Sec. 1705. Reports and additional information
1,019 words·~5 min read·
/bill/114/s/3011/pcs/section-1705·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Comptroller General of the United States shall— conduct a study of prolonged vacancies in the Offices of Inspector General during which a temporary appointee has served as the head of the office that includes— the number and duration of Inspector General vacancies; an examination of the extent to which the number and duration of such vacancies has changed over time; an evaluation of the impact such vacancies have had on the ability of the relevant Office of Inspector General to effectively carry out statutory requirements; and recommendations to minimize the duration of such vacancies; not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, present a briefing on the findings of the study conducted under paragraph
(1)to— the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives; and not later than 15 months after the date of enactment of this Act, submit a report on the findings of the study conducted under paragraph
(1)to the committees described in paragraph (2). The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall— conduct an analysis of critical issues that involve the jurisdiction of more than 1 individual Federal agency or entity to identify— each such issue that could be better addressed through greater coordination among, and cooperation between, individual Offices of Inspector General; the best practices that can be employed by the Offices of Inspector General to increase coordination and cooperation on each issue identified; and any recommended statutory changes that would facilitate coordination and cooperation among the Offices of Inspector General on critical issues; and not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, submit a report on the findings of the analysis described in paragraph
(1)to— the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives. Section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App) is amended— in subsection (a)— in paragraph (10)— by striking period for which and inserting “period— for which ; and by adding at the end the following: for which no establishment comment was returned within 60 days of providing the report to the establishment; and for which there are any outstanding unimplemented recommendations, including the aggregate potential cost savings of those recommendations. ; in paragraph (15), by striking and at the end; in paragraph (16), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and by adding at the end the following: a report on each investigation conducted by the Office involving general or flag officers or employees of the establishment serving in a position classified at or above GS-15 of the General Schedule or an equivalent position where allegations of misconduct were substantiated, including a detailed description of— the facts and circumstances of the investigation; and the status and disposition of the matter, including— if the matter was referred to the Department of Justice, the date of the referral; and if the Department of Justice declined the referral, the date of the declination; a detailed description of any instance of whistleblower retaliation, including information about the official found to have engaged in retaliation and what, if any, consequences the establishment imposed to hold that official accountable; a detailed description of any attempt by the establishment to interfere with the independence of the Office, including— with communication between the Office and Congress; with budget constraints designed to limit the capabilities of the Office; and incidents where the establishment has resisted or objected to oversight activities of the Office or restricted or significantly delayed access to information, including the justification of the establishment for such action; and detailed descriptions of the particular circumstances of each— inspection, evaluation, and audit conducted by the Office that is closed and was not disclosed to the public; and investigation conducted by the Office involving general or flag officers or employees of the establishment serving in a position classified at or above GS-15 of the General Schedule or an equivalent position that is closed and was not disclosed to the public. ; and in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following: Subject to any other provision of law that would otherwise prohibit disclosure of such information, the information described in paragraph
(1)may be provided to any Member of Congress upon request. An Office may not provide to Congress or the public any information that reveals the personally identifiable information of a whistleblower under this section unless the Office first obtains the consent of the whistleblower. . Section 4 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by adding at the end the following: Whenever an Inspector General, in carrying out the duties and responsibilities established under this Act, issues a work product that makes a recommendation or otherwise suggests corrective action, the Inspector General— shall submit the work product to— the head of the establishment; the congressional committees of jurisdiction; and if the work product was initiated upon request by an individual or entity other than the Inspector General, that individual or entity; may submit the work product to any Member of Congress upon request; and not later than 3 days after the work product is submitted in final form to the head of the establishment, post the work product on the website of the Office of Inspector General. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the public disclosure of information that is specifically prohibited from disclosure by any other provision of law. . Section 8M(b) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended— in paragraph (1)(A), by striking is made publicly available and inserting is submitted in final form to the head of the Federal agency or the head of the designated Federal entity, as applicable ; and by adding at the end the following: Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the public disclosure of information that is prohibited from disclosure by any other provision of law. .