S. 5167Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Government Audit and Accountability of Federally Funded State-Administered Programs Act

Sponsored by Andy KimSen. Andy Kim (D-NJ)
Introduced July 29, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated August 4, 2026 at 6:23 AM UTC

The bill directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to evaluate how federal money that states and local governments manage is at risk of waste, fraud, abuse, or improper payments. Within two years of the law’s passage and on a regular basis thereafter, GAO must report to Congress on the program areas and administrative practices that pose the greatest integrity risks and suggest ways to improve them. The goal is to strengthen oversight of federally funded state‑administered programs and protect taxpayer dollars.

Key Provisions

  • GAO must prepare and submit an assessment to Congress no later than two years after enactment, and then periodically, covering the biggest integrity risks in state‑ and local‑administered federal programs.
  • The assessment must identify systematic vulnerabilities, evaluate evidence‑based best practices, and judge which practices have been effective or ineffective at reducing waste, fraud, and abuse.
  • It must outline federal tools, resources, and technical assistance available to states and localities, and recommend improvements to those tools and to eligibility and enrollment processes.
  • GAO should rely on existing audit, oversight, and investigative materials (e.g., findings from auditors, inspectors general, and required audits) and may add new analysis or audits if needed.
  • The Comptroller General decides the format and methodology for each assessment.

Legislative Activity

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SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

July 29, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

July 29, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

July 29, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in SenateIssued July 29, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 5167

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 29, 2026

Mr. Kim (for himself and Mr. Hawley) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

A BILL

To require an assessment of program areas and administrative practices presenting the greatest risk to the integrity of Federal funds administered by States and local governments.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Government Audit and Accountability of Federally Funded State-Administered Programs Act.

2.

Federally-funded State-administered programs vulnerability assessment

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Improper payment

The term improper payment has the meaning given the term in section 3351 of title 31, United States Code.

(2)

State

The term State has the meaning given the term in section 6720(a) of title 31, United States Code.

(b)

Assessment

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress an assessment of program areas and administrative practices that present the greatest risk to the integrity of Federal funds administered by State and local governments and pass-through entities subject to audit under chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code.

(c)

Contents

Each assessment required under subsection (b) shall—

(1)

identify program areas and administrative practices at the Federal, State, and local level that present systematic vulnerabilities in the administration of Federal funds by State and local governments, including practices that are more susceptible to waste, fraud, abuse, and improper payments;

(2)

assess evidence-based best practices and strategies that have strengthened the integrity of Federal funds administered by State and local governments and reduced waste, fraud, and abuse in Federally funded programs;

(3)

assess program areas and administrative practices at the Federal, State, and local level that—

(A)

have demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating waste, fraud, abuse, and improper payments; or

(B)

have shown limited effectiveness in reducing such risks;

(4)

identify Federal tools, resources, and technical assistance available to State and local governments and how such tools may be improved to prevent and mitigate the systemic vulnerabilities identified under paragraph (1); and

(5)

include recommendations to Federal agencies and matters for consideration to Congress to address and improve the program areas and administrative practices identified under paragraph (1), including recommendations to improve eligibility determination and enrollment processes to mitigate risks.

(d)

Sources

(1)

Audit and related materials

In carrying out the preparation of the assessment under subsection (b), the Comptroller General of the United States shall rely, to the extent practicable, on existing oversight, audit, and investigative materials to conduct an analysis of Federal funds administrated by State and local governments, which may include—

(A)

any finding of a Federal, State, or local auditor, comptroller, treasurer, inspector general, attorney general, or any other similar official with respect to the administration of such funds;

(B)

any audit required under section 7502 of title 31, United States Code; and

(C)

any other publicly available Federal, State, or local oversight and program integrity data.

(2)

Additional materials

In preparing each assessment required under subsection (b), the Comptroller General of the United States may supplement the materials described in paragraph (1) with additional analysis and new audit work, including by drawing on prior and ongoing work, where such materials are insufficient to assess the program areas and administrative practices identified under subsection (c)(1).

(e)

Form and methodology

The Comptroller General of the United States shall determine the appropriate form and methodology for preparing and submitting each assessment required under subsection (b).