Overview
Title
To amend the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to authorize the Legislative Counsel of the House of Representatives to designate more than one of the attorneys of the Office of the Legislative Counsel as a Deputy Legislative Counsel, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 9487 is like giving the House law-making helpers more backup by allowing more than one helper to have a special job title, so they can share the work better and not get confused about who does what.
Summary AI
H.R. 9487, called the "House Office of Legislative Counsel Modernization Act," proposes changes to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970. The bill allows the Legislative Counsel of the House of Representatives to designate more than one attorney as a Deputy Legislative Counsel. It includes changes in how responsibilities are assigned when there are multiple Deputy Legislative Counsels, ensuring clear determination of who performs necessary functions.
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AnalysisAI
The bill titled "House Office of Legislative Counsel Modernization Act" aims to update a component of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970. Currently, the Legislative Counsel of the House of Representatives can designate only one attorney as a Deputy Legislative Counsel. This bill seeks to amend that provision, allowing for multiple attorneys to hold the title of Deputy Legislative Counsel. It includes directives on assigning the responsibilities of the Legislative Counsel when more than one Deputy is appointed, mandating that a notice is filed with the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the House specifying the order in which Deputies will assume responsibilities.
Significant Issues
One of the primary issues with this proposed change is the potential for confusion regarding which Deputy Legislative Counsel will fulfill certain functions when multiple individuals hold the position. The bill specifies that the order of responsibility will be determined through a notice filed with the Speaker and the Minority Leader. However, the reliance on such a notice might not provide the transparency or timeliness the public might expect, potentially leading to uncertainty about how legislative tasks are delegated and managed.
Public Impact
The bill may have limited direct impact on the general public because it pertains to the internal organization of the Office of the Legislative Counsel, which is less visible to the public eye. However, the clarity and efficiency with which legislative documents and proposals are managed by these appointed officials could indirectly affect how smoothly legislative processes run, potentially impacting the creation and amendment of significant laws.
Impact on Stakeholders
For stakeholders within Congress, particularly those working closely with the Office of the Legislative Counsel, this bill could lead to a more streamlined and adaptable work environment. By allowing more attorneys to hold the Deputy title, the office may distribute workload more effectively, which could enhance legislative efficiency and responsiveness.
On the other hand, for members of the public, transparency is key. While the internal management of legislative functions is crucial, understanding who holds these responsibilities, especially in times of key legislative debates or developments, could be challenging if notices regarding deputies are not readily accessible. This potential lack of transparency may be viewed negatively by those advocating for open and clear governmental processes.
In summary, the "House Office of Legislative Counsel Modernization Act" proposes practical changes to internal legislative structures but also raises questions about the transparency and clarity of these adjustments. Balancing efficiency with openness will be crucial to ensure that both congressional stakeholders and the public feel informed and confident in the legislative process.
Issues
The designation of multiple Deputy Legislative Counsels, as described in Section 2, might create confusion over which Deputy Legislative Counsel is responsible for acting when multiple appointees exist. This issue is critical due to the potential impact on legislative processes and the clarity of counsel responsibilities, and it depends on a notice filed with the Speaker and Minority Leader, which might not be transparent or promptly accessible to the public.
While the short title in Section 1 is clear and straightforward, it does not provide information on specific provisions or implications of the bill, limiting public understanding. This could be a concern as citizens or stakeholders might not be fully aware of the bill's scope beyond its title.
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
This section states that the Act can be officially referred to as the “House Office of Legislative Counsel Modernization Act.”
2. Designation of multiple Deputy Legislative Counsels Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section updates the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 by allowing the Legislative Counsel to appoint multiple attorneys as Deputy Legislative Counsels. It specifies how responsibilities will be assigned if there is more than one Deputy, ensuring roles are clearly outlined in a notice to key House leaders.