HR 4465119th CongressIntroduced

To amend chapters 4, 10, and 131 of title 5, United States Code, as necessary to keep those chapters current and to correct related technical errors.

Introduced: Jul 16, 2025

Labor & Employment

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

H.R. 4465 is a technical, housekeeping bill that aims to keep chapters 4, 10, and 131 of title 5, United States Code, current by incorporating laws enacted after October 19, 2021 (as described in Public Law 117-286) and correcting related technical errors. The amendments are designed to reflect existing law in those chapters without altering the substantive meaning. In addition to updating cross-references, the bill makes targeted changes to Inspector General (IG) authority, reporting requirements, and related definitions to improve oversight, transparency, and consistency across the various IG offices, including special IGs for Afghanistan Reconstruction, the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and Pandemic Recovery.

Key Points

1Purpose and scope: Updates to chapters 4, 10, and 131 to reflect laws enacted after October 19, 2021 and fix technical errors, while preserving the current meaning and effect of the underlying law.
2IG removals, transfers, and non-duty status: Establishes formal, written requirements for when the President may remove or transfer an Inspector General, including advance (30 days) written rationale to both Houses of Congress; detailed notification requirements when an IG is under inquiry; and rules governing placement on non-duty status with specific timelines (e.g., 15 days before effect) and justification. It also clarifies references for special IGs and sets conditions for temporary acting appointments, including limits on acting capacity to one IG at a time and criteria for temporary directions by the President.
3Vacancy and acting arrangements: Creates definitions and procedures for handling vacancies in Inspector General positions, including who may temporarily perform IG functions (e.g., first assistant to the IG, Principal Deputy, or Deputy IG), and the process for temporary appointments with specific pay, qualifications, and notification requirements.
4Expanded governance language for IG offices: Adds or clarifies references to IG offices and their leadership roles, including special IGs, and updates related provisions to align with current statutory structures.
5Audit and reporting framework enhancements: Recasts and expands key terms in Section 405 (e.g., disallowed costs, management decision, questioned costs, senior government employee, etc.) and imposes more detailed semiannual reporting requirements. This includes extensive data on audit outcomes, financial impact, management decisions, and actions taken, as well as new reporting on whistleblower retaliation and interference with IG independence.
6Transparency and public access: Requires semiannual IG reports to be made publicly available within specified timeframes and authorizes publication of responses from non-governmental organizations or businesses identified in reports when appropriate, with procedures for handling responses and redaction to protect sensitive information.
7Safeguards and confidentiality: Maintains protections around sensitive or ongoing investigations, while clarifying when information may be disclosed to Congress, and ensuring whistleblower data remains protected unless consent is obtained.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Federal offices of Inspector General and the leadership of those offices (including special IGs). The bill changes how IGs can be removed, placed on non-duty status, and how acting arrangements are handled, as well as tightening and expanding reporting requirements.Secondary group/area affected- Congress (particularly committees with oversight over the IG system) and heads of establishments that oversee IG offices. The bill increases reporting obligations, timelines for communications, and public accessibility of reports.- Non-governmental organizations and businesses identified in IG reports (with a process for providing written responses and attaching those responses to public reports).Additional impacts- Potential changes in administrative overhead and compliance for IG offices due to expanded definitions, more detailed semiannual reporting, and enhanced public disclosure requirements.- Strengthened accountability mechanisms for whistleblower protection and for addressing interference or pressure on IG independence.- Clarification that these amendments do not alter substantive law but are intended to ensure current law is accurately reflected in the Code and properly implemented.

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