[Congressional Bills 118th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8597 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8597 To amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, the Financial Stability Act of 2010, and the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to improve access to information in the legislative and executive branches of the Government, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 3, 2024 Mr. Quigley (for himself and Ms. Norton) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, Ethics, Financial Services, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, the Financial Stability Act of 2010, and the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to improve access to information in the legislative and executive branches of the Government, 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. This Act may be cited as the ``Transparency in Government Act of 2024''. SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Table of contents. TITLE I--IMPROVING ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES Sec. 101. Greater disclosure and electronic filing of personal financial information. Sec. 102. Greater disclosure of travel reports. Sec. 103. Greater disclosure of gift reports. Sec. 104. Greater disclosure of earmarks. Sec. 105. GAO study and report on effects of written requests by members of Congress for funding of projects. TITLE II--ENHANCING PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE WORK OF CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES, LEGISLATION, AND VOTES Sec. 201. Increased transparency of committee work. Sec. 202. Increased transparency of recorded votes. Sec. 203. Electronic format. Sec. 205. Use of data standards by congressional support offices. Sec. 206. Inclusion of digital version of funding tables in reports accompanying appropriations bills. Sec. 207. Select committee on the modernization of congress. Sec. 208. Expanded information in house staff directory. TITLE III--EXPANDING ACCESS TO CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE REPORTS ON LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WEBSITE Sec. 301. Inclusion of reports from archive. Sec. 302. Availability of reports in structured format. Sec. 303. Report on making other materials available. Sec. 304. Effective date. TITLE IV--LOBBYING DISCLOSURE Sec. 401. Short title. Sec. 402. Modifications to enforcement. Sec. 403. Definition of lobbyist. Sec. 404. Expedited online registration of lobbyists; thresholds for certain organizations whose employees are lobbyists. Sec. 405. Disclosure of political contributions. Sec. 406. Identification numbers for lobbyists. Sec. 407. Ethics training for lobbyists. Sec. 408. Repeal of exemption of reporting lobbying contacts reported under Foreign Agents Registration Act. Sec. 409. Repeal of use of estimates based on tax reporting system. TITLE V--TRANSPARENCY IN FEDERAL AWARDS Sec. 501. Improving application programming interface and website data elements. Sec. 502. Improving data quality. Sec. 503. Requirements relating to reporting of award data. Sec. 504. Recipient performance transparency. Sec. 505. Improvement of responsibility/qualification information. Sec. 506. Federal contractor compliance. Sec. 507. Improving access to information disclosed on lobbying activities. Sec. 508. Inclusion of narratives on USASpending.gov. Sec. 509. Suspension and debarment database. TITLE VI--EXECUTIVE BRANCH TRANSPARENCY Subtitle A--Public Availability of Information Sec. 601. Agency defined. Sec. 602. Requirement for disclosure of Federal sponsorship of all Federal advertising or other communications. Sec. 603. Improving access to influential executive branch official's visitor access records. Sec. 604. Improving rulemaking disclosure for the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Sec. 605. Improving registration information from agents of foreign principals. Sec. 606. Government-wide entity identifier. Sec. 607. Grants transparency requirements. Subtitle B--Publication of Opinions of Office of Legal Counsel Sec. 611. Short title. Sec. 612. Schedule of publication for final OLC opinions. Sec. 613. Exceptions and limitation on public availability of final OLC opinions. Sec. 614. Method of publication. Sec. 615. Index of opinions. Sec. 616. Private right of action. Sec. 617. Severability. Sec. 618. Definitions. Subtitle C--Contempt of Congress Procedures and Enforcement Sec. 621. Availability of civil action to enforce House of Representatives subpoenas. Sec. 622. Alternate procedures for enforcement of criminal contempt of Congress. Sec. 623. Increase in penalty for contempt of Congress. Sec. 624. Authority of United States Capitol Police to enforce citations. Sec. 625. Collection of penalties imposed by the House of Representatives on persons cited for contempt of House. Sec. 626. No effect of expiration of Congress on pending actions. Subtitle D--Promoting Accountability and Security in Transitions Sec. 631. Short title. Sec. 632. Sense of Congress. Sec. 633. Definitions. Sec. 634. Management and custody of Presidential records. Sec. 635. Restrictions on access to Presidential records. Sec. 636. Exceptions to restricted access. Sec. 637. Regulations. Sec. 638. Disclosure requirement for official business conducted using non-official electronic messaging accounts. Sec. 639. Presidential Transition Act of 1963. Sec. 640. Former Presidents. Sec. 641. Presidential archival depository. TITLE VII--STRENGTHENING THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT Sec. 701. Digital access to records made available under the Freedom of Information Act. Sec. 702. Freedom of Information Act Amendments. Sec. 703. Other matters. TITLE VIII--IMPROVING TRANSPARENCY WITHIN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM Sec. 801. Televising Supreme Court proceedings. Sec. 802. Audio recording of Supreme Court proceedings. Sec. 803. Availability on the internet of financial disclosure reports of judicial officers. Sec. 804. GAO audit of pacer. Sec. 805. Electronic court records reform. TITLE IX--ENFORCEMENT Sec. 901. Report by the Government Accountability Office. TITLE X--MISCELLANEOUS Sec. 1001. Transfer of certain records to archivist of United States. Sec. 1002. Data standards. TITLE I--IMPROVING ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES SEC. 101. GREATER DISCLOSURE AND ELECTRONIC FILING OF PERSONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION. (a) Additional Financial Disclosure Requirements.--(1) Section 102(a)(1)(B) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 102(a)(1)(B)) is amended in clause (iv) by striking ``$15,000'' and inserting ``$25,000'' and by striking clauses (v) through (ix) and inserting the following new clauses: ``(v) greater than $25,000 but not more than $100,000, rounded to the nearest $10,000, ``(vi) greater than $100,000 but not more than $1,000,000, rounded to the nearest $100,000, or ``(vii) greater than $1,000,000, rounded to the nearest $1,000,000.''. (2) Section 102(d)(1) of such Act (5 U.S.C. App. 102(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``(3), (4), (5), and (8)'' and inserting ``(5) and (8)''. (3) Section 102(d) of such Act (5 U.S.C. App. 102(d)) is amended by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3) and by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph: ``(2) The categories for reporting the amount or value of the items covered in paragraphs (3) or (4) of subsection (a) are as follows: ``(A) Not more than $15,000. ``(B) Greater than $15,000 but not more than $25,000. ``(C) Greater than $25,000 but not more than $100,000, rounded to the nearest $10,000. ``(D) Greater than $100,000 but not more than $1,000,000, rounded to the nearest $100,000. ``(E) Greater than $1,000,000, rounded to the nearest $1,000,000.''. (b) More Frequent Disclosure of Financial Transactions Involving Large Sums of Money.-- (1) Section 101 of such Act (5 U.S.C. App. 101) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(j) In addition to any other report required to be filed by a Member of Congress or officer or employee of the Congress, each such individual is required to file a quarterly report on April 30, July 30, October 30, and January 30 of each year covering the preceding calendar quarter if that individual (or the spouse or any dependent child of that individual) purchased, sold, or exchanged any property described in subsection (a)(5) valued at not less than $250,000 during that calendar quarter. For any such transaction of not less than $250,000, such report shall contain all of the information required under subsection (a)(5).''. (2)(A) Clause 1 of rule XXVI of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by inserting ``(a)'' after ``1.'' and by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(b) If any report is filed with the Clerk for a calendar quarter pursuant to section 101(i) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, the Clerk shall compile all such reports sent to the Clerk by Members and have them printed as a House document, which shall be made available to the public, as soon as practicable. ``(c) Each individual required to file a report with the Clerk under title I under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 shall file and maintain such report in electronic form.''. (B) Comparable language to be added by the Senate. (c) Availability on the Internet of Reports Filed Under This Title With the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate.--Section 103 of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 103) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(m) The Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate shall each make available any report filed with them under this title (whether the report is filed in paper or electronic form) within 48 hours of the applicable submission deadline on the website of the Clerk or the Secretary, as applicable, in a searchable, sortable, downloadable, machine-readable format.''. (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to reports filed for calendar years or calendar quarters beginning after the date of enactment of this Act. SEC. 102. GREATER DISCLOSURE OF TRAVEL REPORTS. (a) Foreign Travel.--Clause 8(b)(3) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``Within 48 hours after any such report is filed with the chair of a committee, the chair shall post the report on the Internet site of the committee in a searchable, sortable, downloadable, machine- readable format.''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to travel commencing after the date of enactment of this Act. SEC. 103. GREATER DISCLOSURE OF GIFT REPORTS. (a) Requiring Clerk of the House To Post Reports on Internet Not Later Than 48 Hours After Receipt.--(1) Clause 5(b)(5) of rule XXV of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended-- (A) by striking ``shall make available'' and inserting ``shall post on the public Internet site of the Clerk and otherwise make available''; and (B) by striking ``as possible'' and inserting the following: ``as possible, but in no event later than 48 hours,''. (2) Comparable language to be added by the Senate. (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to reports filed on or after the date of the adoption of this resolution. SEC. 104. GREATER DISCLOSURE OF EARMARKS. (a) Electronic Disclosure by Members.--(1) Rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by redesignating clause 22 as clause 23 and by inserting after clause 21 the following: ``22. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who requests a congressional earmark, a limited tax benefit, or a limited tariff benefit shall, within 24 hours after making such request-- ``(1) post on his or her public website for the remainder of the Congress the following-- ``(A) the name and address of the intended recipient; ``(B) whether the intended recipient is a for- profit or not-for-profit entity; ``(C) the requested amount (only in the case of congressional earmarks); and ``(D) an explanation of the request, including the purpose, and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds; ``(2) electronically submit to the committee of subject- matter jurisdiction the webpage address where such information is posted; ``(3) identify each request as having been submitted to the committee of subject-matter jurisdiction; and ``(4) display on the homepage of such website a hypertext link that contains the words `Earmarks', `Appropriations Requests', `Limited Tax Benefits', or `Limited Tariff Benefits' and that directs to such webpage address, and maintain that link for at least 30 calendar days after the last such request is made during the Congress.''. (2) The last sentence of clause 16 of rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by striking ``and clause 17'' and inserting ``, clause 17, and clause 22''. (b) Electronic Disclosure by Committees.--Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new clause: ``Earmark disclosure websites ``(a) Any committee that accepts any request of a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner for a congressional earmark, a limited tax benefit, or a limited tariff benefit shall maintain a public website with an earmark disclosure webpage that contains the following for each such request-- ``(1) the bill name; ``(2) the name, State, and district of that individual; ``(3) the name and address of the intended recipient; ``(4) whether the intended recipient is a for-profit or not-for-profit entity; ``(5) the requested amount (only in the case of congressional earmarks); ``(6) a brief description; and ``(7) the applicable department or agency of the Government, and the account or program (if provided to the committee in the request); and ``is in a downloadable format that is searchable and sortable by such characteristics. ``(b) Any written statement received by a committee under clause 17(a) of rule XXIII shall be posted on the earmark disclosure webpage of the committee. ``(c) The earmark disclosure webpage of a committee shall list the names of any Member, Delegate, and Resident Commissioner who requests a congressional earmark, a limited tax benefit, or a limited tariff benefit and link directly to their webpage addresses referred to in clause 18(2) of rule XXIII. ``(d) The earmark disclosure webpage of a committee shall post the information required under paragraphs (a) through (c) within one week of receipt, and shall maintain that information on that webpage for the remainder of the Congress. ``(e) For purposes of this clause, the terms `congressional earmark', `limited tax benefit', and `limited tariff benefit' shall have the meaning given them in clause 9 of rule XXI.''. (c) Point of Order.--Clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by redesignating paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) as paragraphs (f), (g), and (h), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (d) the following: ``(e) It shall not be in order to consider any bill or joint resolution, or an amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that carries a congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit for which a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner failed to comply with any applicable requirement of clause 18 of rule XXIII.''. (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to requests for congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, and limited tariff benefits made after the date this resolution is agreed to. (e) Centralized Database for Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits.--(1) The Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the chairs of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall collaborate to create one centralized database where all requests for earmark, limited tax benefits, and limited tariff benefits are available on the Internet in a searchable, sortable, downloadable format to the public. The data available to the public for each earmark should include-- (A) an identification of the bill into which the earmark is to be inserted; (B) the name, State, and district of the Member of Congress requesting the earmark; (C) the name and