H.R. 1695 — Introduced in House

I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1695 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 23, 2017Mr. Goodlatte (for himself, Mr. Conyers, Ms. Bass, Mr. Biggs, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Buck, Mr. Chabot, Ms. Judy Chu of California, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Collins of Georgia, Mr. DeSantis, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Farenthold, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Gaetz, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Gowdy, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Johnson of Louisiana, Mr. Jordan, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Labrador, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Mr. Marino, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Poe of Texas, Mr. Ratcliffe, Mrs. Roby, Mr. Sensenbrenner, and Mr. Smith of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 17, United States Code, to provide additional responsibilities for the Register of Copyrights, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017. 2. Register of Copyrights (a) Amendments Section 701 of title 17, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking (a) All administrative and inserting the following: (a) Register and Director (1) In general All administrative ; (B) by striking director and inserting Director; (C) by inserting after the first sentence the following: The Register of Copyrights shall be a citizen of the United States with a professional background and experience in copyright law and shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.; and (D) in the last sentence, by striking shall be appointed and all that follows through and shall act and inserting shall act; (2) in subsection (b), by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly; (3) by redesignating subsection (b) as paragraph (2), and adjusting the margins accordingly; (4) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by inserting Duties.— before In addition; (5) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) Oath The Register of Copyrights shall, before taking office, take an oath to discharge faithfully the duties of the Copyright Office described in paragraph (2). (4) Removal (A) In general The Register of Copyrights may be removed from office by the President. (B) Notification The President shall provide notification to both Houses of Congress of a removal under subparagraph (A). (5) Term of Office (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), the Register of Copyrights— (i) shall be appointed for a term of 10 years; and (ii) may serve until a successor is appointed, confirmed, and taken the oath of office. (B) Limitation The Register of Copyrights may not continue to serve after the date on which Congress adjourns sine die after the date on which the 10-year period described in subparagraph (A)(i) ends. (C) Reappointment An individual appointed to the position of Register of Copyrights, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, may be reappointed to that position in accordance with the requirements of this section. ; (6) by redesignating subsections (c) through (f) as subsections (b) through (e), respectively; (7) in subsection (b), as so redesignated, by inserting Seal.— before The Register; (8) in subsection (c), as so redesignated, by inserting Annual Report.— before The Register; (9) in subsection (d), as so redesignated, by inserting Applicability of title 5.— before Except as provided; and (10) in subsection (e), as so redesignated, by inserting Compensation.— before The Register. (b) Applicability The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to any vacancy for the Register of Copyrights after January 1, 2017. If a Register of Copyrights is appointed during the period beginning on January 1, 2017, and ending on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, that Register shall meet the requirements of the amendments made by this Act or shall be replaced in accordance with such amendments.