H.R. 9278 – Presidential Records Certification Act of 2022

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 6:16 PM UTC

The Presidential Records Certification Act of 2022 amends the Presidential Records Act to require the President, Vice President, any acting President, and designated staff members to submit an annual written certification that they have complied with record‑keeping rules. The certifications are sent to the Counsel to the President, who must keep them, and false or missing filings can lead to civil lawsuits with penalties up to $50,000. This law applies to the top executive officials and covered employees who handle presidential records.

Key Provisions

Requires the President, Vice President, any acting President, and each covered employee to submit a written certification each year, within 30 days after the end of the relevant term or employment period
Certification must confirm compliance with the Presidential Records Act and acknowledge that falsifying or failing to file is illegal
The Counsel to the President must collect and maintain all submitted certifications
The Attorney General may file a civil action against anyone who knowingly falsifies or fails to file a certification, with courts able to impose civil penalties up to $50,000
Provides definitions for “covered employee,” “end date,” and “individual acting as the President” to clarify who must certify

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

November 7, 2022

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 7, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

November 7, 2022

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode

Raw Text PDF XML

Introduced in HouseIssued November 7, 2022

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9278

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 7, 2022

Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform

A BILL

To amend chapter 22 of title 44, United States Code, to require certifications regarding certain Presidential and Vice Presidential Records, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Presidential Records Certification Act of 2022.

2.

Certifications regarding certain Presidential and Vice Presidential records

(a)

Amendment

Chapter 22 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

2210.

Certifications regarding certain Presidential and Vice Presidential records

(a)

Certification

On an annual basis, and within 30 days after the applicable end date, the President, Vice President, any individual acting as the President, and each covered employee shall submit a written certification to the Counsel to the President—

(1)

indicating compliance with this chapter during the year prior to the submission of the certification; and

(2)

acknowledging that it is unlawful to knowingly and willingly falsify or fail to file any information that such person is required to include in the certification.

(b)

Submission

The Counsel to the President shall collect and maintain all certifications submitted to the Counsel under subsection (a).

(c)

Failure To file or filing false reports

The Attorney General may bring a civil action in any appropriate United States district court against an individual who knowingly and willfully falsifies or who knowingly and willfully fails to file or report any information required pursuant to subsection (a). The court in which such action is brought may assess against such individual a civil penalty in any amount, not to exceed $50,000.

(d)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Covered employee

The term covered employee has the meaning given that term in section 2209.

(2)

End date

The term end date means—

(A)

with respect to the President or the Vice President, the date on which the President or the Vice President, respectively, is removed from office, dies, resigns, or the then current Presidential term expires;

(B)

with respect to an individual acting as the President, the date on which such individual may no longer discharge the powers and duties of the office of President; and

(C)

with respect to a covered employee, the date on which such individual ceases to be a covered employee.

(3)

Individual acting as the President

The term individual acting as the President means an individual, other than the Vice President, who assumes the powers and duties of the office of President pursuant to a vacancy in the office of President by reason of death, resignation, removal from office, or inability.

.

(b)

Conforming amendment

The table of sections for chapter 22 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

2210. Certifications regarding certain Presidential and Vice Presidential records.

.