Sec. 710.
340 words·~2 min read·
/bill/116/hr/3351/rfs/section-710A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
During the period in which an individual is the head of a department or an agency, or occupies a position in the Federal Government that requires confirmation by the Senate, no funds may be obligated or expended in excess of $5,000 to furnish or redecorate the office of such individual, or to purchase furniture or make improvements for any such office, unless advance notice of such furnishing or redecoration is transmitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The notification required under subsection
(a)shall include a justification for any expense that relates to health and safety, an explanation of how the expenses align with and advance the agency mission, and a report that includes the following: Whether a hiring freeze is in place at the agency. Information on agency staffing levels, including a list of positions that have been vacant for over 120 days, and an explanation as to what barriers or disruptions have prevented such positions from being filled. Any delays longer than 30 days in the administration of grants with the potential to impact public health or safety. The number of pending FOIA requests, including the number of requests that the agency failed to respond to within 20 days of initial receipt. A list of outstanding recommendations from the Government Accountability Office on how to improve agency operations. Any individual found in violation of this section, as determined by an agency inspector general or the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall pay, into the general fund of the Treasury, an amount equal to the expenses obligated or expended in excess of $5,000, plus interest (calculated at the rate equal to the interest rate for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan, in accordance with 20 U.S.C. 1087(e) ). For the purposes of this section, the term office shall include the entire suite of offices assigned to the individual, as well as any other space used primarily by the individual or the use of which is directly controlled by the individual.