GPO Modernization Act of 2026
In progressGPO 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.
Sep 15, 2026Received in the Senate.
The GPO Modernization Act of 2026 aims to update the authorities and operations of the Government Publishing Office, focusing on improving access to government publications and modernizing its functions. The bill outlines specific changes to the sale, distribution, and management of government documents, with an emphasis on digital access and preservation.
