A refinement of the bill, v3 includes minor clarifications to the designation of digital-only depository libraries and explicitly outlines the distribution of the Congressional Record to depository libraries. These changes enhance precision in the bill's operative language without altering its overall policy direction.
Skipping v2 (REPORTED IN HOUSE). Those versions changed too little to need their own analysis, so they reuse INTRODUCED IN HOUSE's. Changes are measured from the most recent version analyzed on its own.
GPO Modernization Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]
- Committees
- Committee on House Administration (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 15, 2026
This analysis was written for v1 (INTRODUCED IN HOUSE, Jun 18, 2026). ENGROSSED IN HOUSE changed too little to need its own, so it reuses that one rather than a rewrite. The differences between the two are summarized above. View v1
Bottom line
This bill aims to bring the GPO's operations and public information dissemination into the digital age, enhancing public access to government documents while streamlining internal processes.
What it actually does
This bill modernizes the Government Publishing Office (GPO) by updating its authorities, renaming the Joint Committee on Printing to the Joint Committee on Publishing, and revising how government information is made available to the public. It establishes a 'National Collection of United States Public Information' and mandates digital-first publication for several congressional documents, including the Congressional Directory and the Constitution Annotated.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue the bill is essential for modernizing the GPO, ensuring permanent public access to government information in digital formats, and improving efficiency. They would highlight the cost savings from digital-first mandates and the enhanced discoverability of public information.
Opponents contend
Opponents might raise concerns about the potential for reduced access for those without reliable internet access, the complete shift away from physical copies for certain documents, or the potential for increased costs associated with maintaining digital infrastructure and preservation. They might also question the scope of the GPO's new authorities.
The bill is moderately complex but readable, allowing an informed reader to grasp its core changes within a reasonable timeframe.
Sec. 101, Title I
Modernizing Sales Authority and Document Disposal
This section updates the GPO's authority regarding the sale and disposal of government documents. It grants the Superintendent of Documents more flexibility in pricing and authorizing resale, removes a requirement for departmental approval to sell documents, and allows the Superintendent to set rules for disposing of unneeded documents.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue these changes streamline GPO operations, allow for more market-responsive pricing, and ensure efficient management of government publications, including their disposal.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that removing departmental approval could lead to less oversight on what is sold, or that flexible pricing might make some documents less accessible.
Tradeoffs
Balances operational efficiency and market responsiveness with public access and oversight.
Sec. 201, Title II
Establishing Public Information Programs
This section formally establishes the Public Information Programs within the GPO, outlining their purpose to ensure free, equitable, and convenient public access to government information. It lists specific programs like the Federal Depository Library Program and the National Collection of U.S. Government Public Information.
Sec. 203, Title II
Mandating Agency Collaboration for Public Information Availability
This provision requires all federal government components to actively collaborate with the Superintendent of Documents. They must notify the Superintendent about all government public information they issue, both tangible and digital, and work together to ensure digital content remains permanently accessible. Agencies also need to furnish tangible publications not produced by the GPO.
Sec. 205, Title II
Expanding Depository Library Designations to Include Digital-Only
This section updates the rules for designating depository libraries, specifically allowing the Superintendent of Documents to designate 'digital-only depository libraries.' It also mandates that the Superintendent assess potential depository libraries for their sustainability and ability to provide access to both physical and digital content before designation.
Sec. 209, Title II
Enhancing Regional Depository Coordination and National Collection Management
This section revises the role of regional depositories, allowing them to share responsibilities across states and mandating the establishment of at least four multistate collection service areas for collaborative collection and service coordination. It also clarifies that all distributed publications are part of the National Collection of U.S. Government Public Information and remain government property.
Sec. 210, Title II
Establishing Comprehensive Cataloging and Online Access Services
This section mandates the Superintendent of Documents to provide descriptive cataloging for all government public information, using industry standards. It requires the creation and maintenance of a free, online, comprehensive catalog of both historical and current, tangible and digital government information, showing where it can be obtained or accessed.
Sec. 211, Title II
Establishing and Administering the National Collection of U.S. Public Information
This section formally establishes the National Collection of United States Government Public Information, declaring government publications as national assets. It tasks the Superintendent of Documents with ensuring free, permanent, and geographically distributed public access, applying information lifecycle management, and collaborating with stakeholders for preservation. The GPO Director is also mandated to operate a digital repository for online access, digitization, and preservation, while protecting user privacy.
Sec. 212, Title II
Digital-First Congressional Directory
This section updates the requirement for the Congressional Directory, mandating that it and its supplements be prepared and made available exclusively in a digital format on a public GPO website, rather than in print.
Sec. 301, Title III
Renaming and Modernizing the Joint Committee on Publishing
This section renames the Joint Committee on Printing to the Joint Committee on Publishing, updating its statutory references and structure within Title 44. It also removes outdated references to the former committee in other federal laws, reflecting a broader modernization of oversight for government publishing activities.
Sec. 302, Title III
Streamlining GPO Procurement and Repealing Outdated Authorities
This section updates the GPO's procurement services to explicitly include 'publishing' alongside 'printing' and 'binding.' Crucially, it repeals several outdated sections of Title 44 that governed printing procurement, printing for executive departments, and other specific printing requirements, thereby streamlining the GPO's operational authorities.
Sec. 304, Title III
Revising GPO's Role in Federal Register Publication and Oversight
This section modifies the GPO's relationship with the Federal Register. It removes the GPO Director from the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register, shifting oversight. It also clarifies GPO's role in publishing the Federal Register and mandates the printing of at least two physical copies for preservation and continuity of government purposes, even as digital publication becomes primary.
Sec. 401, Title IV
Shifting Constitution Annotated to Digital-Only Publication
This section eliminates the requirement for the Congressional Research Service to prepare hardbound versions of the Constitution Annotated and its supplements. Instead, it mandates that these publications be produced and made available exclusively in digital format on a public Library of Congress website, with specific effective dates for the shift (e.g., after the October 2026 term for supplements). It also repeals mandatory printing requirements.
This section amends 44 U.S.C. 303 by striking the second sentence, which explicitly linked the GPO Director's annual rate of pay to Level III of the Executive Schedule. This change allows for the Director's compensation to be determined by other legislative branch compensation frameworks.
Sec. 309, Title III
Why it matters:This is a technical amendment to align compensation structures, often handled in a concise manner without extensive explanation in the bill text.
Case for: Proponents argue this change ensures the GPO Director's compensation is competitive with other legislative branch agencies, helping to attract and retain top talent for this critical role.
Case against: Critics might argue against increasing executive compensation, especially if it's not tied to specific performance metrics or if it's perceived as an unnecessary expense.
Estimated impact: Potentially increases the compensation for the GPO Director.
This section amends 5 U.S.C. 6304(f)(1) to add 'Government Publishing Office senior level service' positions to the list of federal employees who are allowed to carry over a higher amount of annual leave than standard federal employees.
Sec. 310, Title III
Why it matters:This is a standard technical adjustment to personnel policy, often placed in a general provisions title, rather than an attempt to obscure a controversial policy.
Case for: Proponents argue this change helps GPO attract and retain highly qualified senior staff by offering competitive benefits consistent with other federal agencies, recognizing the demanding nature of these roles.
Case against: Critics might argue that expanding enhanced leave benefits adds to federal personnel costs or creates an inequity with other federal employees who do not receive such benefits.
Estimated impact: Provides a benefit to GPO senior staff, potentially aiding recruitment and retention.
This subsection repeals sections 503, 504, 1104, 1105, and 1112 of Title 44, United States Code. These sections historically governed specific rules for printing procurement, printing for executive departments, and other detailed operational aspects of GPO's printing mandate.
Sec. 302(b), Title III
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for streamlining and removing outdated statutes, rather than an attempt to hide a controversial policy. The details of the repealed sections are likely highly technical and administrative.
Case for: Proponents argue these repeals remove outdated and unnecessary bureaucratic requirements that no longer serve a purpose in a modernized GPO, allowing for greater efficiency and flexibility.
Case against: Critics might argue that without a clear explanation of what each repealed section did, there's a risk of inadvertently removing important checks, balances, or historical mandates that still hold value.
Estimated impact: Streamlines GPO operations and procurement, potentially reducing administrative overhead for federal agencies.