Bill · H.R. 10204· House(119-HR-10204)
Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act
- Introduced
- 9/1/2026
- Last activity
- 9/15/2026 — Received in the Senate.
- Sponsored by
- H. Griffith
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Awaiting Senate
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act. It changes how certain officers in legislative branch agencies, like the Librarian of Congress and the Director of the Government Publishing Office, are appointed and removed. The bill also separates the Copyright Office from the Library of Congress and sets up a new Inspector General for the Copyright Office. Furthermore, it updates human capital management and print requirements for the Government Publishing Office. Finally, it outlines when these various changes will take effect.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
Creates an independent Inspector General to audit the Copyright Office and mandates merit-based hiring for key roles.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+2
Establishes an Inspector General for the Copyright Office to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?+2
Establishes professional qualifications for the Register of Copyrights and increases administrative accountability.
The opposite
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-2
Reduces the scope of Senate 'advice and consent' for certain appointments and grants warrant-less arrest powers to specific agents.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 and Section 4: These sections change the appointment process for the Librarian of Congress and the Director of the Government Publishing Office so that they are chosen without regard to political affiliation and solely based on fitness for the job. This could result in more qualified, competent leaders running these agencies for the benefit of the public.
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Section 6: This section establishes an independent Office of Inspector General within the Copyright Office to conduct audits and investigations. This provides a transparent way to keep the Register of Congress and the public informed about problems and deficiencies in the administration of the Copyright Office.
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Section 8: This section requires the Director of the Government Publishing Office to establish a human capital management system that includes merit system principles and prohibits prohibited personnel practices. This ensures fairness and protects workers from unfair personnel actions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 6: This section grants law enforcement authority, including the power to make arrests without a warrant and carry firearms, to certain special agents under the new Copyright Office Inspector General. Giving law enforcement powers to administrative agency personnel could be viewed as a negative or burdensome expansion of federal police powers over individuals.
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Section 8: This section prohibits the new Inspector General of the Copyright Office from receiving any cash awards or cash bonuses. While meant to limit extra spending, this restriction might make it harder to attract or retain top-tier talent for the oversight role compared to other positions.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Intellectual Property Fairness+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Improves Due Process-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance+1
- 9/15/2026
- Received in the Senate.
- 9/14/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5551-5556)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 10204.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5551-5557)
- Mr. Griffith moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 9/1/2026
- Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.