Overview
Title
An Act To amend title 31, United States Code, to require agencies to include a list of outdated or duplicative reporting requirements in annual budget justifications, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The "Eliminate Useless Reports Act of 2024" is like a clean-up plan for government paperwork, asking government helpers to find and stop doing reports that are old or no longer needed, all while making sure they follow special rules for important things Congress wants to know.
Summary AI
H.R. 5301, titled the "Eliminate Useless Reports Act of 2024," aims to streamline government reporting by requiring U.S. federal agencies to identify and recommend the removal or modification of outdated or duplicate recurring plans or reports. It mandates that agencies include a list of unnecessary reports in their budget justifications, and outline recommendations for whether these reports should be sunsetted, modified, or submitted less frequently. The bill also ensures that these evaluations and recommendations are consistent with guidelines for congressionally mandated reports, enhancing governmental efficiency and reducing redundant paperwork.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The legislation titled the "Eliminate Useless Reports Act of 2024," currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate, proposes amendments to Title 31 of the United States Code. The bill aims to streamline reporting processes for governmental agencies by identifying and reducing outdated or redundant reports submitted to Congress. Under this act, agencies are required to review and justify each ongoing report and suggest whether they should be sunset, modified, or consolidated. The proposed changes also call for these assessments to be documented within annual budget justifications, enhancing transparency and efficiency in governmental operations.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the primary concerns surrounding this bill is the ambiguity in defining what constitutes "outdated or duplicative" reports. This lack of clear criteria might lead to inconsistent evaluations across various agencies, which could compromise oversight responsibilities and transparency. Additionally, the process of consulting between different agencies on these determinations may introduce inefficiencies, potentially causing delays if disagreements arise.
Further, the requirement for agencies to conform their reporting recommendations and justifications to the guidance of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) could impose administrative burdens without clear benefits. The communication specified by the bill's short title does not aptly convey the intricacies of the legislation, possibly leading to misunderstandings regarding its objectives. Lastly, the timelines specified for submitting electronic copies and updating OMB guidance could misalign with legislative or practical priorities, possibly complicating compliance efforts.
Potential Impact on the Public
The expected impact of the bill on the general public centers around governmental efficiency and resource allocation. By eliminating redundant reports, the bill hopes to redirect agency focus and resources towards more impactful activities, potentially leading to improved government services. However, if essential oversight mechanisms are reduced in this process, the public's ability to hold the government accountable could be impaired.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Government Agencies: Agencies may experience an increased administrative load due to the requirements for assessments and justifications of current reports. This could strain resources unless balanced by reductions in the frequency or number of reports deemed unnecessary.
Legislators and Oversight Bodies: Congress and associated committees might receive fewer reports, aimed to reduce bureaucratic clutter, but it is critical to ensure that this does not come at the expense of essential information for oversight. Ensuring that the quality of reporting is maintained will be crucial for ongoing legislative functions.
OMB and GPO: Both the Office of Management and Budget and the Government Publishing Office will play vital roles in implementing and assessing the effectiveness of the changes. They will need to ensure that guidance provided is clear and contributes meaningfully to the objectives of increased governmental efficiency.
In conclusion, while this bill aims to enhance the efficiency of government operations by trimming unnecessary reporting requirements, careful implementation and clarity in the operational guidelines will be paramount to prevent unintended consequences on transparency and oversight.
Issues
The lack of specific criteria for what constitutes 'outdated or duplicative' reports in Section 2 could lead to inconsistent interpretations across different agencies, potentially affecting important oversight functions and leading to reduced transparency.
The methodology of consulting other agencies on whether reports are outdated or duplicative, as detailed in Section 2(b)(2), could result in inefficiencies and disagreements that delay action or resolution, particularly if agencies cannot come to a consensus.
The administrative burden of conforming submissions to the guidance of the Office of Management and Budget, as referenced in Section 2(b)(1), might introduce additional challenges for agencies without clear added value, affecting operational efficiency.
The short title 'Eliminate Useless Reports Act of 2024' as mentioned in Section 1 does not clearly communicate the bill's scope or potential impact, leading to possible confusion among stakeholders and the public about the legislation's goals.
The timelines set for submission of electronic copies of reports (30 to 60 days) and updated OMB guidance (180 days) in Section 2(c) appear arbitrary and may not align with the broader legislative priorities or practical needs of agency compliance processes.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this act establishes its official name: the "Eliminate Useless Reports Act of 2024".
2. Sunsets for agency reports Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
This section of the bill amends existing U.S. law to streamline how government agencies report to Congress by identifying and recommending changes to outdated or duplicated reports. Agencies must include these recommendations in their budget justifications and collaborate with other agencies if necessary, ensuring transparency through online publications, while not exempting them from any current reporting obligations.