H.R. 9342
GPO Modernization Act of 2026
Sponsor: Stephanie I. Bice · 0 cosponsors
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
GPO Modernization Act of 2026
This bill revises certain programs and operations of the Government Publishing Office (GPO). The bill also revises a Library of Congress (LOC) requirement related to the publication of the Constitution Annotated.
Specifically, the bill revises the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) through which GPO provides long-term public access to federal publications. Among other changes to the FDLP, the bill (1) updates statutory references within the FDLP to include references to government public information in all formats, including digital; and (2) removes a requirement that a depository library must maintain a specified minimum number of books.
Additionally, the bill requires GPO's Superintendent of Documents to (1) provide descriptive cataloguing records for government public information, which must include metadata; and (2) protect the privacy of individuals using the digital repository system.
Among other changes to GPO operations, the bill
- redesignates the Joint Committee on Printing (which oversees GPO) as the Joint Committee on Publishing and updates the relevant statutory references,
- specifies that GPO may provide publishing services,
- allows GPO to accept gifts,
- increases the statutory simplified acquisition threshold for GPO purchases, and
- updates certain employee leave carryover and compensation rules.
The bill also replaces the requirement for LOC to prepare hardbound versions of the Constitution Annotated and supplements with a requirement for LOC to instead prepare digital versions and publish them online. The new requirement applies to the supplement after the Supreme Court term beginning October 2026 and all subsequent editions.
Text of the bill
I Sales programs
II Public information programs
Where this section came from
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Jun 18, 2026 · Introduced in House Referred to House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Jun 18 Referred to House Committee on House Administration, Jun 18
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Sep 10, 2026 · Reported in House Marked up by House Committee on House Administration, Jun 24 Reported by House Committee on House Administration, Sep 10 Committee members' individual votes aren't in our records.
Section 1912 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to read as follows
:
(and by conforming the table of sections of chapter 19 accordingly):
… 8 unchanged passages …
What is a markup?
A markup is a committee meeting where members go through a bill and vote on changes before sending it to the full chamber.
Section 1912 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to read as follows (and by conforming the table of sections of chapter 19 accordingly):
1912. Regional depositories; designation; functions; shared responsibilities, disposal of publications
(a) Not more than two depository libraries in each State and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may be designated as regional depositories and shall receive from the Superintendent of Documents copies of or access to all new and revised Government publications authorized for dissemination to depository libraries. Designation of regional depository libraries may be made by a Senator or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico within the areas served by them. Prior to the designation the Superintendent of Documents shall consult with the head of the potential regional depository library and ascertain that the library will fulfill the requirements for depository libraries. The agreement to function as a regional depository library shall be transmitted to the Superintendent of Documents by the Senator or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico when the designation is made.
(b) Regional depository libraries shall retain at least one copy of all Government publications received, except those authorized to be discarded by the Superintendent of Documents policy and guidance or covered by collaborative agreements approved by the Superintendent of Documents, or make accessible digital versions (in accordance with Superintendent of Documents policy) and, within the area served, will provide leadership and coordination for the provision of program-related activities for depository libraries.
(c) Regional depository libraries from different States may share responsibilities by entering into agreements in accordance with Superintendent of Documents guidance and upon approval of a Senator from each of the States.
(d) The Superintendent of Documents shall establish not fewer than four multistate collection service areas to support collaborative collection and service coordination among depository libraries within such area.
(e) Publications distributed by the Superintendent of Documents to depository libraries are holdings of the National Collection of U.S. Government Public Information and remain the property of the United States Government. Libraries designated as regional depositories will coordinate with the Superintendent of Documents on the disposition of Government Publications from depository libraries, within the areas served by them, which the depository library has retained for five years or when the depository library is relinquishing its depository designation. The Superintendent of Documents shall manage the National Collection of U.S. Government Public Information to maximize the access to, use of, and preservation of Government public information in the depository library program.
III GPO Operational Modernization
IV Preparation of Constitution Annotated