Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB5312

Introduced
11/13/24  
Refer
11/13/24  

Caption

ORG CHART Act Organizing and Revealing the Government’s Construction, Hierarchies, Appointments, Responsibilities, and Tasks Act

Impact

The legislation is expected to create a more organized framework for how federal agencies report their internal structures. By providing consistent organizational charts, the act intends to facilitate the public's understanding of how various government functions are distributed among different offices. This can also aid in accountability, as clearer hierarchies make it easier to identify who is responsible for various government functions. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that no additional funds will be allocated for its implementation, relying on existing resources to carry out these changes.

Summary

SB5312, also known as the 'ORG CHART Act', aims to enhance the transparency and accountability of government agencies by requiring them to establish consistent organizational hierarchies. The bill mandates that heads of each agency create, maintain, and periodically update a diagram of their organizational structure, including hierarchies and relationships within the agency. This initiative is part of an effort to improve public access to information regarding the structure and functioning of government agencies.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment around SB5312 appears to be positive, with many lawmakers and advocacy groups supporting measures that promote government transparency and accountability. Stakeholders emphasize the importance of public access to organizational information as a means to foster trust and engagement between citizens and government institutions. However, there is also a cautionary perspective emphasizing the potential burden on agencies to comply with the new requirements, as it may divert time and personnel from their primary functions.

Contention

Discussion around SB5312 highlights tensions between necessary oversight and operational efficiency. Some members of Congress expressed concerns that while transparency is vital, imposing additional structured requirements could overwhelm agencies, especially those with limited resources. The bill's balancing act involves ensuring that the benefits of enhanced transparency do not come at the cost of agency effectiveness. Notable contention may arise from varying interpretations of what constitutes an adequate organizational hierarchy and the degree of detail required.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

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