S. 1792 – Reading Mode

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1792

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

December 10, 2013

Mrs. Fischer (for herself and Mr. Manchin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

A BILL

To close out expired, empty grant accounts.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act or the GONE Act.

Identifying and closing out expired, empty grant accounts

(a)

Inspectors General report

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall submit to Congress and the head of each agency a report that—

(A)

lists each covered grant account held by the United States Government;

(B)

recommends which of the covered grant accounts described in subparagraph (A) should be immediately closed; and

(C)

for each covered grant account that has been expired for more than 90 days, explains why the covered grant account has not been closed out.

(2)

Consideration

In determining which grant accounts held by the United States Government are covered grant accounts, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall compare the information made available in the cash payment management system and the grants program management database to ensure that grant accounts for grant awards that are not expired are not listed under paragraph (1)(A).

(b)

Closure of accounts required; notice

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the report is submitted under subsection (a), the head of each agency with a covered grant account recommended for closure in the report described in subsection (a) shall close out each expired grant award associated with each covered grant account that is managed by the agency.

(2)

Notice from agencies

Not later than 90 days after the date on which the 180-day period described in paragraph (1) ends, the head of each agency required to close a covered grant account under paragraph (1) shall provide notice the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency specifying whether the head of the agency has closed out grant awards associated with all of the covered grant accounts required to be closed under paragraph (1).

(3)

Notice to Congress

Not later than 90 days after the date on which the 90-day period described in paragraph (2) ends, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall submit to Congress and the committees of jurisdiction a report on the status of all the covered grant accounts required to be closed under paragraph (1).

(c)

Definitions

In this section—

(1)

the term agency has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code; and

(2)

the term covered grant account means a grant account in a Federal agency payment management system held by the United States Government that has a zero balance for more than 180 days and for which the grant award period has expired.