,i #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #edib ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #af1 #bjad ,mr4 ,issa 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,cummings1 and ,mr4 ,meadows7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh to strengthen the independence of the ,inspectors ,general1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,inspector ,general ,empowerment ,act of #bjad4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,additional authority provisions for ,inspectors ,general4 ,sec4 #c4 ,clarification of resources available to the ,council of the ,inspectors ,general on ,integrity and ,efficiency4 ,sec4 #d4 ,additional responsibilities of the ,council of the ,inspectors ,general on ,integrity and ,efficiency4 ,sec4 #e4 ,paperwork ,reduction ,act exemption4 ,sec4 #f4 ,amendments to the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh and the ,inspector ,general ,reform ,act of #bjjh4 ,sec4 #g4 ,reports required4 #b4 ,additional authority provisions for ,inspectors ,general 7a7 ,subpoena authority for ,inspectors ,general ,to require testimony of certain persons ,the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 is amended-- 7#a7 by inserting after section #f the following new section3 #f;,a4 ,additional authority 7a7 ,testimonial subpoena authority ,in addition to the authority otherwise provided by this ,act and in accordance with the requirements of this section1 each ,inspector ,general1 in carrying out the provisions of this ,act1 is authorized to require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of certain witnesses1 including a contractor with the ,federal ,government and any former ,federal employee 7but not including any ,federal employee71 necessary in the performance of the functions assigned by this ,act1 which subpoena1 in the case of contumacy or refusal to obey1 shall be enforceable by order of any appropriate ,united ,states district court4 7b7 ,panel review before issuance 7#a7 ,approval required ,before the issuance of a subpoena described in subsection 7a71 an ,inspector ,general shall submit a request for approval to issue a subpoena by a majority of a panel 7in this section1 referred to as the ,subpoena ,panel71 which shall be comprised of each ,chair 7or a designee of such chair7 of the ,audit1 ,inspections1 and ,evaluation ,committees of the ,council of the ,inspectors ,general on ,integrity and ,efficiency4 7#b7 ,time to respond 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 the ,subpoena ,panel shall approve or deny a request for approval to issue a subpoena not later than #aj days after the submission of such request4 7,b7 ,additional information for ,panel ,if the ,subpoena ,panel determines that additional information is necessary to approve or deny such request1 the ,subpoena ,panel shall request such information and shall approve or deny such request not later than #bj days after the submission of such request4 7#c7 ,denial by panel ,if a majority of the ,subpoena ,panel denies the approval of a subpoena1 that subpoena may not be issued4 7c7 ,notice to ,attorney ,general 7#a7 ,in general ,if the ,subpoena ,panel approves a subpoena under subsection 7b71 the ,inspector ,general shall notify the ,attorney ,general that the ,inspector ,general intends to issue the subpoena4 7#b7 ,denial for interference with an ongoing investigation ,not later than #aj days after the date on which the ,attorney ,general is notified pursuant to paragraph 7#a71 the ,attorney ,general may object to the issuance of the subpoena because the subpoena will interfere with an ongoing investigation and the subpoena may not be issued4 7#c7 ,issuance of subpoena approved ,if the ,attorney ,general does not object to the issuance of the subpoena during the ten-day period described in paragraph 7#b71 the ,inspector ,general may issue the subpoena4 2 and 7#b7 in section #e7;a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#ae71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#af71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by inserting at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ag7 a description of the use of subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of certain witnesses authorized under section #f;,a4 4 7b7 ,matching program exception for inspectors general ,section #f7;a7 of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#h71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7#b7 by redesignating paragraph 7#i7 as paragraph 7#aj72 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#h7 the following new paragraph3 7#i7 notwithstanding paragraph 7#ab7 of subsection 7e7 and subsections 7o71 7p71 7q71 7r71 and 7u7 of section #eeb;a of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 to compare1 through a matching program 7as defined in such section71 any ,federal records with other ,federal or non-,federal records1 while conducting an audit1 investigation1 inspection1 evaluation1 or other review authorized under this ,act to identify weaknesses that may lead to waste1 fraud1 or abuse and to detect improper payments and fraud2 and 4 #c4 ,clarification of resources available to the ,council of the ,inspectors ,general on ,integrity and ,efficiency ,section #aa of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7e7 ,authorization of ,appropriations for ,council ,for the purposes of carrying out this section1 there are authorized to be appropriated into the revolving fund described in subsection 7c77#c77;,b71 out of any money in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 the following sums3 7#a7 #h1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjae4 7#b7 #h1ejj1jjj for fiscal year #bjaf4 7#c7 #i1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag4 7#d7 #i1ejj1jjj for fiscal year #bjah4 7#e7 #aj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjai4 7#f7 #aj1ejj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj4 7#g7 #aa1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjba4 4 #d4 ,additional responsibilities of the ,council of the ,inspectors ,general on ,integrity and ,efficiency 7a7 ,functions and duties of ,council ,section #aa7;c77#a7 of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,g71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7#b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,h7 as subparagraph 7,i72 and 7#c7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,g7 the following new subparagraph3 7,h7 receive1 review1 and mediate any disputes submitted in writing to the ,council by an ,office of ,inspector ,general regarding an audit1 investigation1 inspection1 evaluation1 or project that involves the jurisdiction of more than one ,federal agency or entity2 and 4 7b7 ,integrity ,committee ,section #aa7;d7 of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#e7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by inserting at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,d7 not later than #fj days after the date on which an allegation of wrongdoing is received by the ,integrity ,committee1 make a determination whether the ,integrity ,committee will initiate an investigation of such allegation under this subsection4 2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#f77;,b77i71 by striking may and inserting shall2 and 7#c7 in paragraph 7#g7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,b77i7-- 7i7 in subclause 7,,iii71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7ii7 in subclause 7,,iv71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7iii7 by inserting at the end the following new subclauses3 7,v7 creating a regular rotation of ,inspectors ,general assigned to investigate complaints through the ,integrity ,committee2 and 7,,vi7 creating procedures to avoid conflicts of interest for ,integrity ,committee investigations4 2 7,b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,c7 as subparagraph 7,e72 and 7,c7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,b7 the following new subparagraphs3 7,c7 ,completion of investigation ,if a determination is made under paragraph 7#e7 to initiate an investigation1 the ,integrity ,committee-- 7i7 shall complete the investigation not later than six months after the date on which the ,integrity ,committee made such determination2 7ii7 if the investigation cannot be completed within such six-month period1 shall-- 7,i7 promptly notify the congressional committees listed in paragraph 7#h77;,a77iii72 and 7,,ii7 to the maximum extent practicable1 complete the investigation not later than #c months after the expiration of the six-month period2 and 7iii7 if the investigation cannot be completed within such nine-month period1 shall brief the congressional committees listed in paragraph 7#h77;,a77iii7 every thirty days until the investigation is complete4 7,d7 ,concurrent investigation ,if an investigation of an allegation of wrongdoing against an ,inspector ,general or a staff member of an ,office of ,inspector ,general described under paragraph 7#d77;,c7 is initiated by a governmental entity other than the ,integrity ,committee1 the ,integrity ,committee may conduct any related investigation for which a determination to initiate an investigation was made under paragraph 7#e7 concurrently with the other government entity4 4 7c7 ,technical correction2 designee authority ,section #aa of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b77#a77;,b7 by striking ,director of ,national ,intelligence and inserting ,intelligence ,community2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7d77#b7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by inserting or the designee of the ,special ,counsel before the period at the end2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by inserting or the designee of the ,director before the period at the end4 #e4 ,paperwork ,reduction ,act exemption ,section #ceah7;c7 of title #dd1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting paragraph 7#c72 7#b7 by redesignating paragraph 7#b7 as paragraph 7#c72 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a7 the following new paragraph3 7#b7 ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#c71 this subchapter shall not apply to the collection of information during the conduct of any evaluation1 or other review conducted by the ,recovery ,accountability and ,transparency ,board1 or during the conduct of any audit1 investigation1 inspection1 evaluation1 or any other review conducted by the ,council of the ,inspectors ,general on ,integrity and ,efficiency or any ,office of ,inspector ,general1 including any ,office of ,special ,inspector ,general4 4 #f4 ,amendments to the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh and the ,inspector ,general ,reform ,act of #bjjh 7a7 ,incorporation of ,provisions ,from the ,inspector ,general ,reform ,act of #bjjh into the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#a7 ,amendment ,section #aa7;d7 of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ab7 ,allegations of wrongdoing against special counsel or deputy special counsel 7,a7 ,special counsel defined ,in this paragraph1 the term ,special ,counsel means the ,special ,counsel appointed under section #abaa7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,b7 ,authority of integrity committee 7i7 ,in general ,an allegation of wrongdoing against the ,special ,counsel or the ,deputy ,special ,counsel may be received1 reviewed1 and referred for investigation by the ,integrity ,committee to the same extent and in the same manner as in the case of an allegation against an ,inspector ,general 7or a member of the staff of an ,office of ,inspector ,general71 subject to the requirement that the ,special ,counsel recuse himself or herself from the consideration of any allegation brought under this paragraph4 7ii7 ,coordination with existing provisions of law ,this paragraph does not eliminate access to the ,merit ,systems ,protection ,board for review under section #ggja of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 ,to the extent that an allegation brought under this subsection involves section #bcjb7;b77#h7 of that title1 a failure to obtain corrective action within #abj days after the date on which that allegation is received by the ,integrity ,committee shall1 for purposes of section #abba of such title1 be considered to satisfy section #abad7;a77#c77;,b7 of that title4 7,c7 ,regulations ,the ,integrity ,committee may prescribe any rules or regulations necessary to carry out this paragraph1 subject to such consultation or other requirements as might otherwise apply4 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #g7;b7 of the ,inspector ,general ,reform ,act of #bjjh 7,public ,law #aaj-dji2 #abb ,stat4 #dcab2 #e ,u4,s4,c4 #abaa note7 is repealed4 7b7 ,agency ,applicability 7#a7 ,amendments ,the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 as amended by section #b7;a71 is further amended-- 7,a7 in section #h,m-- 7i7 in subsection 7a77#a7-- 7,i7 by striking the first agency and inserting ,federal agency and designated ,federal entity2 and 7,,ii7 by striking the second and third agency and inserting ,federal agency or designated ,federal entity2 and 7ii7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,i7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking agency and inserting ,federal agency and designated ,federal entity2 and 7,,ii7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7aa7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking agency and inserting ,federal agency and designated ,federal entity2 and 7bb7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking agency and inserting ,federal agency and designated ,federal entity2 and 7,b7 in section #aa7;c77#c77;,a77ii71 by striking department1 agency1 or entity of the executive branch and inserting ,federal agency or designated ,federal entity4 7#b7 ,implementation ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the head and the ,inspector ,general of each ,federal agency and each designated ,federal entity 7as such terms are defined in sections #ab and #h;,g of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 respectively7 shall implement the amendments made by this subsection4 7c7 ,requirements for ,inspectors ,general ,websites ,section #h,m7b77#a7 of the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking report or audit 7or portion of any report or audit7 and inserting audit report1 inspection report1 or evaluation report 7or portion of any such report72 and 7#b7 by striking report or audit 7or portion of that report or audit7 and inserting report 7or portion of that report71 each place it appears4 7d7 ,corrections 7#a7 ,executive order number ,section #g7;c77#b7 of the ,inspector ,general ,reform ,act of #bjjh 7,public ,law #aaj-dji2 #abb ,stat4 #dcac2 #ca ,u4,s4,c4 #eja note7 is amended by striking #abicc and inserting #abiic4 7#b7 ,punctuation and cross-references ,the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 as amended by section #b7;a7 and subsection 7b71 is further amended-- 7,a7 in section #d7;b77#b7-- 7i7 by striking #h;,f7a77#b7 and inserting #h;,g7a77#b71 each place it appears2 and 7ii7 by striking #h;,f7a77#a7 and inserting #h;,g7a77#a72 7,b7 in section #f7;a77#d71 by striking information1 as well as any tangible thing7 and inserting information71 as well as any tangible thing2 7,c7 in section #h;,g7g77#c71 by striking #h;,c and inserting #h;,d2 and 7,d7 in section #e7;a77#ac71 by striking #je7;b7 and inserting #hjd7;b74 7#c7 ,spelling ,the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 as amended by section #b7;a71 subsection 7b71 and paragraph 7#b71 is further amended-- 7,a7 in section #c7;a71 by striking subpena and inserting subpoena2 7,b7 in section #f7;a77#d71 by striking subpena and subpenas and inserting subpoena and subpoenas1 respectively2 7,c7 in section #h;,d7a7-- 7i7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking subpenas and inserting subpoenas2 and 7ii7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking subpena and inserting subpoena1 each place it appears2 7,d7 in section #h;,e7a7-- 7i7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking subpenas and inserting subpoenas2 and 7ii7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking subpena and inserting subpoena1 each place it appears2 and 7,e7 in section #h;,g7d71 by striking subpena and inserting subpoena4 7e7 ,repeal ,section #gdd of the ,financial ,services and ,general ,government ,appropriations ,act1 #bjji 7division ,d of ,public ,law #aaa-h2 #abc ,stat4 #fic2 #e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app4 #h,l7 is repealed4 #g4 ,reports required 7a7 ,report on vacancies in the offices of inspector general 7#a7 ,,gao study required ,the ,comptroller ,general shall conduct a study of prolonged vacancies in the ,offices of ,inspector ,general1 during which a temporary appointee has served as the head of the office that includes-- 7,a7 the number and duration of ,inspector ,general vacancies2 7,b7 an examination of the extent to which the number and duration of such vacancies has changed over time2 7,c7 an evaluation of the impact such vacancies have had on the ability of the relevant ,office of the ,inspector ,general to effectively carry out statutory requirements2 and 7,d7 recommendations to minimize the duration of such vacancies4 7#b7 ,committee briefing required ,not later than nine months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall present a briefing on the findings of the study described in subsection 7a7 to the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate4 7#c7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than fifteen months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit a report on the findings of the study described in subsection 7a7 to the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate4 7b7 ,report on issues involving multiple offices of inspector general 7#a7 ,examination required ,the ,council of the ,inspectors ,general on ,integrity and ,efficiency shall conduct an analysis of critical issues that involve the jurisdiction of more than one individual ,federal agency or entity to identify-- 7,a7 each such issue that could be better addressed through greater coordination among1 and cooperation between1 individual ,offices of ,inspector ,general2 7,b7 the best practices that can be employed by the ,offices of ,inspector ,general to increase coordination and cooperation on each issue identified2 and 7,c7 any recommended statutory changes that would facilitate coordination and cooperation among ,offices of ,inspector ,general on critical issues4 7#b7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,council of the ,inspectors ,general on ,integrity and ,efficiency shall submit a report on the findings of the analysis described in subsection 7a7 to the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate4