Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016
PL 114-317 (H.R.6450), enacted 12/16/2016

130 STAT. 1595 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
Public Law 114–317 
114th Congress 
An Act 
To amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 to strengthen the independence of 
the Inspectors General, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Inspector 
General Empowerment Act of 2016’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Additional authority provisions for Inspectors General. 
Sec. 3. Additional responsibilities of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integ-
rity and Efficiency. 
Sec. 4. Reports and additional information. 
Sec. 5. Full and prompt access to all documents. 
Sec. 6. Access to information for certain Inspectors General. 
Sec. 7. Technical and conforming amendments. 
Sec. 8. No additional funds authorized. 
SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY PROVISIONS FOR INSPECTORS GEN-
ERAL. 
Section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), 
as amended by section 5 of this Act, is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(j)(1) In this subsection, the terms ‘agency’, ‘matching program’, 
‘record’, and ‘system of records’ have the meanings given those 
terms in section 552a(a) of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of section 552a of title 5, United States 
Code, or any other provision of law, a computerized comparison 
of two or more automated Federal systems of records, or a computer-
ized comparison of a Federal system of records with other records 
or non-Federal records, performed by an Inspector General or by 
an agency in coordination with an Inspector General in conducting 
an audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or other review 
authorized under this Act shall not be considered a matching pro-
gram. 
‘‘(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to impede 
the exercise by an Inspector General of any matching program 
authority established under any other provision of law. 
‘‘(k) Subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, 
shall not apply to the collection of information during the conduct 
of an audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or other review 
conducted by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity 
and Efficiency or any Office of Inspector General, including any 
Office of Special Inspector General.’’. 
Records. 
Definitions. 
5 USC app. 6. 
Inspector 
General 
Empowerment 
Act of 2016. 
5 USC app. 1 
note. 
Dec. 16, 2016 
[H.R. 6450] 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00563
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 1596 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE 
INSPECTORS GENERAL ON INTEGRITY AND EFFICIENCY. 
Section 11 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
App.) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(3)(B), by amending clause (viii) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(viii) prepare and transmit an annual report on 
behalf of the Council on the activities of the Council 
to— 
‘‘(I) the President; 
‘‘(II) the appropriate committees of jurisdiction 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives; 
‘‘(III) the Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and 
‘‘(IV) the Committee on Oversight and Govern-
ment Reform of the House of Representatives.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (G), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (H) as subpara-
graph (I); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following: 
‘‘(H) except for matters coordinated among Inspectors 
General under section 3033 of title 50, United States Code, 
receive, review, and mediate any disputes submitted in 
writing to the Council by an Office of Inspector General 
regarding an audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, 
or project that involves the jurisdiction of more than one 
Office of Inspector General; and’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking subparagraph (C); 
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and 
(D) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively, and 
adjusting the margins accordingly; 
(iii) in the matter preceding clause (i), as so 
redesignated, by striking ‘‘The Integrity’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Integrity’’; 
(iv) in clause (i), as so redesignated, by striking 
‘‘, who’’ and all that follows through ‘‘the Committee’’; 
(v) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by inserting 
‘‘or the designee of the Director’’ before the period 
at the end; and 
(vi) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) CHAIRPERSON.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Integrity Committee shall 
elect one of the Inspectors General referred to in 
subparagraph (A)(ii) to act as Chairperson of the Integ-
rity Committee. 
‘‘(ii) TERM.—The term of office of the Chairperson 
of the Integrity Committee shall be 2 years.’’; 
(B) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows: 
‘‘(5) REVIEW OF ALLEGATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 7 days after the 
date on which the Integrity Committee receives an allega-
tion of wrongdoing against an Inspector General or against 
a staff member of an Office of Inspector General described 
Deadline. 
Reports. 
5 USC app. 11. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00564
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 1597 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
under paragraph (4)(C), the allegation of wrongdoing shall 
be reviewed and referred to the Department of Justice 
or the Office of Special Counsel for investigation, or to 
the Integrity Committee for review, as appropriate, by— 
‘‘(i) a representative of the Department of Justice, 
as designated by the Attorney General; 
‘‘(ii) a representative of the Office of Special 
Counsel, as designated by the Special Counsel; and 
‘‘(iii) a representative of the Integrity Committee, 
as designated by the Chairperson of the Integrity Com-
mittee. 
‘‘(B) REFERRAL TO THE CHAIRPERSON.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), not later than 30 days after the date on which 
an allegation of wrongdoing is referred to the Integrity 
Committee under subparagraph (A), the Integrity Com-
mittee shall determine whether to refer the allegation 
of wrongdoing to the Chairperson of the Integrity Com-
mittee to initiate an investigation. 
‘‘(ii) EXTENSION.—The 30-day period described in 
clause (i) may be extended for an additional period 
of 30 days if the Integrity Committee provides written 
notice to the congressional committees described in 
paragraph (8)(A)(iii) that includes a detailed, case-spe-
cific description of why the additional time is needed 
to evaluate the allegation of wrongdoing.’’; 
(C) in paragraph (6)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘paragraph 
(5)(C)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (5)(B)’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ‘‘may pro-
vide resources’’ and inserting ‘‘shall provide assist-
ance’’; 
(D) in paragraph (7)— 
(i) in subparagraph (B)— 
(I) in clause (i)— 
(aa) in subclause (III), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(bb) in subclause (IV), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
and 
(cc) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(V) except as provided in clause (ii), ensuring, 
to the extent possible, that investigations are con-
ducted by Offices of Inspector General of similar 
size; 
‘‘(VI) creating a process for rotation of Inspec-
tors General assigned to investigate allegations 
through the Integrity Committee; and 
‘‘(VII) creating procedures to avoid conflicts 
of interest for Integrity Committee investigations.’’; 
(II) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); 
and 
(III) by inserting after clause (i) the following: 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—The requirement under clause 
(i)(V) shall not apply to any Office of Inspector General 
with less than 50 employees who are authorized to 
conduct audits or investigations.’’; 
Deadline. 
Notification. 
Deadline. 
Determination. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00565
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 1598 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
(ii) by striking subparagraph (C); and 
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(C) COMPLETION OF INVESTIGATION.—If an allegation 
of wrongdoing is referred to the Chairperson of the Integ-
rity Committee under paragraph (5)(B), the Chairperson 
of the Integrity Committee— 
‘‘(i) shall complete the investigation not later than 
150 days after the date on which the Integrity Com-
mittee made the referral; and 
‘‘(ii) if the investigation cannot be completed within 
the 150-day period described in clause (i), shall— 
‘‘(I) promptly notify the congressional commit-
tees described in paragraph (8)(A)(iii); and 
‘‘(II) 
brief 
the 
congressional 
committees 
described in paragraph (8)(A)(iii) every 30 days 
regarding the status of the investigation and the 
general reasons for delay until the investigation 
is complete. 
‘‘(D) CONCURRENT INVESTIGATION.—If an allegation of 
wrongdoing against an Inspector General or a staff member 
of an Office of Inspector General described under paragraph 
(4)(C) is referred to the Department of Justice or the Office 
of Special Counsel under paragraph (5)(A), the Chairperson 
of the Integrity Committee may conduct any related inves-
tigation referred to the Chairperson under paragraph (5)(B) 
concurrently with the Department of Justice or the Office 
of Special Counsel, as applicable. 
‘‘(E) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(i) INTEGRITY
COMMITTEE
INVESTIGATIONS.—For 
each investigation of an allegation of wrongdoing 
referred to the Chairperson of the Integrity Committee 
under paragraph (5)(B), the Chairperson of the Integ-
rity Committee shall submit to members of the Integ-
rity Committee and to the Chairperson of the Council 
a report containing the results of the investigation. 
‘‘(ii) OTHER INVESTIGATIONS.—For each allegation 
of wrongdoing referred to the Department of Justice 
or the Office of Special Counsel under paragraph (5)(A), 
the Attorney General or the Special Counsel, as 
applicable, shall submit to the Integrity Committee 
a report containing the results of the investigation. 
‘‘(iii) AVAILABILITY TO CONGRESS.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—The congressional commit-
tees described in paragraph (8)(A)(iii) shall have 
access to any report authored by the Integrity 
Committee. 
‘‘(II) MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.—Subject to any 
other provision of law that would otherwise pro-
hibit disclosure of such information, the Integrity 
Committee may provide any report authored by 
the Integrity Committee to any Member of Con-
gress.’’; 
(E) by striking paragraph (8)(A)(iii) and inserting the 
following: 
Briefing. 
Notification. 
Deadlines. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00566
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 1599 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘(iii) submit the report, with the recommendations 
of the Integrity Committee, to the Committee on Home-
land Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, 
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 
of the House of Representatives, and other congres-
sional committees of jurisdiction; and 
‘‘(iv) following the submission of the report under 
clause (iii) and upon request by any Member of Con-
gress, submit the report, with the recommendations 
of the Integrity Committee, to that Member.’’; 
(F) in paragraph (9)(B), by striking ‘‘other agencies’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the Department of Justice or the Office 
of Special Counsel’’; 
(G) in paragraph (10), by striking ‘‘any of the following’’ 
and all that follows through the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘any Member of Congress.’’; and 
(H) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(12) ALLEGATIONS
OF
WRONGDOING
AGAINST
SPECIAL 
COUNSEL OR DEPUTY SPECIAL COUNSEL.— 
‘‘(A) SPECIAL COUNSEL DEFINED.—In this paragraph, 
the term ‘Special Counsel’ means the Special Counsel 
appointed under section 1211(b) of title 5, United States 
Code. 
‘‘(B) AUTHORITY OF INTEGRITY COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—An allegation of wrongdoing 
against the Special Counsel or the Deputy Special 
Counsel may be received, reviewed, and referred for 
investigation to the same extent and in the same 
manner as in the case of an allegation against an 
Inspector General or against a staff member of an 
Office of Inspector General described under paragraph 
(4)(C), subject to the requirement that the representa-
tive designated by the Special Counsel under para-
graph (5)(A)(ii) shall recuse himself or herself from 
the consideration of any allegation brought under this 
paragraph. 
‘‘(ii) COORDINATION WITH EXISTING PROVISIONS OF 
LAW.—This paragraph shall not eliminate access to 
the Merit Systems Protection Board for review under 
section 7701 of title 5, United States Code. To the 
extent that an allegation brought under this paragraph 
involves section 2302(b)(8) of such title, a failure to 
obtain corrective action within 120 days after the date 
on which the allegation is received by the Integrity 
Committee shall, for purposes of section 1221 of such 
title, be considered to satisfy section 1214(a)(3)(B) of 
such title. 
‘‘(C) REGULATIONS.—The Integrity Committee may pre-
scribe any rules or regulations necessary to carry out this 
paragraph, subject to such consultation or other require-
ments as may otherwise apply. 
‘‘(13) COMMITTEE
RECORDS.—The Chairperson of the 
Council shall maintain the records of the Integrity Committee.’’. 
SEC. 4. REPORTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. 
(a) REPORT ON VACANCIES IN THE OFFICES OF INSPECTOR GEN-
ERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall— 
Deadline. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00567
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 1600 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
(1) conduct a study of prolonged vacancies in the Offices 
of Inspector General during which a temporary appointee has 
served as the head of the office that includes— 
(A) the number and duration of Inspector General 
vacancies; 
(B) an examination of the extent to which the number 
and duration of such vacancies has changed over time; 
(C) an evaluation of the impact such vacancies have 
had on the ability of the relevant Office of Inspector Gen-
eral to effectively carry out statutory requirements; and 
(D) recommendations to minimize the duration of such 
vacancies; 
(2) not later than 9 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, present a briefing on the findings of the study 
conducted under paragraph (1) to— 
(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Govern-
mental Affairs of the Senate; and 
(B) the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform of the House of Representatives; and 
(3) not later than 15 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, submit a report on the findings of the study con-
ducted under paragraph (1) to the committees described in 
paragraph (2). 
(b) REPORT
ON
ISSUES
INVOLVING
MULTIPLE
OFFICES
OF 
INSPECTOR GENERAL.—The Council of the Inspectors General on 
Integrity and Efficiency shall— 
(1) conduct an analysis of critical issues that involve the 
jurisdiction of more than one individual Federal agency or 
entity to identify— 
(A) each such issue that could be better addressed 
through greater coordination among, and cooperation 
between, individual Offices of Inspector General; 
(B) the best practices that can be employed by the 
Offices of Inspector General to increase coordination and 
cooperation on each issue identified; and 
(C) any recommended statutory changes that would 
facilitate coordination and cooperation among the Offices 
of Inspector General on critical issues; and 
(2) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, submit a report on the findings of the analysis 
described in paragraph (1) to— 
(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Govern-
mental Affairs of the Senate; and 
(B) the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform of the House of Representatives. 
(c) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.—Section 5 of the Inspector Gen-
eral Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (10)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘period for which’’ and inserting 
‘‘period— 
‘‘(A) for which’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) for which no establishment comment was returned 
within 60 days of providing the report to the establishment; 
and 
5 USC app. 5. 
Analysis. 
Deadline. 
Briefing. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Evaluation. 
Examination. 
Study. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00568
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 1601 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘(C) 
for 
which 
there 
are 
any 
outstanding 
unimplemented recommendations, including the aggregate 
potential cost savings of those recommendations.’’; 
(B) in paragraph (15), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(C) in paragraph (16), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(17) statistical tables showing— 
‘‘(A) the total number of investigative reports issued 
during the reporting period; 
‘‘(B) the total number of persons referred to the Depart-
ment of Justice for criminal prosecution during the 
reporting period; 
‘‘(C) the total number of persons referred to State 
and local prosecuting authorities for criminal prosecution 
during the reporting period; and 
‘‘(D) the total number of indictments and criminal 
informations during the reporting period that resulted from 
any prior referral to prosecuting authorities; 
‘‘(18) a description of the metrics used for developing the 
data for the statistical tables under paragraph (17); 
‘‘(19) a report on each investigation conducted by the Office 
involving a senior Government employee where allegations of 
misconduct were substantiated, including a detailed description 
of— 
‘‘(A) the facts and circumstances of the investigation; 
and 
‘‘(B) the status and disposition of the matter, 
including— 
‘‘(i) if the matter was referred to the Department 
of Justice, the date of the referral; and 
‘‘(ii) if the Department of Justice declined the 
referral, the date of the declination; 
‘‘(20) a detailed description of any instance of whistleblower 
retaliation, including information about the official found to 
have engaged in retaliation and what, if any, consequences 
the establishment imposed to hold that official accountable; 
‘‘(21) a detailed description of any attempt by the establish-
ment to interfere with the independence of the Office, 
including— 
‘‘(A) with budget constraints designed to limit the 
capabilities of the Office; and 
‘‘(B) incidents where the establishment has resisted 
or objected to oversight activities of the Office or restricted 
or significantly delayed access to information, including 
the justification of the establishment for such action; and 
‘‘(22) detailed descriptions of the particular circumstances 
of each— 
‘‘(A) inspection, evaluation, and audit conducted by 
the Office that is closed and was not disclosed to the 
public; and 
‘‘(B) investigation conducted by the Office involving 
a senior Government employee that is closed and was not 
disclosed to the public.’’; 
(2) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) Subject to any other provision of law that would otherwise 
prohibit disclosure of such information, the information described 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00569
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 1602 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
in paragraph (1) may be provided to any Member of Congress 
upon request. 
‘‘(5) An Office may not provide to Congress or the public any 
information that reveals the personally identifiable information of 
a whistleblower under this section unless the Office first obtains 
the consent of the whistleblower.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (f)— 
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) the term ‘senior Government employee’ means— 
‘‘(A) an officer or employee in the executive branch 
(including a special Government employee as defined in 
section 202 of title 18, United States Code) who occupies 
a position classified at or above GS–15 of the General 
Schedule or, in the case of positions not under the General 
Schedule, for which the rate of basic pay is equal to or 
greater than 120 percent of the minimum rate of basic 
pay payable for GS–15 of the General Schedule; and 
‘‘(B) any commissioned officer in the Armed Forces 
in pay grades O–6 and above.’’. 
(d) DUTY TO SUBMIT AND MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC 
CERTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS.—Section 4 of the Inspector General 
Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(e)(1) In carrying out the duties and responsibilities established 
under this Act, whenever an Inspector General issues a rec-
ommendation for corrective action to the agency, the Inspector 
General— 
‘‘(A) shall submit the document making a recommendation 
for corrective action to— 
‘‘(i) the head of the establishment; 
‘‘(ii) the congressional committees of jurisdiction; and 
‘‘(iii) if the recommendation for corrective action was 
initiated upon request by an individual or entity other 
than the Inspector General, that individual or entity; 
‘‘(B) may submit the document making a recommendation 
for corrective action to any Member of Congress upon request; 
and 
‘‘(C) not later than 3 days after the recommendation for 
corrective action is submitted in final form to the head of 
the establishment, post the document making a recommenda-
tion for corrective action on the website of the Office of Inspector 
General. 
‘‘(2) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorizing 
an Inspector General to publicly disclose information otherwise 
prohibited from disclosure by law.’’. 
(e) POSTING OF REPORTS ON WEBSITES OF OFFICES OF INSPEC-
TORS GENERAL.—Section 8M(b) of the Inspector General Act of 
1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘is made publicly avail-
able’’ and inserting ‘‘is submitted in final form to the head 
of the Federal agency or the head of the designated Federal 
entity, as applicable’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
5 USC app. 8M. 
Deadline. 
Web posting. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
5 USC app. 4. 
Definition. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00570
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 1603 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subsection 
shall be construed as authorizing an Inspector General to pub-
licly disclose information otherwise prohibited from disclosure 
by law.’’. 
SEC. 5. FULL AND PROMPT ACCESS TO ALL DOCUMENTS. 
Section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1)(A) to have timely access to all records, reports, audits, 
reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, or other mate-
rials available to the applicable establishment which relate 
to the programs and operations with respect to which that 
Inspector General has responsibilities under this Act; 
‘‘(B) to have access under subparagraph (A) notwith-
standing any other provision of law, except pursuant to any 
provision of law enacted by Congress that expressly— 
‘‘(i) refers to the Inspector General; and 
‘‘(ii) limits the right of access of the Inspector General; 
and 
‘‘(C) except as provided in subsection (i), with regard to 
Federal grand jury materials protected from disclosure pursu-
ant to rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, 
to have timely access to such information if the Attorney Gen-
eral grants the request in accordance with subsection (h);’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) through (f) as sub-
sections (c) through (g), respectively; 
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: 
‘‘(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing 
an Inspector General to publicly disclose information otherwise 
prohibited from disclosure by law.’’; and 
(4) by inserting after subsection (g), as redesignated, the 
following: 
‘‘(h)(1) If the Inspector General of an establishment submits 
a request to the head of the establishment for Federal grand jury 
materials pursuant to subsection (a)(1), the head of the establish-
ment shall immediately notify the Attorney General of such request. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 15 days after the date on which a request 
is submitted to the Attorney General under paragraph (1), the 
Attorney General shall determine whether to grant or deny the 
request for Federal grand jury materials and shall immediately 
notify the head of the establishment of such determination. The 
Attorney General shall grant the request unless the Attorney Gen-
eral determines that granting access to the Federal grand jury 
materials would be likely to— 
‘‘(A) interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation or 
prosecution; 
‘‘(B) interfere with an undercover operation; 
‘‘(C) result in disclosure of the identity of a confidential 
source, including a protected witness; 
‘‘(D) pose a serious threat to national security; or 
‘‘(E) result in significant impairment of the trade or eco-
nomic interests of the United States. 
‘‘(3)(A) The head of the establishment shall inform the Inspector 
General of the establishment of the determination made by the 
Deadline. 
Determinations. 
Records. 
Notification. 
5 USC app. 6. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00571
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 1604 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
Attorney General with respect to the request for Federal grand 
jury materials. 
‘‘(B) The Inspector General of the establishment described under 
subparagraph (A) may submit comments on the determination sub-
mitted pursuant to such subparagraph to the committees listed 
under paragraph (4) that the Inspector General considers appro-
priate. 
‘‘(4) Not later than 30 days after notifying the head of an 
establishment of a denial pursuant to paragraph (2), the Attorney 
General shall submit a statement that the request for Federal 
grand jury materials by the Inspector General was denied and 
the reason for the denial to each of the following: 
‘‘(A) The Committee on Homeland Security and Govern-
mental Affairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Select 
Committee on Intelligence of the Senate. 
‘‘(B) The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 
the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Permanent Select 
Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. 
‘‘(C) Other appropriate committees and subcommittees of 
Congress. 
‘‘(i) Subsections (a)(1)(C) and (h) shall not apply to requests 
from the Inspector General of the Department of Justice.’’. 
SEC. 6. ACCESS TO INFORMATION FOR CERTAIN INSPECTORS GEN-
ERAL. 
The Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), as amended 
by this Act, is amended— 
(1) in section 8(b)(2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘from accessing information described 
in paragraph (1),’’ after ‘‘completing any audit or investiga-
tion,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, access such information,’’ after ‘‘com-
plete such audit or investigation’’; 
(2) in section 8D(a)(2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘from accessing information described 
in paragraph (1),’’ after ‘‘completing any audit or investiga-
tion,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, access such information,’’ after ‘‘com-
plete such audit or investigation’’; 
(3) in section 8E(a)(2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘from accessing information described 
in paragraph (1),’’ after ‘‘completing any audit or investiga-
tion,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, access such information,’’ after ‘‘com-
plete such audit or investigation’’; 
(4) in section 8G(d)(2)(A), by inserting ‘‘, or from accessing 
information available to an element of the intelligence commu-
nity specified in subparagraph (D),’’ after ‘‘investigation’’; 
(5) in section 8I(a)(2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘from accessing information described 
in paragraph (1),’’ after ‘‘completing any audit or investiga-
tion,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, access such information,’’ after ‘‘com-
plete such audit or investigation’’; 
(6) in section 8J, by striking ‘‘or 8H’’ and inserting ‘‘8H, 
or 8N’’; and 
(7) by inserting after section 8M the following: 
5 USC app. 8J. 
5 USC app. 8I. 
5 USC app. 8G. 
5 USC app. 8E. 
5 USC app. 8D. 
5 USC app. 8. 
Deadline. 
Statement. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00572
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 1605 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
‘‘SEC. 8N. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE DEPART-
MENT OF ENERGY. 
‘‘(a) The Secretary of Energy may prohibit the Inspector General 
of the Department of Energy from accessing Restricted Data and 
nuclear safeguards information protected from disclosure under 
chapter 12 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2161 
et seq.) and intelligence or counterintelligence, as defined in section 
3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003), if the 
Secretary of Energy determines that the prohibition is necessary 
to protect the national security or prevent the significant impair-
ment to the national security interests of the United States. 
‘‘(b) Not later than 7 days after the date on which the Secretary 
of Energy exercises any power authorized under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall notify the Inspector General of the Department 
of Energy in writing the reasons for such exercise. Within 30 
days after receipt of any such notice, the Inspector General of 
the Department of Energy shall submit to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress a statement concerning such exercise.’’. 
SEC. 7. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. 
(a) REPEALS.— 
(1) INSPECTOR GENERAL ACT OF 2008.—Section 7(b) of the 
Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–409; 
122 Stat. 4312; 5 U.S.C. 1211 note) is repealed. 
(2) FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPRO-
PRIATIONS
ACT, 2009.—Section 744 of the Financial Services 
and General Government Appropriations Act, 2009 (division 
D of Public Law 111–8; 123 Stat. 693) is repealed. 
(b) AGENCY APPLICABILITY.— 
(1) AMENDMENTS.—The Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 
U.S.C. App.), as amended by this Act, is further amended— 
(A) in section 8M— 
(i) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘Each agency’’ and inserting 
‘‘Each Federal agency and designated Federal 
entity’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘that agency’’ each place that 
term appears and inserting ‘‘that Federal agency 
or designated Federal entity’’; 
(ii) in subsection (b)— 
(I) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘agency’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Federal agency and designated Federal 
entity’’; and 
(II) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘agency’’ each 
place that term appears and inserting ‘‘Federal 
agency and designated Federal entity’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘designated Fed-
eral entity’ and ‘head of the designated Federal entity’ have the 
meanings given those terms in section 8G(a).’’; and 
(B) in section 11(c)(3)(A)(ii), by striking ‘‘department, 
agency, or entity of the executive branch’’ and inserting 
‘‘Federal agency or designated Federal entity (as defined 
in section 8G(a))’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by paragraph 
(1) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act. 
Time period. 
5 USC app. 8M 
note. 
5 USC app. 11. 
5 USC app. 8M. 
5 USC app. 8M 
note. 
Statement. 
Deadlines. 
Notification. 
Determination. 
5 USC app. 8N. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00573
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 1606 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR INSPECTORS GENERAL WEBSITES.—Sec-
tion 8M(b)(1) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), 
as amended by this Act, is further amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘report or audit (or 
portion of any report or audit)’’ and inserting ‘‘audit report, 
inspection report, or evaluation report (or portion of any such 
report)’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘report or audit (or portion of that report 
or audit)’’ each place that term appears and inserting ‘‘report 
(or portion of that report)’’. 
(d) CORRECTIONS.— 
(1) EXECUTIVE
ORDER
NUMBER.—Section 7(c)(2) of the 
Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–409; 
122 Stat. 4313; 31 U.S.C. 501 note) is amended by striking 
‘‘12933’’ and inserting ‘‘12993’’. 
(2) PUNCTUATION AND CROSS-REFERENCES.—The Inspector 
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), as amended by this Act, 
is further amended— 
(A) in section 4(b)(2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘8F(a)(2)’’ each place that term 
appears and inserting ‘‘8G(a)(2)’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘8F(a)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘8G(a)(1)’’; 
(B) in section 5(a)(5), by striking ‘‘section 6(b)(2)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘section 6(c)(2)’’; 
(C) in section 5(a)(13), by striking ‘‘05(b)’’ and inserting 
‘‘804(b)’’; 
(D) in section 6(a)(4), by striking ‘‘information, as well 
as any tangible thing)’’ and inserting ‘‘information), as well 
as any tangible thing’’; 
(E) in section 8A(d), by striking ‘‘section 6(c)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘section 6(d)’’; 
(F) in section 8G(g)(3), by striking ‘‘8C’’ and inserting 
‘‘8D’’; and 
(G) in section 11(d)(8)(A), in the matter preceding 
clause (i), by striking ‘‘paragraph (7)(C)’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraph (7)(E)’’. 
(3) SPELLING.—The Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
App.), as amended by this Act, is further amended— 
(A) in section 3(a), by striking ‘‘subpena’’ and inserting 
‘‘subpoena’’; 
(B) in section 6(a)(4), by striking ‘‘subpenas’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subpoenas’’; 
(C) in section 8D(a)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘subpenas’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subpoenas’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘subpena’’ each 
place that term appears and inserting ‘‘subpoena’’; 
(D) in section 8E(a)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘subpenas’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subpoenas’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘subpena’’ each 
place that term appears and inserting ‘‘subpoena’’; and 
(E) in section 8G(d)(1), by striking ‘‘subpena’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subpoena’’. 
5 USC app. 8E. 
5 USC app. 8D. 
5 USC app. 3. 
5 USC app. 11. 
5 USC app. 8G. 
5 USC app. 8A. 
5 USC app. 6. 
5 USC app. 5. 
5 USC app. 4. 
5 USC app. 11 
note. 
5 USC app. 8M. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00574
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 1607 
PUBLIC LAW 114–317—DEC. 16, 2016 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 6450 (S. 579): 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 114–36 (Comm. on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs) accompanying S. 579. 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016): 
Dec. 8, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 9, considered and passed Senate. 
SEC. 8. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED. 
No additional funds are authorized to carry out the require-
ments of this Act or the amendments made by this Act. The require-
ments of this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall 
be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized. 
Approved December 16, 2016. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:27 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00002
Frm 00575
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6580
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT2\59194PT2.001
59194PT2
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER