September 10, 2025
Mr. Lawler introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To provide for the management authorities of the Department of State.
Section 1. Definitions
In this Act—
(1)
the term appropriate congressional committees means—
(A)
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
(B)
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2)
the term consular services means—
(A)
the adjudication and issuance of visas;
(B)
the performance of notarial and other legalization functions; the adjudication of passport applications; the adjudication of nationality;
(C)
the issuance of citizenship documentation; and
(D)
the protection and welfare of United States citizens abroad as permitted by law;
(3)
the term Department means the Department of State; and
(4)
the term Secretary means the Secretary of State.
Title II Management
Subtitle A Under Secretary for Management
Sec. 201. Under Secretary for Management
(a) Establishment
There shall be in the Department an Under Secretary of State for Management who shall be responsible to the Secretary for matters pertaining to the management and administration of the Department, including management integration and transformation in support of foreign operations and programs, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities
In addition to the responsibilities described in subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Management shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to the management, development, and administration of the Department in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—
(1)
acquisitions and asset management;
(2)
human resources and personnel management;
(3)
matters related to the clinical, occupational, and mental health programs of the Department;
(4)
information technology and communications systems, including policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department;
(5)
domestic and overseas facilities, property, equipment, vehicle fleets, and other material resources;
(6)
security for personnel, information technology and communications systems, facilities, property, equipment, and other material resources; and
(7)
consular affairs and services.
(c) Protection of historic and artistic furnishings of reception areas of the Harry S. Truman Federal Building
(1) In general
The Under Secretary for Management shall administer the historic and artistic articles of furniture, fixtures, and decorative objects of the reception areas of the Department by such means and measures as conform to the purposes of the reception areas, which include conserving those articles, fixtures, and objects and providing for their enjoyment in such manner and by such means as will leave them for the use of the American people. Nothing shall be done under this paragraph which conflicts with the administration of the Department or with the use of the reception areas for official purposes of the United States Government.
(2) Disposition of historic and artistic items
(A) Items covered
Articles of furniture, fixtures, and decorative objects of the reception areas (and similar articles, fixtures, and objects acquired by the Secretary), when declared by the Secretary to be of historic or artistic interest, shall thereafter be considered to be the property of the Secretary in the Secretary’s official capacity and shall be subject to disposition solely in accordance with this paragraph.
(B) Sale or trade
Whenever the Under Secretary for Management determines that—
(i)
any item described in subparagraph (A) is no longer needed for use or display in the reception areas, or
(ii)
in order to upgrade the reception areas, a better use of that article would be its sale or exchange,
the Under Secretary may, with the advice and concurrence of the Secretary and Director of the National Gallery of Art, sell the item at fair market value or trade it, without regard to the requirements of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949. The proceeds of any such sale may be credited to the unconditional gift account of the Department, and items obtained in trade shall be the property of the Secretary under this paragraph.
(C) Smithsonian Institution
The Under Secretary for Management may also lend items described in subparagraph (A), when not needed for use or display in the reception areas, to the Smithsonian Institution or a similar institution for care, repair, study, storage, or exhibition.
(3) Definition
In this subsection, the term reception areas means the areas of the Harry S. Truman Federal Building, located at 2201 C Street, Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia, known as the Diplomatic Reception Rooms (eighth floor), the Secretary’s offices (seventh floor), the Deputy Secretary of State’s offices (seventh floor), and the seventh floor reception area.
Sec. 202. Office of Medical Services
There shall be in the Department a Chief Medical Officer, to be appointed by the Secretary, who shall lead the Office of Medical Services and shall be responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for matters pertaining to the clinical and mental health programs of the Department, in accordance with the needs of the Department and at the direction of the Secretary, and all related activities as prescribed in section 904 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4048).
Sec. 203. Authorization of appropriations
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary under section 131, the Under Secretary for Management shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill the Under Secretary’s responsibilities for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Subtitle B Administration
Sec. 211. Assistant Secretary for Administration
(a) Establishment
There is authorized to be in the Department an Assistant Secretary for Administration who shall be responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for matters pertaining to enterprise logistics, knowledge management, acquisition, and other operational services worldwide in support of United States foreign policy, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities
In addition to the responsibilities described in subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary for Administration shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to administrative matters of the Department in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—
(1)
providing global logistics support for the people and programs of United States diplomacy;
(2)
managing the Department’s domestic safety, occupational health, and multimedia services;
(3)
developing and coordinating policies, regulations, standards, and procedures to administer government-wide allowances;
(4)
providing planning, training, and exercises of emergency management to ensure preparedness for the Department’s leadership and workforce to respond to and recover from all domestic hazards affecting the Department and to ensure the continuation of the Department’s mission in conjunction with United States partners;
(5)
overseeing global publishing by providing design, print, and copier management services to the Department domestically and overseas;
(6)
advancing United States security and prosperity by providing foreign language support for the Department, the Executive Office of the President, and all other Federal entities;
(7)
promoting quality educational opportunities at the elementary and secondary level for dependents of United States citizens carrying out the programs of the United States Government abroad;
(8)
ensuring the Department safeguards privacy and promotes transparency through compliance, advice, training, collaboration and records management; and
(9)
performing such other duties as the Under Secretary for Management may from time to time designate.
Sec. 212. Bureau of Administration
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of Administration, which shall perform such functions related to support programs for the Department and United States embassies and consulates, including enterprise logistics, knowledge management, and other worldwide operational services, as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head
The Assistant Secretary for Administration shall be at the head of the Bureau of Administration.
(c) Directorates
The Secretary may establish in the Bureau of Administration directorates to perform relevant functions such as—
(1)
Global Operations; and
(2)
Shared Knowledge Services.
Sec. 213. Office of the Historian
There shall be in the Bureau of Administration a Historian of the Department of State, who shall lead the Office of the Historian.
Sec. 214. Authorization of appropriations
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management under section 202, the Assistant Secretary for Administration shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau functions and the Assistant Secretary’s responsibilities for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Subtitle C Diplomatic Technology
Sec. 221. Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology
(a) Establishment
There is authorized to be in the Department a Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology who shall be responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for matters pertaining to the information technology, cybersecurity workforce, and digital infrastructure of the Department, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities
In addition to the responsibilities described in subsection (a), the Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to diplomatic technology in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—
(1)
enterprise planning and governance;
(2)
cybersecurity and risk management;
(3)
technology operations and innovation;
(4)
customer experience; and
(5)
such other related duties as the Under Secretary for Management may from time to time designate.
Sec. 222. Bureau of Diplomatic Technology
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of Diplomatic Technology, which shall perform such functions related to the planning, acquisition, governance, security, integration, modernization, and oversight of the Department’s information technology, systems, and communications infrastructure, as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head
The Chief Information Officer shall be the head of the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology.
Sec. 223. Authorization of appropriations
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management under section 202, the Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau functions and the Chief Information Officer’s responsibilities for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Subtitle D Consular affairs
Sec. 231. Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs responsibilities
The Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to consular functions in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—
(1)
formulating and implementing policy relating to immigration, provision of consular services, and determination of United States citizenship;
(2)
developing, revising, implementing, and directing policies, procedures, and regulations relating to functions of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, including—
(A)
the adjudication and issuance of passports, visas, and related services;
(B)
the protection and welfare of United States citizens and interests abroad;
(C)
the provision of third-country representation; and
(D)
the determination of United States citizenship or nationality;
(3)
providing guidance and recommendations on related consular issues to Department principals and United States embassies and consulates;
(4)
ensuring responsive and efficient provision of consular services in the United States and overseas;
(5)
overseeing and directing the Passport Office and Visa Office;
(6)
maintaining the integrity and security of official consular documentation issued by the Department, in collaboration with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security; and
(7)
performing such other related duties as the Under Secretary for Management may from time to time designate.
Sec. 232. Bureau of Consular Affairs
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of Consular Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to consular functions performed by United States consular officers, as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head
The Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Sec. 233. Authorization of appropriations
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management under section 202, the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau functions and the Assistant Secretary’s responsibilities for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Sec. 234. Closing of consular and diplomatic posts abroad
(a) Prohibited uses of funds
Except as provided in subsection (d) or in accordance with the procedures in subsections (b) and (c)—
(1)
no funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department shall be available to pay any expense related to the closing of any United States consular or diplomatic post abroad; and
(2)
no funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department may be used to pay for any expense related to the Bureau of Administration or to carrying out any of its functions if any United States consular or diplomatic post is closed.
(b) Post-Closing notification
Not less than 45 days before the closing of any United States consular or diplomatic post abroad, the Under Secretary for Management, in consultation with the Secretary, shall notify the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
(c) Reprogramming treatment
Amounts made available to pay any expense related to the closing of a United States consular or diplomatic post abroad shall be treated as a reprogramming of funds under section 34 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2706) and shall not be available for obligation or expenditure except in compliance with the procedures applicable to such reprogramming.
(d) Exceptions
The provisions of this section do not apply with respect to—
(1)
any post closed because of a break or downgrading of diplomatic relations between the United States and the country in which the post is located; or
(2)
any post closed because there is a real and present threat to United States diplomatic or consular personnel in the city where the post is located, and a travel advisory warning against travel by United States citizens to that city has been issued by the Department.
(e) Definition
As used in this section, the term consular or diplomatic post does not include a post to which only personnel of agencies other than the Department are assigned.
Sec. 235. Consular fees
(a) In general
The second sentence of section 1(b)(1) of the Passport Act of June 4, 1920 (22 U.S.C. 214(b)(1)) shall be applied through fiscal years 2026 and 2027 by substituting the costs of providing consular services
for such costs
.
(b) Use of passport and immigrant visa surcharges
Notwithstanding section 6(b) of the Department of State Authorities Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-–472; 120 Stat. 3556), during fiscal years 2026 and 2027, passport and immigrant visa surcharges collected in any fiscal year pursuant to the fourth paragraph under the heading Diplomatic and Consular Programs
in the Department of State and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2005 (title IV of division B of Public Law 108–447; 8 U.S.C. 1714) may be obligated and expended for the costs of providing consular services: Provided, That such funds should be prioritized for United States citizen services: Provided further, That not later than 90 days after the expiration of this authority, the Secretary shall provide a report to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives detailing the specific expenditures made pursuant to this authority: Provided further, That the amount provided by this section is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
(c) Use of available discretionary amounts and unobligated balances
Discretionary amounts made available to the Department of State under the heading Administration of Foreign Affairs
of Acts making appropriations for National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and discretionary unobligated balances under such heading from Acts making such appropriations for prior fiscal years, may be transferred to the Consular and Border Security Programs account if the Secretary determines and reports to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that to do so is necessary to sustain consular operations, following consultation with such Committees: Provided, That such transfer authority is in addition to any transfer authority otherwise available in this Act and under any other provision of law: Provided further, That no amounts may be transferred from amounts designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
(d) Use of Fraud Prevention and Detection Account fees
In addition to the uses permitted pursuant to section 286(v)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(v)(2)(A)), for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, the Secretary may also use fees deposited into the Fraud Prevention and Detection Account for the costs of providing consular services.
(e) Emergency requirement
Amounts provided pursuant to subsection (b) that were previously designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or a concurrent resolution on the budget are designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Sec. 236. Extension of special hiring authority for passport services
Section 6101 of the Department of State Authorization Act of 2023 (22 U.S.C. 211a note) is amended by striking 3-year period
and inserting 5-year period
.
Sec. 237. Coordination with other Federal departments and agencies
(a) Authority To access information
The Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department is hereby authorized to access, obtain, and use information maintained by any Federal department or agency that is relevant to the adjudication of applications for United States passports or visas, for the purpose of verifying applicant eligibility, detecting fraud, identifying national security or law enforcement concerns, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
(b) Interagency agreements
The Secretary may enter into memoranda of understanding or other agreements with the heads of Federal departments and agencies to facilitate the timely and secure exchange of information under this section, including access to information concerning active or ongoing investigations, consistent with applicable laws governing the handling of sensitive or classified information.
(c) Privacy and security
The Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department shall implement appropriate safeguards to ensure that any information accessed under this section is handled in accordance with applicable laws governing the protection of personal information.
(d) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize the collection of new categories of information or the use of information for purposes unrelated to passport or visa adjudication, anti-fraud, or national security screening.
Sec. 238. Modernization and realignment of consular systems
(a) Purpose
The purpose of this section is to—
(1)
align consular information systems modernization with enterprise-wide information technology strategy and cybersecurity policies;
(2)
improve integration, reduce redundancy, and enhance efficiency across Department-wide systems; and
(3)
ensure that consular systems benefit from unified management, architecture, and modernization oversight under the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Department.
(b) Transfer of the Office of Consular Systems and Technology
(1) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transfer the Office of Consular Systems and Technology from the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department to the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology of the Department.
(2) Reporting and operation
Upon transfer, the Office of Consular Systems and Technology shall report directly to the CIO of the Department and operate under the jurisdiction, oversight, and management of the CIO.
(3) Functions, assets, and personnel
The functions, assets, and personnel of the Office of Consular Systems and Technology shall be transferred under this subsection without interruption to ensure continuity of operations in support of consular services, including passport and visa systems.
(c) Transition plan and reporting
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, in consultation with the Chief Information Officer, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed transition plan for the implementation of subsection (b), including—
(1)
a timeline for the transfer;
(2)
an organizational chart showing pre- and post-transfer structures;
(3)
any personnel or budgetary changes; and
(4)
measures to ensure continuity of consular services during the transition.
Subtitle E Diplomatic security
Sec. 241. Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security
(a) Establishment
There is authorized to be in the Department an Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security who shall be responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for matters pertaining to the management, direction, and strategic execution of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities
In addition to the responsibilities described in subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to diplomatic security in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—
(1)
protective operations and law enforcement;
(2)
security programs and emergency planning;
(3)
investigations and counterintelligence;
(4)
training, policy, and diplomatic engagement;
(5)
any authority of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4801 et seq.) delegated to the Assistant Secretary at the discretion of the Secretary; and
(6)
performing such other related duties as the Under Secretary for Management may from time to time designate.
Sec. 242. Bureau of Diplomatic Security
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of Diplomatic Security, which shall perform such functions related to—
(1)
protection of United States diplomatic personnel and facilities;
(2)
the prevention and investigation of security threats;
(3)
the implementation of technical, physical, and cybersecurity programs;
(4)
the management of emergency preparedness and threat analysis; and
(5)
the advancement of United States security partnerships abroad as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head
The Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security shall be the head of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
Sec. 243. Authorization of appropriations
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management under section 202, the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau functions and the Assistant Secretary’s responsibilities for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Sec. 244. Role of Regional Security Officers as principal security and lead law enforcement representatives at overseas missions
Section 103(a)(1)(A) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4802(a)(1)(A)) is amended by adding at the end before the semicolon the following: , including by acting through appropriate personnel, such as Diplomatic Security special agents assigned as Regional Security Officers, as the principal security and lead law enforcement representatives to Chiefs of Mission and the Secretary of State for purposes of directing executive branch personnel assigned overseas under Chief of Mission authority
.
Sec. 245. Special agents
(a) General authority
Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, special agents of the Department and the Foreign Service may—
(1)
conduct investigations concerning—
(A)
illegal passport or visa issuance or use;
(B)
identity theft or document fraud affecting or relating to the programs, functions, or authorities of the Department;
(C)
transnational violations of chapter 77 of title 18, United States Code, in which any part of the offense conduct occurred outside the United States or involved one or more foreign nationals; or
(D)
Federal offenses committed within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in section 7(9) of title 18, United States Code), except as such jurisdiction relates to the premises of United States military missions and related residences;
(2)
obtain and execute search and arrest warrants, as well as obtain and serve subpoenas and summonses issued under the authority of the United States;
(3)
protect and perform protective functions directly related to maintaining the security and safety of—
(A)
heads of a foreign state, official representatives of a foreign government, and other distinguished visitors to the United States, while in the United States;
(B)
the Secretary, Deputy Secretary of State, and official representatives of the United States Government, in the United States or abroad;
(C)
members of the immediate family of persons described in subparagraph (A) or (B);
(D)
foreign missions (as defined in section 202 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 4302) and international organizations (as defined in section 209(b) of such Act)), in the United States;
(E)
a departing Secretary for a period of up to 180 days after the date of termination of that individual’s incumbency as Secretary, on the basis of a threat assessment; and
(F)
an individual who has been designated by the President or President-elect to serve as Secretary, prior to that individual’s appointment;
(4)
if designated by the Secretary and qualified, under regulations approved by the Attorney General, for the use of firearms, carry firearms for the purpose of performing the duties authorized by this section; and
(5)
make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony.
(b) Agreements with attorney general and secretary of the treasury and firearms regulations
(1) Agreement with Attorney General
The authority conferred by paragraphs (1) and (4) of subsection (a) shall be exercised subject to an agreement between the Secretary and the Attorney General.
(2) Agreement with Attorney General and Secretary of the Treasury
The authority conferred by paragraphs (2) and (5) of subsection (a) shall be exercised subject to an agreement among the Secretary, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of the Treasury.
(3) Firearms Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations, which shall be approved by the Attorney General, with respect to the carrying and use of firearms by special agents under this section.
(c) Rule of construction
(1) In general
Nothing in subsection (a)(3) may be construed to preclude or limit in any way the authority of the United States Secret Service to provide protective services pursuant to section 3056 or 3056A of title 18, United States Code, at a level commensurate with protective requirements as determined by the United States Secret Service.
(2) Interagency agreement
The Secretary, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of the Treasury shall enter into an interagency agreement with respect to their law enforcement functions.
Sec. 246. Modification of congressional notification requirement relating to embassy reopening
Section 105(b)(2) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4804(b)(2)) is amended by inserting , detailing the national security value of reopening such post
after the decision to open or reopen such post
.
Sec. 247. Counter-intelligence training for certain diplomatic security agents
(a) In general
Title IV of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4851 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
418. Counter-intelligence training for certain Diplomatic Security special agents
Diplomatic Security special agents who are assigned to positions with a primary counterintelligence role or a diplomatic post rated as High or Critical for Human Intelligence on the Department of State’s Security Environment Threat List shall receive specific and substantive mandatory counter-intelligence training.
(b) Clerical amendment
The table of contents of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (Public Law 99–399) is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the following:
Sec. 248. Expansion of counter-intelligence personnel security program to include non-security staff
Section 155(a) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, 1988 and 1989 (Public Law 100–204; 22 U.S.C. 4802 note) is amended by striking high intelligence threat countries who are responsible for security at those posts
and inserting critical human intelligence threat countries and countries designated by the Under Secretary of State for Management
.
Subtitle F Asset management
Sec. 251. Assistant Secretary for Asset Management
(a) Establishment
There is authorized to be in the Department an Assistant Secretary for Asset Management who shall be responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for matters pertaining to real property, operations and maintenance, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities
In addition to the responsibilities described in subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary for Asset Management shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to United States assets abroad and foreign assets within the United States in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—
(1)
planning, acquisition, design, construction, maintenance, and disposal of United States diplomatic facilities abroad;
(2)
regulation and facilitation of foreign missions’ real property within the United States;
(3)
management, maintenance, renovation, and disposal of Department-owned or leased facilities within the United States;
(4)
any authority under title II of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.; relating to authorities relating to the regulation of foreign missions) delegated to the Assistant Secretary at the discretion of the Secretary;
(5)
any authority of the Foreign Service Buildings Act of 1926 (22 U.S.C. 292 et seq.) delegated to the Assistant Secretary at the discretion of the Secretary; and
(6)
such other related duties as the Under Secretary for Management may from time to time designate.
Sec. 252. Bureau of Asset Management
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of Asset Management, which shall perform such functions related to management of real property and assets of the Department, and foreign missions within the United States, as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head
The Assistant Secretary for Asset Management shall be the head of the Bureau of Asset Management.
(c) Directorates
In the Bureau of Asset Management there may be three directorates to administer the following duties:
(1)
Overseas Building Operations.
(2)
Office of Foreign Missions.
(3)
Office of Domestic Operations and Emergency Services.
Sec. 253. Authorization of appropriations
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management under section 202, the Assistant Secretary for Asset Management shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau functions and the Assistant Secretary’s responsibilities for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Sec. 254. Property of foreign missions
(a) Acquisition, sale, or other disposition of real property
(1) In general
The Under Secretary for Management, in consultation with the Secretary shall require any foreign mission in the United States, including any mission to an international organization (as defined in section 209(b)(2) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 4309(b)(2))), to notify the Under Secretary prior to any proposed acquisition, or any proposed sale or other disposition, of any real property by or on behalf of such mission.
(2) Requirements
The foreign mission (or other party acting on behalf of the foreign mission) may initiate or execute any contract, proceeding, application, or other action required for a proposed action under paragraph (1) only—
(A)
after the expiration of the 60-day period beginning on the date of such notification (or after the expiration of such shorter period as the Secretary may specify in a given case); and
(B)
if the mission is not notified by the Under Secretary within that period that the proposal has been disapproved, except that the Under Secretary may include in such a notification such terms and conditions as the Under Secretary may determine appropriate in order to remove the disapproval.
(b) Divestiture
The Under Secretary for Management, in consultation with the Secretary, may require any foreign mission to divest itself of, or forgo the use of, any real property determined—
(1)
not to have been acquired in accordance with this section;
(2)
to exceed limitations placed on real property available to a United States mission in the sending State; or
(3)
where otherwise necessary to protect the interests of the United States.
(c) Abandoned property
If a foreign mission has ceased conducting diplomatic, consular, and other governmental activities in the United States and has not designated a protecting power or other agent approved by the Secretary to be responsible for the property of that foreign mission, the Under Secretary for Management—
(1)
until the designation of a protecting power or other agent approved by the Secretary, may protect and preserve any property of that foreign mission; and
(2)
may dispose of such property at such time as the Under Secretary may determine after the expiration of the one-year period beginning on the date that the foreign mission ceased those activities, and may remit to the sending State the net proceeds from such disposition.
(d) Coordination
(1) In general
Beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, real property in the United States may not be acquired (by sale, lease, or other means) by or on behalf of the foreign mission of a covered foreign country if—
(A)
in the judgment of the Secretary of Defense (after consultation with the Secretary), the acquisition of that property might substantially improve the capability of that country to intercept communications involving United States Government diplomatic, military, or intelligence matters; or
(B)
in the judgment of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (after consultation with the Secretary), the acquisition of that property might substantially improve the capability of that country to engage in intelligence activities directed against the United States Government, other than the intelligence activities described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Notification
The Secretary shall inform the Secretary of Defense and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation immediately upon notice being given pursuant to subsection (a) of a proposed acquisition of real property by or on behalf of the foreign mission of a foreign country described in paragraph (4).
(e) Definitions
In this section—
(1)
the term acquisition includes any acquisition or alteration of, or addition to, any real property or any change in the purpose for which real property is used by a foreign mission;
(2)
the term covered foreign country means—
(A)
any country listed as a Communist country in section 620(f) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961;
(B)
any country the government of which the Secretary determines has repeatedly provided support for international terrorism pursuant to—
(i)
section 1754(c)(1)(A) of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c)(1)(A));
(ii)
section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371);
(iii)
section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780); or
(iv)
any other provision of law; or
(C)
any other country which engages in intelligence activities in the United States which are adverse to the national security interests of the United States; and
(3)
the term substantially improve may not be construed to prevent the establishment of a foreign mission by a country which, as of the date of enactment of this Act—
(A)
does not have a mission in the United States; or
(B)
with respect to a city in the United States, did not maintain a mission in that city.
Sec. 255. Exemption of Department from Secure Federal LEASEs Act
Section 2(6)(A) of the Secure Federal LEASEs Act (Public Law 116–276; 40 U.S.C. 585 note) is amended by inserting and the Department of State
after the Department of Defense
.
Sec. 256. Non-standard design construction reporting requirement
Section 5202 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law 117–81; 135 Stat. 2353) is amended by striking subsection (c).
Sec. 257. Fee for use of diplomatic reception rooms
(a) In general
The Under Secretary for Management is authorized to charge a fee for use of the diplomatic reception rooms of the Department.
(b) Deposit and availability
Amounts collected under subsection (a) (including reimbursements and surcharges) shall be credited as discretionary offsetting collections to the currently applicable appropriation account of the Department to recover the costs of such use and shall be made available for such purposes only to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance for appropriations Acts, which shall remain available for obligation until expended.
Sec. 258. Fees received for use of Blair House
(a) Use of fees
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds received by the Department in connection with the use of Blair House (including reimbursements and surcharges for services and goods provided and fees for use of Blair House facilities) may be credited to the appropriate appropriation account of the Department which is currently available. Such funds shall be available only for maintenance and other expenses of Blair House.
(b) Compliance with the budget act
The authority of this section may be exercised only to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance in an appropriation Act.
Sec. 259. Provision of benefits
(a) In general
Upon the request of a foreign mission in the United States, benefits may be provided to or for that foreign mission by or through the Assistant Secretary for Asset Management on such terms and conditions as the Secretary may approve.
(b) Authority
(1) In general
If the Assistant Secretary for Asset Management determines that such action is reasonably necessary on the basis of reciprocity or otherwise—
(A)
to facilitate relations between the United States and a sending State,
(B)
to protect the interests of the United States,
(C)
to adjust for costs and procedures of obtaining benefits for missions of the United States abroad,
(D)
to assist in resolving a dispute affecting United States interests and involving a foreign mission or sending State, or
(E)
subject to subsection (f), to implement an exchange of property between the Government of the United States and the government of a foreign country, such property to be used by each government in the respective receiving state for, or in connection with, diplomatic or consular establishments,
then the Assistant Secretary may require a foreign mission to take one or more of the actions described in paragraph (2).
(2) Actions described
The actions described in this paragraph are—
(A)
to obtain benefits from or through the Assistant Secretary on such terms and conditions as the Secretary may approve; or
(B)
to forego the acceptance, use, or relations of any benefit or to comply with such terms and conditions as the Assistant Secretary may determine as a condition to the execution or performance in the United States of any contract or other agreement, the acquisition, retention, or use of any real property, or the application for or acceptance of any benefit (including any benefit from or authorized by any Federal, State, or municipal governmental authority, or any entity providing public services).
(c) Terms and conditions
The Assistant Secretary for Asset Management, in consultation with the Secretary, may establish terms and conditions under this section which may include—
(1)
a requirement to pay to the Assistant Secretary a surcharge or fee, and
(2)
a waiver by a foreign mission or any assignee of or person deriving rights from a foreign mission of any recourse against any governmental authority, any entity providing public services, any employee or agent of such an authority or entity, or any other person,
in connection with any action determined by the Secretary to be undertaken in furtherance of this section.
(d) Waiver
For purposes of effectuating a waiver of recourse which is required under this section, the Assistant Secretary for Asset Management may designate any officer of the Department as the agent of a foreign mission (or of any assignee of or person deriving rights from a foreign mission). Any such waiver by an officer so designated shall for all purposes (including any court or administrative proceeding) be deemed to be a waiver by the foreign mission (or the assignee of or other person deriving rights from a foreign mission).
(e) Rule of construction
Nothing in this title may be deemed to preclude or limit in any way the authority of the United States Secret Service to provide protective services pursuant to section 3056 or 3056A of title 18, United States Code, at a level commensurate with protective requirements as determined by the United States Secret Service.
(f) Real property
(1) In general
The Assistant Secretary for Asset Management, in consultation with the Secretary, upon a determination in each specific case by the Assistant Secretary that the purpose of the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926, can best be met on the basis of an in-kind exchange of properties with a foreign country pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(E), may transfer funds made available under the heading ‘ ‘Acquisition and Maintenance of Buildings Abroad’ ’ (including funds held in the Foreign Service Buildings Fund) for such purpose to the Working Capital Fund, as provided in section 208(h)(1) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 4308(h)(1)). Except for funds that may be provided by a foreign government for the purchase of property, only funds transferred under the preceding sentence may be used for the purposes of subsection (b)(1)(E).
(2) Reciprocal agreement
The Assistant Secretary may acquire property in the United States for the purposes of subsection (b)(1)(E) only in the context of a specific reciprocal agreement with a specified foreign government. Property acquired by the United States in the foreign country through such an exchange shall benefit the United States at least to the same extent as the property acquired in the United States benefits the foreign government.
(3) Regulations
The Assistant Secretary shall prescribe regulations for the implementation of any in-kind exchange of properties pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(E).
(4) Congressional notification
At least 15 days before entering into any reciprocal agreement for the exchange of property with another foreign government, the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Asset Management, shall notify the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate of such proposed reciprocal agreement.
(5) Proceeds
Proceeds from the disposition of properties acquired pursuant to this subsection shall be credited to the Foreign Service Buildings Fund (referred to in section 9 of the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926). The authority to spend such proceeds may be exercised only to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance in an appropriation Act.
Subtitle G Human resources
Sec. 261. Assistant Secretary for Human Resources
(a) Establishment
There is authorized to be in the Department an Assistant Secretary for Human Resources who shall be responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for matters pertaining to human resources, the management and development of the workforce of the Department, and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
(b) Responsibilities
In addition to the responsibilities described in subsection (a) and the duties of the Director General of the Foreign Service, the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to human capital, workforce development and management in the conduct of foreign policy, including, as appropriate—
(1)
talent management, including acquisition, development, evaluation retention, promotion, and retirement;
(2)
the Department’s training and development institutions, programs, and responsibilities;
(3)
personnel benefits, including the administration of the Department’s benefits and annuities;
(4)
managing employee experience and relations, including addressing grievances, ensuring accessibility, and managing accommodations;
(5)
domestic and overseas assignments policy and administration;
(6)
talent strategy and analysis;
(7)
presidential appointments; and
(8)
such other related duties as the Under Secretary for Management may from time to time designate.
Sec. 262. Bureau of Human Resources
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Bureau of Human Resources, which shall perform such functions related to the recruitment, training, and retirement of personnel of the Department, as the Under Secretary for Management may prescribe.
(b) Head
The Assistant Secretary for Human Resources shall be the head of the Bureau of Human Resources.
Sec. 263. Authorization of appropriations
Of the funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management under section 202, the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources shall receive the funds necessary to fulfill Bureau functions and the Assistant Secretary’s responsibilities for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Sec. 264. Matters relating to the Foreign Service Institute
(a) Director line of reporting
The Director of the Foreign Service Institute shall report to the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources for all matters pertaining to the management, execution, and strategy of the training and instruction required by section 701 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4021).
(b) Schools of instruction
The Foreign Service Institute shall consist of at least four schools of instruction, which shall provide instruction consistent with the requirements set forth in title 7 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980. The schools of instruction shall be as follows:
(1)
The School of Professional and Area Studies, which shall provide job-specific orientation, tradecraft, and area studies training through tailored programs in consular, economic and commercial, management, office management, political, and public diplomacy, as well as new-hire orientation programs, to empower foreign affairs professionals to advance the United States interests and address the evolving challenges of 21st-century diplomacy.
(2)
The School of Leadership and Management Studies, which shall provide leadership and crisis management training to prepare Department personnel to take on supervisory and management roles, face global leadership challenges, and promote organizational health and efficiency.
(3)
The School of Applied Information Technology Studies, which shall provide digital literacy and technology instruction and orientation for Department personnel. Such school shall provide instruction to—
(A)
enable Department personnel to efficiently and effectively use technology in their daily routines;
(B)
ensure information technology professionals have the up-to-date knowledge and skills required to operate and maintain the complex computer and technology systems employed domestically and at all United States overseas missions; and
(C)
prepare Department personnel to serve as information technology consultants on behalf of their mission.
(4)
The School of Foreign Languages, which shall be responsible for providing language instruction as prescribed by law and at the direction of the Secretary to meet the needs of the Department and advance United States national interests.
Sec. 265. Fees for use of the George P. Schultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center
The Under Secretary for Management is authorized to charge a fee for use of the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center of the Department. Amounts collected under this section (including reimbursements and surcharges) shall be deposited as an offsetting collection to any Department appropriation to recover the costs of such use and shall be made available for such purposes only to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in Appropriations Acts, which shall remain available for obligation until expended.
Subtitle H United States Code Classification
Sec. 271. Classification in United States Code
The Office of Law Revision Counsel is directed to—
(1)
utilize sections 36 through 66 of title 22, United States Code, to classify the sections of this title; and
(2)
maintain the legislative history, under editorial notes, of repealed law which previously occupied the corresponding sections of United States Code.