Commending the Honorable Henry Lessner for his service as mayor of Fairview.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Candy Noble

The bill requires a Secretary of State report within 180 days assessing whether the Conflict and Stabilization Operations Bureau should be kept, dissolved, or restructured, with co

Reported enrolled

#lessner #henry(no0ox) #resolutions--congratulatory&honorary(i0705)

Summary — H.R. 1516 (Intro. Feb 24, 2025) — Report requirement on Conflict and Stabilization Operations Bureau

Note on inconsistency: the bill record shows a title and classification that appear to be a congratulatory resolution for “The Honorable Henry Lessner,” but the text provided and the operative provisions establish a requirement for a Department of State report on the Conflict and Stabilization Operations Bureau. This summary focuses on the bill text as provided.

Purpose and intent

H.R. 1516 directs the Secretary of State to produce a comprehensive report assessing whether the Department of State’s Conflict and Stabilization Operations Bureau (the “Bureau”) should be maintained, describing its unique functions, estimating costs and savings associated with possible dissolution, and outlining how any functions or personnel would be absorbed by other State Department bureaus. The intent is oversight and to inform congressional decision‑making about the Bureau’s future structure and funding.

Key provisions

Reporting requirement: The Secretary of State must submit the report to specified congressional committees no more than 180 days after the bill’s passage.

Required content of the report:

A bottom‑line assessment on whether the Bureau should be maintained.
An explanation of the unique function(s) the Bureau serves.
A cost analysis that includes:
- Potential costs related to dissolving the Bureau.
- Potential immediate and long‑term savings from dissolution.
A plan identifying which functions and/or personnel (if any) of the Bureau would be absorbed by other Department of State bureaus.

Definition of recipients: “Appropriate congressional committees” are defined as the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Who is affected

Department of State, specifically the Conflict and Stabilization Operations Bureau (lead subject), and other State Department bureaus that might absorb functions or staff.

Congressional oversight committees (House Foreign Affairs; Senate Foreign Relations) as report recipients.

Potential downstream impacts on programs, staffing, and budgeting tied to the Bureau’s missions.

Procedural/timeline notes

Report due within 180 days after the bill becomes law (i.e., after passage and enactment).

Legislative actions on record: Introduced Feb 24, 2025; referred to House Committee on Foreign Affairs; placed on Local & Consent Calendars; filed and adopted in the House; rules suspended; reported enrolled (June 3, 2025).

Sponsor: Rep. James R. Baird (primary).

Potential implications

The mandated report would produce an evidence base to guide Congress on retaining, restructuring, or dissolving the Bureau. Depending on findings, consequences could include reorganizing Bureau functions into other State Department entities, personnel reassignments, changes to budget allocations, or legislative proposals to implement recommended changes.