The Gift Accountability, Reporting, and Disclosures Act (GARD Act) would substantially expand and modernize how gifts and decorations from foreign countries are reported by federal employees. It amends 5 U.S.C. 7342 to require agencies to compile and submit a listing of all statements related to foreign gifts and decorations to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and the Department of State. The bill broadens who must report (including certain political candidates for federal office and some non-U.S. individuals/entities), adds new data and tracking requirements for gifts, imposes a late filing fee, and requires public access to the compiled listings. It also clarifies certain acceptances and dispositions of gifts and moves toward a more transparent, centrally coordinated process, with public posting within 120 days after enactment. In short, the bill would increase transparency around foreign gifts received by federal personnel, extend coverage to additional individuals (like federal candidates and some non-U.S. persons), require more detailed information about gifts and their disposition, and publicly disclose this information in a manner similar to financial disclosures.
Key Points
- 1Expands scope to include presidential, vice-presidential, and congressional candidates as required filers under the foreign gifts reporting framework.
- 2Broadens who must be listed to include non-U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or entities not organized under U.S. or U.S.-jurisdiction law.
- 3Adds new reporting recipients, including the Federal Electoral Commission (for federal office campaigns) and ethics committees (Senate Select Committee on Ethics and House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct) as authorities for compiling statements.
- 4Requires enhanced data in the disclosures:
- 5- Estimated fair market value of gifts in the U.S.
- 6- Tracking numbers (PPM) for gifts transferred to the General Services Administration and current location/disposition details (e.g., purchased by recipient, deposited with NARA, retained for official use, etc.).
- 7- Clear current location and final disposition categories.
- 8Tightens and refines how gifts are handled and disclosed, including redaction processes and coordination with the OGE.
- 9Establishes a late filing penalty: a $200 late fee for statements filed more than 30 days after the due date, with possible waivers for good cause.
- 10Requires public access: agencies must adapt systems within 120 days of enactment to provide public access to the listings, similar to how financial disclosure reports are made public.
- 11Changes due dates: initial reporting timeline moved to May 15 for certain filings, with specified duties for the Secretary of State and OGE.
- 12Applies to filings within 30 days after enactment, ensuring a prompt expansion of the reporting regime.