Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress Sunset Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2765
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T21:39:43Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 2765: Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress Sunset Act
Purpose
This bill aims to eliminate (or "sunset") the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress, which provides guidance on preserving congressional documents. It replaces the committee with new reporting and review requirements to ensure ongoing oversight of how these records are managed and maintained, promoting efficiency in government operations.
Key Provisions
- Sunset of the Advisory Committee: The committee is dissolved by removing Chapter 27 from Title 44 of the United States Code (a section of federal law governing public records), effective 60 days after the bill becomes law. This includes deleting related sections and table entries.
- Annual Reporting Requirement: Starting February 1 of the year following enactment, and every year after, the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives (part of the National Archives) must submit a report on the previous year's management and preservation of congressional records. The report goes to:
- The Archivist of the United States (head of the National Archives).
- The Secretary of the Senate.
- The Clerk of the House of Representatives.
- Relevant Senate committees (Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; Rules and Administration).
- Relevant House committees (Oversight and Government Reform; House Administration).
- Review Meetings: The Archivist, Secretary of the Senate, and Clerk of the House must meet to discuss the report within 60 days of its submission. They must also meet within 180 days whenever a new person assumes one of these roles.
- Definitions: The bill clarifies key terms, such as "Archivist" (leader of the National Archives), "Clerk" (House administrative officer), "Director" (head of the legislative archives center), and "Secretary" (Senate administrative officer).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Removes the entire framework for the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress (established under Chapter 27 of Title 44, U.S. Code), which previously advised on record-keeping practices.
- Introduces mandatory annual reports and structured review meetings as a direct replacement, shifting from advisory input to formalized accountability without an external committee.
- No other major alterations to broader record management laws, but it streamlines Title 44 by eliminating outdated provisions.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Reduces administrative burden on the National Archives and congressional offices by eliminating committee meetings and appointments, potentially saving time and resources. Ensures consistent oversight of congressional records (like bills, hearings, and votes) through reports, which could improve transparency in preservation efforts.
- Citizens: Minimal direct impact, but better-managed records could enhance public access to historical congressional materials via the National Archives, supporting research, education, and accountability.
- International Relations: No apparent effects, as the bill focuses on domestic record-keeping.
Main Stakeholders
- National Archives and Records Administration: Directly involved through the Archivist and Director, who handle reporting and reviews; they gain streamlined responsibilities but lose advisory support.
- Congressional Leadership: Senate Secretary, House Clerk, and specified committees must receive reports and participate in reviews, affecting their administrative workflows.
- Congressional Staff and Historians: Those managing records may see changes in oversight processes, potentially simplifying operations while maintaining preservation standards.
- Researchers and the Public: Indirectly benefit from ensured record integrity without active involvement.
Notable Implications
- Legal: Simplifies federal law by removing an obsolete advisory body, aligning with efforts to reduce redundant government entities. The new reporting mechanism strengthens compliance with existing record preservation laws (under Title 44) without creating new enforcement powers.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; it supports Article I responsibilities for Congress to maintain its records, ensuring historical accountability without infringing on legislative independence.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan efficiency (introduced by Senators Peters and Lankford from different parties), potentially setting a precedent for sunsetting underused committees to cut costs. Could face minimal controversy, as it maintains oversight to prevent loss of valuable historical documents.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-09-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress Sunset Act — issued 2025-09-10 — PDF (3 pages)