. Johnson ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs November 30, 2015 Reported by Mr. Johnson , with an amendment and an amendment to the title Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic A BILL To close out expired, empty grant accounts.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act or the GONE Act . 2. Identifying and closing out expired, empty grant accounts (a) Inspectors General report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall submit to Congress and the head of each agency a report that— (A) lists each covered grant account held by the United States Government; (B) recommends which of the covered grant accounts described in subparagraph (A) should be immediately closed; and (C) for each covered grant account that has been expired for more than 90 days, explains why the covered grant account has not been closed out. (2) Consideration In determining which grant accounts held by the United States Government are covered grant accounts, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall compare the information made available in the cash payment management system and the grants program management database to ensure that grant accounts for grant awards that are not expired are not listed under paragraph (1)(A). (b) Closure of accounts required; notice (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the report is submitted under subsection (a), the head of each agency with a covered grant account recommended for closure in the report described in subsection (a) shall close out each expired grant award associated with each covered grant account that is managed by the agency. (2) Notice from agencies Not later than 90 days after the date on which the 180-day period described in paragraph (1) ends, the head of each agency required to close a covered grant account under paragraph (1) shall provide notice the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency specifying whether the head of the agency has closed out grant awards associated with all of the covered grant accounts required to be closed under paragraph (1). (3) Notice to Congress Not later than 90 days after the date on which the 90-day period described in paragraph (2) ends, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall submit to Congress and the committees of jurisdiction a report on the status of all the covered grant accounts required to be closed under paragraph (1). (c) Definitions In this section— (1) the term agency has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code; and (2) the term covered grant account means a grant account in a Federal agency payment management system held by the United States Government that has a zero balance for more than 180 days and for which the grant award period has expired.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act or the GONE Act . 2. Identifying and closing out expired grants (a) Expired grant report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall instruct the head of each agency, in coordination with the Secretary, to submit to Congress and the Secretary a report, not later than December 31 of the first calendar year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, that— (A) lists each covered grant held by the United States Government; (B) recommends which of the covered grants described in subparagraph (A) should be closed; and (C) for each covered grant, explains why the covered grant has not been closed out. (2) Use of data systems An agency may use existing multiagency data systems in order to submit the report required under paragraph (1). (3) Explanation of missing information If an agency is unable to submit all of the information required to be included in the report under paragraph (1), the report shall include an explanation of why the information was not available, including any shortcomings with existing grant data systems. (b) Notice from agencies (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date on which the head of an agency submits the report required under subsection (a), the head of the agency shall provide notice to the Secretary specifying whether the head of the agency has closed out grant awards associated with all of the covered grants. (2) Notice to Congress Not later than 90 days after the date on which the head of an agency provides notice to the Secretary under paragraph (1), the head of the agency shall provide the same notice to Congress. (c) Definitions In this section— (1) the term agency has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code; (2) the term close out means a close out of a grant account conducted in accordance with section 200 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, including section 200.343 of such title, or any successor thereto; (3) the term covered grant means a grant in a Federal agency cash payment management system held by the United States Government for which— (A) the grant award period of performance, including any extensions, has been expired for not less than 2 years; and (B) close out has not yet occurred in accordance with section 200.343 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto; and (4) the term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Amend the title so as to read: A bill to close out expired grants. .

November 30, 2015 Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the title

tv_txt: 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1115 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To close out expired grants.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act or the GONE Act . 2. Identifying and closing out expired Federal grant awards (a) Expired Federal grant award report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall instruct the head of each agency, in coordination with the Secretary, to submit to Congress and the Secretary a report, not later than December 31 of the first calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, that— (A) lists each Federal grant award held by such agency; (B) provides the total number of Federal grant awards, including the number of grants— (i) by time period of expiration; (ii) with zero dollar balances; and (iii) with undisbursed balances; (C) for an agency with Federal grant awards, describes the challenges leading to delays in grant closeout; and (D) for the 30 oldest Federal grant awards of an agency, explains why each Federal grant award has not been closed out. (2) Use of data systems An agency may use existing multiagency data systems in order to submit the report required under paragraph (1). (3) Explanation of missing information If the head of an agency is unable to submit all of the information required to be included in the report under paragraph (1), the report shall include an explanation of why the information was not available, including any shortcomings with and plans to improve existing grant systems, including data systems. (b) Notice from agencies (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date on which the head of an agency submits the report required under subsection (a), the head of such agency shall provide notice to the Secretary specifying whether the head of the agency has closed out grant awards associated with all of the Federal grant awards in the report and which Federal grant awards in the report have not been closed out. (2) Notice to Congress Not later than 90 days after the date on which all of the notices required pursuant to paragraph (1) have been provided or March 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year described in subsection (a)(1), whichever is sooner, the Secretary shall compile the notices submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) and submit to Congress a report on such notices. (c) Inspector General Review Not later than 1 year after the date on which the head of an agency provides notice to Congress under subsection (b)(2), the Inspector General of an agency with more than $500,000,000 in annual grant funding shall conduct a risk assessment to determine if an audit or review of the agency’s grant closeout process is warranted. (d) Report on accountability and oversight Not later than 6 months after the date on which the second report is submitted pursuant to subsection (b)(2), the Director of Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the Secretary, shall submit to Congress a report on recommendations, if any, for legislation to improve accountability and oversight in grants management, including the timely closeout of a Federal grant award. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Agency The term agency has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Closeout The term closeout means a closeout of a Federal grant award conducted in accordance with part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, including sections 200.16 and 200.343 of such title, or any successor thereto. (3) Federal grant award The term Federal grant award means a Federal grant award (as defined in section 200.38(a)(1) of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto), including a cooperative agreement, in an agency cash payment management system held by the United States Government for which— (A) the grant award period of performance, including any extensions, has been expired for more than 2 years; and (B) closeout has not yet occurred in accordance with section 200.343 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto. (4) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Passed the Senate December 18, 2015. Secretary

tv_txt: One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America 2d Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the fourth day of January, two thousand and sixteen S. 1115 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To close out expired grants.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act or the GONE Act . 2. Identifying and closing out expired Federal grant awards (a) Expired Federal grant award report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall instruct the head of each agency, in coordination with the Secretary, to submit to Congress and the Secretary a report, not later than December 31 of the first calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, that— (A) lists each Federal grant award held by such agency; (B) provides the total number of Federal grant awards, including the number of grants— (i) by time period of expiration; (ii) with zero dollar balances; and (iii) with undisbursed balances; (C) for an agency with Federal grant awards, describes the challenges leading to delays in grant closeout; and (D) for the 30 oldest Federal grant awards of an agency, explains why each Federal grant award has not been closed out. (2) Use of data systems An agency may use existing multiagency data systems in order to submit the report required under paragraph (1). (3) Explanation of missing information If the head of an agency is unable to submit all of the information required to be included in the report under paragraph (1), the report shall include an explanation of why the information was not available, including any shortcomings with and plans to improve existing grant systems, including data systems. (b) Notice from agencies (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date on which the head of an agency submits the report required under subsection (a), the head of such agency shall provide notice to the Secretary specifying whether the head of the agency has closed out grant awards associated with all of the Federal grant awards in the report and which Federal grant awards in the report have not been closed out. (2) Notice to Congress Not later than 90 days after the date on which all of the notices required pursuant to paragraph (1) have been provided or March 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year described in subsection (a)(1), whichever is sooner, the Secretary shall compile the notices submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) and submit to Congress a report on such notices. (c) Inspector General Review Not later than 1 year after the date on which the head of an agency provides notice to Congress under subsection (b)(2), the Inspector General of an agency with more than $500,000,000 in annual grant funding shall conduct a risk assessment to determine if an audit or review of the agency’s grant closeout process is warranted. (d) Report on accountability and oversight Not later than 6 months after the date on which the second report is submitted pursuant to subsection (b)(2), the Director of Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the Secretary, shall submit to Congress a report on recommendations, if any, for legislation to improve accountability and oversight in grants management, including the timely closeout of a Federal grant award. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Agency The term agency has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Closeout The term closeout means a closeout of a Federal grant award conducted in accordance with part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, including sections 200.16 and 200.343 of such title, or any successor thereto. (3) Federal grant award The term Federal grant award means a Federal grant award (as defined in section 200.38(a)(1) of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto), including a cooperative agreement, in an agency cash payment management system held by the United States Government for which— (A) the grant award period of performance, including any extensions, has been expired for more than 2 years; and (B) closeout has not yet occurred in accordance with section 200.343 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto. (4) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate