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H.R. 5412 99th Congress House

Government Information Act of 1986

Official title: A bill to establish the Government Information Agency to enhance the economic, scientific, and technological position of the United States by acquiring, proces… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to establish the Government Information Agency to enhance the economic, scientific, and technological position of the United States by acquiring, processing, and distributing the fruits of federally-performed and federally-sponsored research, development, and analysis, to prescribe requirements relating to scientific and technical information used in the performance of contracts awarded by the Federal Government, and for other purposes.

Introduced: August 13, 1986 See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Communication in scienceCongress and Members of CongressCongressional agenciesCongressional joint committees
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Congressional oversightDefense contractsDepartment of CommerceDepartment of DefenseDepartment of EnergyDepository librariesEconomics and Public FinanceExecutive reorganizationGeneral Services AdministrationGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment publicationsGovernment publicityGovernment records, documents, and informationGovernment service contractsGovernment trust fundsInformation policyInformation servicesLibrariesNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationPrintingPublic Contracts, Procurement, and PropertyResearch and developmentRevolving fundsScience and technologyTechnology policyTechnology transfer
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 8 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 3, 1986
Referred to Subcommittee on Science Research and Technology.
Aug 15, 1986
Referred to Subcommittee on Procurement and Printing.
Aug 13, 1986
Referred to House Committee on Science and Technology.
Aug 13, 1986
Referred to House Committee on Rules.
Aug 13, 1986
Referred to House Committee on House Administration.
Aug 13, 1986
Referred to House Committee on Government Operations.
Aug 13, 1986
Referred to House Committee on Armed Services.
Aug 13, 1986
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 3, 1986

Referred to Subcommittee on Science Research and Technology.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Government Information Act of 1986 - Title I: Government Information Agency - Establishes the Government Information Agency to be headed by an Administrator and Deputy Administrator, both appointed by the President, by and with advice and consent of the Senate. Declares the mission of the Agency to enhance the economic, scientific, and technological position of the United States by acquiring, processing, and selling the results of federally-performed and federally-sponsored research, development, and analysis. Describes the functions of the Agency with respect to collecting and disseminating information. Requires the Agency to collect, maintain, and make available information on the results of foreign research, development, and analysis.

Establishes a revolving fund in the Treasury to provide working capital for the Agency.

Transfers the following functions to the Agency and the Administrator: (1) the National Technical Information Service of the Department of Commerce, including all functions of the Center for the Utilization of Federal Technology; (2) all functions of the Secretary of Defense which relate to the sale of Government information carried out through the Defense Technical Information Center; (3) all functions of the Secretary of Energy which relate to the sale of Government information carried out through the Office of Scientific and Technical Information; (4) all functions of the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration which relate to the sale of Government information carried out through the Scientific and Technical Facility; and (5) all functions of the Public Printer which relate to the sale of Government information carried out through bookstores.

Requires each Federal agency to provide to the Administrator a copy of all information developed or received by the Federal agency in connection with research, development, or analysis performed, sponsored, or contracted by that agency.

Sets forth administrative provisions for the Administrator and the Agency. Sets forth provisions regarding the transfer of personnel to the Agency.

Authorizes appropriations.

Title II: Scientific and Technical Information in Government Contracts - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and other Federal law relating to the Department of Defense to set forth requirements relating to scientific and technical information used in contract performance. Requires the contractor to: (1) demonstrate that an exhaustive review has been conducted on such information; and (2) submit such information in an electronic data form as prescribed by the head of an agency. Prohibits an agency from paying contractors for indexing, cataloging, or otherwise organizing the information.

Title III: Oversight - Establishes a Joint Committee on Government Information to have oversight responsibilities with respect to the Government Information Agency. Declares such joint committee to be non-legislative.

Revises the jurisdiction of the Joint Committee on Printing to declare that it does not include the sale of Government publications to the public.

Declares that the Joint Committee on the Library has oversight responsibility over the depository library program of the Public Printer.

 Committees of jurisdiction 6
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5412: Government Information Act of 1986. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-5412/
MLA
"H.R. 5412: Government Information Act of 1986." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-5412/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5412, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-5412/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5412: Government Information Act of 1986](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-5412/)
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