For current Title 44 revision information, please refer to: Legislative Revisions to Title 44 U.S.C., Chapter 19: Depository Library Program
Revising Title 44 of the United States Code, particularly Chapter 19 as it relates to the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), has recently been the topic of major discussion.
Congressional Testimony
- February 6, 2017— Questions and Responses for the Record -- Priorities of the House Officers and Legislative Branch Entities for FY 2018 and Beyond
- February 6, 2017— Prepared Statement before the Committee on House Administration U.S. House of Representatives— Priorities of the House Officers and Legislative Branch Entities for FY 2018 and Beyond
- May 17, 2017— Questions and Responses for the Record -- Transforming GPO for the 21st Century and Beyond
- May 17, 2017— Prepared Statement before the Committee on House Administration, U.S. House of Representatives, On Transforming GPO for the 21st Century and Beyond
- July 18, 2017— Questions and Responses for the Record -- Transforming GPO for the 21st Century and Beyond: Part 2
- July 18, 2017— Remarks before the Committee on House Administration U.S. House of Representatives On Transforming GPO for the 21st Century and Beyond: Part 2
The GPO Director’s Charge to the Depository Library Council & Their Recommendations
In June 2017, then GPO Director Davita Vance-Cooks charged the Depository Library Council (DLC) with providing recommendations to modernize Title 44, Chapter 19 of the United States Code. The DLC was also asked to consult with the FDLP community to identify changes that would promote flexibility in meeting FDLP requirements while continuing to support the mission of Keeping America Informed. After incorporating input from the FDLP community, library associations, and other FDLP stakeholders, the DLC collaborated this summer on proposed recommendations to modify Title 44. On September 25, 2017, a proposal was submitted to Ms. Vance-Cooks.
Congressional Hearing on the FDLP: House Committee on Administration
On September 26, 2017, Superintendent of Documents Laurie Hall discussed the evolution of the FDLP before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on House Administration at the hearing, “Transforming GPO for the 21st Century and Beyond: Part 3 - The Federal Depository Library Program.” Following Ms. Hall’s testimony, a panel of FDLP community members and stakeholders also testified.
- September 26, 2017— Questions and Responses for the Record --Transforming GPO for the 21st Century and Beyond: Part 3 -- FDLP
- September 26, 2017— Prepared Statement Before the Committee on House Administration on GPO’s Federal Depository Library Program
Revised Title 44 Modernization Recommendations from the Depository Library Council
After the close of the 2017 DLC Meeting & FDL Conference, where much discussion took place on the modernization of Title 44, the DLC provided revised recommendations on the modernization of Title 44 to the GPO Director on October 30, 2017.
Draft Bill to Amend Title 44
On December 11, 2017, GPO received a draft bill to amend Title 44, U.S.C. from the Committee on House Administration.
DLC’s Comments on Draft Title 44 Bill
On January 8, 2018, the DLC released their comments on the Title 44 draft bill.
GPO’s Comments on Draft Title 44 Bill
On January 31, 2018, GPO sent “Comments on Draft Legislation to Amend Title 44, U.S.C. (December 11, 2017 version)” to the Committee on House Administration.
GPO’s Comments on Draft Title 44 Bill (2)
On February 27, 2018, GPO sent “Comments on Draft Legislation to Amend Title 44, U.S.C. (February 22, 2018 version)” to the Committee on House Administration.
Introduced Legislation
On March 15, 2018, the House filed H.R. 5305 IH, the FDLP Modernization Act of 2018.
Letter of Support
On March 16, 2018, the American Library Association, the American Association of Law Libraries, and the Association of Research Libraries co-signed a letter of support for H.R. 5305.
DLC Support for H.R. 5305
On March 26, 2018, the DLC sent a letter of support for H.R. 5305 to Acting GPO Deputy Director, Andrew Sherman.
GPO Statement on H.R. 5305
On March 28, 2018, the GPO published a statement on H.R. 5305, the FDLP Modernization Act of 2018.
Markup of H.R. 5305
On April 11, 2018, amendments to H.R. 5305 were made available by the Committee on House Administration.
Committee Business Meeting: H.R. 5305
On April 12, 2018, the House Committee on Administration held a Committee Business Meeting where they discussed H.R. 5305.
CHA Press Release
On April 12, 2018, the House Committee on Administration issued the press release, Modernizing Fundamental Public Access to Government Information.
CBO Scoring
On May 25, 2018, the Congressional Budget Office released the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 5305 FDLP Modernization Act of 2018, as ordered by the Committee on House Administration on April 12, 2018.
ALA Resolution: FDLP Modernization Act
On June 24, 2018, the American Library Association Council of the 2018 ALA Annual Conference produced, ‘A Resolution Recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the GPO Access Act and Calling for the Enactment of the FDLP Modernization Act.’
Other Title 44 Resources:
- 2017 DLC Meeting & FDL Conference: Title 44 Reform sessions, recorded archives (October 2017)
- FDLP Virtual Meeting on Regional Issues, recorded archive (February 2018)
GPO will continue to keep the FDLP community updated as any developments progress. To provide feedback on anything related to Title 44 modernization, please reach out to askGPO.