General Accounting Office Act of 1996
PL 104-316 (H.R.3864), enacted 10/19/1996

110 STAT. 3826 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
Public Law 104-316 
104th Congress 
An Act 
Oct. 19, 1996 
To amend laws authorizing auditing, reporting, and other functions by the General 
[H.R. 3864] 
Accounting Office. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
General 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
Accounting Office 
Act of 1996. 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
31 use 701 note. 
rpj^jg j^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^j^^ "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. 
31 u s e 702 note. 
(a) I N 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Accounting Office is repealed by this Act, the authority under 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. 
31 u s e 702 note. 
(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 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
110 STAT. 3827 
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 
31USC 702 note, 
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.— 
3i use 702 note. 
(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.— 
2 use i30c note. 
(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". 
110 STAT. 3828 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
(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 Greneral 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 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
110 STAT. 3829 
(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 Greneral 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(1) 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 C P A 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)— 
110 STAT. 3830 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
(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 G A O 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 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
110 STAT. 3831 
Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 1823 note) is amended 
by striking "ANNUAL GAO" and inserting "GAO". 
(c) QUARTERLY REPORT ON F D I C 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 REVlEW.^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 ll(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.". 
110 STAT. 3832 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
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 Greneral 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 Greneral shall prescribe". 
(d) REPORT ON GLEN CANYON COSTS AND BENEFITS.—Section 
1804 of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment 
Act of 1992 (Pubhc 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 Greneral of the United 
States" and inserting "Attorney Greneral". 
SEC. 110. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TITLE 19, UNITED STATES CODE 
(CUSTOMS DUTIES). 
(a) AUDITS O F 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 Greneral". 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
110 STAT. 3833 
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). 
r 
(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". 
110 STAT. 3834 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
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 
(PubHc 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 
(jrenergJ 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 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
110 STAT. 3835 
(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. 
110 STAT. 3836 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
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 
(PUBUC 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 21(XaX8) 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 
(PUBUC 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 
(PUBUC 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(aX3)) 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". 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
110 STAT. 3837 
(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 H H S 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 
B
Y 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— 42USC1437f 
(1) striking subsection (i); and 
note. 
(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". 
(1) 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). 
110 STAT. 3838 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
(m) METHODOLOGY OF STUDY.—Section 211(B)(f)(2) of Public 
Law 101-515, as amended by the Violent Crime Control and Law 
42 use 3721 
Enforcement Act of 1994, is amended by striking "shall serve" 
°ote. 
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)(l) 
of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act 
of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5919(x)(l)) 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 GUARAI'^'EES.—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-
103 Stat. 2168. 
239) is repealed. 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
110 STAT. 3839 
(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 eimended— 
(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 fiimish reports of the audits to the Congress 
and the Public Printer."; £ind 
(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 appUcable 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 IntermodaQ 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 
110 STAT. 3840 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
(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 
Greneral 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 (jeneral shall" and inserting "Administrator of Greneral 
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 "Secretarjr"; 
(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 
1388-377. 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
110 STAT. 3841 
(3) by strikingthe third sentence, 
(g) 
STUDY 
OF ENHANCED 
PROCUREMENT 
AUTHORITY FOR 
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.—Section 9206 of the Omnibus 
Budget ReconciUation Act of 1990 (PubHc Law 101-508) is repealed. 
104 Stat. 
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 bjr"; 
(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. 20171(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; £ind 
(B)Dy 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)(l)— 
(A) by striking "The Comptroller General, on the basis 
of such reports fi'om the Board and" and inserting "The 
Board, on the basis of such reports fi'om"; 
(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". 
110 STAT. 3842 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
TITLE II—CONFORMING AMENDMENTS 
TO ENACT TRANSFERS AND DELEGA-
TIONS OF FUNCTIONS UNDER OTHER 
LAWS 
31 use 501 note. 
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 GenergJ 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 
GenergJ" 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,". 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
110 STAT. 3843 
(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". 
(1) 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 
29-194 O - 96 - 25 : QL 3 Part 5 
110 STAT. 3844 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
"(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 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
110 STAT. 3845 
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: 31USC 501 note. 
"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— 
110 STAT. 3846 
PUBLIC LAW 104-316—OCT. 19, 1996 
"(A) by the Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget, except as provided in subparagraph (B); or 
"(B) in the case of a function delegated by the Director 
to another agency, by the head of the agency to which the 
function was delegated.". 
Approved October 19, 1996. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3864: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 142 (1996): 
Sept. 4, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 3, considered and passed Senate.