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HR 9487

House Office of Legislative Counsel Modernization Act

118th Congress Introduced by Joe Morelle and 1 co-sponsor

Allows HOLC to appoint multiple Deputy Legislative Counsels and designate one deputy to lead during vacancy or absence, boosting continuity while preserving nonpartisan drafting.

Presented to President.
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Bill Summary · HR 9487

Summary — H.R. 9487: House Office of Legislative Counsel Modernization Act

Status: Presented to the President (Dec 27, 2024)
Introduced: Sep 6, 2024
Sponsor: Rep. Bryan Steil (primary); Cosponsor: Rep. Joseph D. Morelle
Committee: House Committee on House Administration — Reported favorably (H. Rept. 118‑678, Sept 16, 2024)

Purpose

H.R. 9487 amends provisions in the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to modernize succession and management within the House Office of Legislative Counsel (HOLC). Its primary aim is to improve operational continuity and staffing flexibility by allowing the Legislative Counsel to designate more than one attorney as a Deputy Legislative Counsel, and to permit one Deputy to perform leadership duties in cases of vacancy, disability, or absence.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes the Legislative Counsel of the House to designate more than one attorney in the Office of Legislative Counsel to hold the title of Deputy Legislative Counsel.
  • Allows the appointment or designation of one Deputy to perform the leadership functions of the Legislative Counsel during a vacancy, disability, or absence.
  • Leaves intact the Office’s statutory purposes (nonpartisan, confidential legislative drafting advice) and does not change the Office’s impartiality requirements or core duties.

Background and need

  • The HOLC provides nonpartisan drafting services to Members and committees. Its statutory structure traces to the Revenue Acts of 1918/1924 and was codified in the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970.
  • Committee report cites increased workload and drafting requests in recent Congresses and testimony from the Legislative Counsel supporting the need for greater leadership redundancy and managerial capacity.

Who is affected

  • Primary: attorneys and leadership within the House Office of Legislative Counsel (greater flexibility in senior staffing and succession).
  • Secondary: Members of the House and House committees that rely on HOLC drafting services (improved continuity and responsiveness).
  • No direct change to House appointment processes for the Legislative Counsel by the Speaker or to the Office’s nonpartisan mission.

Procedural history

  • Referred to House Administration: Sep 6, 2024; reported Sep 16, 2024 (H. Rept. 118‑678).
  • Passed the House under suspension of the rules: Dec 16, 2024 (voice vote).
  • Passed the Senate without amendment by unanimous consent: Dec 19, 2024.
  • Presented to the President: Dec 27, 2024.

Expected impact

Operational and managerial—provides HOLC with modest but important administrative flexibility to ensure uninterrupted leadership and better handle increased drafting demand. The bill does not expand or alter the substantive drafting role or the Office’s statutory impartiality.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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