H.R. 4557: Bringing Executive Accountability, Clarity, and Oversight Now Act

This bill, known as the Bringing Executive Accountability, Clarity, and Oversight Now Act (or BEACON Act), proposes to amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 to establish a new Office of Inspector General (OIG) within the Executive Office of the President. The purpose of this office is to provide oversight and accountability for operations within the Executive Office.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of an Office: The bill amends the existing Inspector General Act to include the Executive Office of the President among entities that can have an Inspector General, thus formalizing oversight for that office.
• Appointment: The President is required to appoint an Inspector General for the Executive Office no later than 120 days after the bill becomes law.
• Authority and Control: The Inspector General will operate under the authority of the President regarding audits or investigations that involve sensitive information, such as the identities of confidential sources or national security matters. Therefore, the President has the power to prohibit the Inspector General from undertaking certain actions to protect classified information.

In such cases, the President must notify the Inspector General and provide reasons for any prohibitions within 30 days. The Inspector General is also required to relay this information to Congress.

Reporting Requirements

• Semiannual Reports: The Inspector General must prepare biannual reports outlining significant findings, recommending actions for improved efficiency, and describing any instances where the Inspector General could not access information due to presidential prohibitions.
• Transmission to Congress: These reports must also be submitted to specific congressional committees.

Audit Obligations

The Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency is tasked with auditing the new Office of Inspector General within 120 days of the appointment, and annually thereafter, to ensure effective oversight functions are being carried out.

Evaluations on Classification Policies

The Inspector General is also required to conduct two evaluations, in consultation with the Information Security Oversight Office, to assess the effectiveness of classification processes within the Executive Office. Reports on these evaluations must be submitted to relevant entities.

Technical Amendments

The bill includes several technical adjustments to align with the new provisions and update references in the law.

Impact on Classification Practices

With the establishment of this new oversight office, there is a focus on improving transparency and accountability concerning how information is classified, potentially addressing issues of over-classification.

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