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H.R. 9602: Less Bureaucracy, Better International Foreign Gift Transparency Act

119th Congress · introduced 2026-07-09 · Education · Latest: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 16.

federal

What does this mean?

Official title

Less Bureaucracy, Better International Foreign Gift Transparency Act

Plain summary

Less Bureaucracy, Better International Foreign Gift Transparency Act This bill transfers specified functions relating to disclosure of foreign gifts and contracts from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of State. Specifically, the bill transfers to the State Department all the functions and authorities exercised by ED before the bill's effective date related to disclosure of foreign gifts and contracts. (Institutions of higher education must disclose to ED a gift from or contract with a foreign source that is valued at $250,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts from or contracts with that foreign source. On February 23, 2026, ED announced an interagency agreement with the State Department for the State Department to provide support for managing the reporting portal, while ED must maintain its statutory responsibilities and program oversight.) Additionally, the bill transfers to the State Department all personnel and appropriations related to the functions that are transferred under this bill. The bill outlines the authority of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to the functions that are transferred under this bill, including that OMB must ensure that this bill does not create a net increase in full-time equivalent employees at the State Department or ED. Further, OMB must certify compliance with the bill to specified congressional committees. The transfer of these functions does not affect any suits, proceedings, or applications for benefits, services, licenses, permits, certificates, or financial assistance that are pending on the date of this bill's effective date.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Less Bureaucracy, Better International Foreign Gift Transparency Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5] · 1 cosponsors

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Words on this page, explained (3)
Appropriation
Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Statute
A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong119-hr9602 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong119 · updated 2026-11-03 by psicol fed-bills