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.
H.R. 4465 seeks to keep chapters 4, 10, and 131 of title 5, United States Code, current by codifying laws passed after October 19, 2021 and correcting related technical errors. In addition to updating the codification, the bill makes substantial changes to Inspector General (IG) authorities and procedures across federal agencies and established offices. Key elements include expanding and clarifying definitions (including which congressional committees oversee IGs), tightening removal/transfer and vacancy procedures for IGs (and providing for acting appointments), and broadening IG reporting and transparency requirements (including public access to semiannual reports, whistleblower protections, and requirements around responses to involving non-governmental organizations). The bill emphasizes Congress’s role in oversight, creates more structured processes around IG changes in status, and aims to improve accountability and transparency in IG operations while maintaining the existing substantive law. Some provisions apply to special IGs (for Afghanistan Reconstruction, the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and Pandemic Recovery). The overall effect would be to modernize and harmonize IG practices across the federal system, with increased reporting, disclosure, and congressional communication requirements.
Key Points
- 1Updates and codifies post-2021 laws to keep chapters 4, 10, and 131 current, while correcting technical errors in those chapters.
- 2Strengthens removal, transfer, and non-duty status procedures for Inspectors General, including:
- 3- Requirement for the President to provide written, substantive rationale to Congress (and relevant committees) at defined intervals before removal/transfer.
- 4- Clear provisions for placing an IG on non-duty status and for acting appointments, with detailed requirements and safeguards.
- 5- Limits on using acting appointments to one IG position at a time and thresholds for who can serve in such capacities.
- 6Expands vacancy and succession rules for IGs (including “first assistant to the position of Inspector General” and designated deputies) and clarifies temporary acting arrangements when an IG cannot perform duties.
- 7Overhauls and expands the IG reporting regime, including:
- 8- Detailed semiannual reports with findings on problems, deficiencies, costs savings, investigations, and management actions.
- 9- Public availability of reports within a set timeframe, and mandatory sharing with the head of the relevant establishment and Congress.
- 10- Requirements regarding whistleblower retaliation, interference with independence, peer reviews, and other oversight metrics.
- 11Broadens disclosure and accountability mechanisms, including:
- 12- Rules governing the sharing of information with Congress, public access, and protections for whistleblower identities.
- 13- Provisions requiring non-governmental organizations and business entities identified in reports to receive notice and the opportunity to respond within a 30-day window.
- 14- Procedures for attaching responses to public versions of reports and ensuring public-facing websites reflect these responses.
- 15Applies to and clarifies status for several special IGs (Afghanistan Reconstruction, TARP, Pandemic Recovery) within the broader framework.