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Public Law115th CongressGovernment Operations and Politics
H.R. 3210Became Law

Securely Expediting Clearances Through Reporting Transparency Act of 2018

This bill became law

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Law

What it doesSummary public law (May 22, 2018)


Securely Expediting Clearances Through Reporting Transparency Act of 2018 or the SECRET Act of 2018

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) within the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to report on its backlog of security clearance investigations. The report must include a backlog mitigation plan identifying the cause of, and making recommendations to remedy, the backlog.

(Sec. 4) The Executive Office of the President must report on the process for conducting and adjudicating security clearance investigations for the President's staff.

(Sec. 5) The OPM must report on the costs of maintaining comprehensive background investigations capability within both the NBIB and the Department of Defense, compared to the costs of sustaining a single government-wide background investigations enterprise.

(Sec. 6) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) must report on: (1) the status of implementing government-wide continuous evaluation programs, (2) efforts by federal agencies to meet requirements for reciprocal recognition to access classified information, and (3) whether the schedule for processing security clearances should be modified.

(Sec. 7) The ODNI and the OPM must review and make recommendations to Congress and the President, as appropriate, to issue guidance to assist agencies in determining: (1) position sensitivity designation, and (2) the appropriate background investigation to initiate for each position designation. The President must report on any issues identified in, and the number of position designations revised as a result of, the review.

What just happenedMay 22, 2018

Became Public Law No: 115-173.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Knight, Stephen [R-CA-25](R-CA)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 D
Read on Congress.gov
1cosponsors2committees34actions1amendments8subjects
  1. May 22, 2018President

    Became Public Law No: 115-173.

  2. May 22, 2018BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 115-173.

  3. May 22, 2018President

    Signed by President.

  4. May 22, 2018BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. May 10, 2018Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. May 10, 2018President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. May 7, 2018ResolvingDifferencesH41931

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. May 7, 2018ResolvingDifferencesH41610

    On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (text as House agreed to Senate amendment)

  9. May 7, 2018NotUsed19500

    Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.(text as House agreed to Senate amendment)

  10. May 7, 2018FloorH8D000

    Mr. Russell asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's Table and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H3760-3761)

  11. Mar 15, 2018Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  12. Mar 15, 2018Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S1768-1769)

  13. Mar 15, 2018Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S1768-1769)

  14. Mar 15, 2018Floor

    The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.

  15. Mar 15, 2018Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S1768-1770)

  16. Nov 27, 2017Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 264.

  17. Nov 27, 2017Committee

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-185.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  18. Nov 27, 2017Committee14000

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-185.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  19. Oct 4, 2017Committee

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  20. Jul 27, 2017IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  21. Jul 26, 2017FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  22. Jul 26, 2017FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6327)

  23. Jul 26, 2017Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6327)

  24. Jul 26, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3210.

  25. Jul 26, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6327-6328)

  26. Jul 26, 2017FloorH30300

    Mr. Mitchell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  27. Jul 25, 2017CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 188.

  28. Jul 25, 2017CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 115-258.

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  29. Jul 25, 2017Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 115-258.

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  30. Jul 19, 2017Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  31. Jul 19, 2017Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  32. Jul 12, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  33. Jul 12, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  34. Jul 12, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawMay 22, 201849

Securely Expediting Clearances Through Reporting Transparency Act of 2018 or the SECRET Act of 2018

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) within the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to report on its backlog of security clearance investigations. The report must include a backlog mitigation plan identifying the cause of, and making recommendations to remedy, the backlog.

(Sec. 4) The Executive Office of the President must report on the process for conducting and adjudicating security clearance investigations for the President's staff.

(Sec. 5) The OPM must report on the costs of maintaining comprehensive background investigations capability within both the NBIB and the Department of Defense, compared to the costs of sustaining a single government-wide background investigations enterprise.

(Sec. 6) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) must report on: (1) the status of implementing government-wide continuous evaluation programs, (2) efforts by federal agencies to meet requirements for reciprocal recognition to access classified information, and (3) whether the schedule for processing security clearances should be modified.

(Sec. 7) The ODNI and the OPM must review and make recommendations to Congress and the President, as appropriate, to issue guidance to assist agencies in determining: (1) position sensitivity designation, and (2) the appropriate background investigation to initiate for each position designation. The President must report on any issues identified in, and the number of position designations revised as a result of, the review.

House agreed to Senate amendment without amendmentMay 7, 201870

Securely Expediting Clearances Through Reporting Transparency Act of 2018 or the SECRET Act of 2018

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) within the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to report on its backlog of security clearance investigations. The report must include a backlog mitigation plan identifying the cause of, and making recommendations to remedy, the backlog.

(Sec. 4) The Executive Office of the President must report on the process for conducting and adjudicating security clearance investigations for the President's staff.

(Sec. 5) The OPM must report on the costs of maintaining comprehensive background investigations capability within both the NBIB and the Department of Defense, compared to the costs of sustaining a single government-wide background investigations enterprise.

(Sec. 6) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) must report on: (1) the status of implementing government-wide continuous evaluation programs, (2) efforts by federal agencies to meet requirements for reciprocal recognition to access classified information, and (3) whether the schedule for processing security clearances should be modified.

(Sec. 7) The ODNI and the OPM must review and make recommendations to Congress and the President, as appropriate, to issue guidance to assist agencies in determining: (1) position sensitivity designation, and (2) the appropriate background investigation to initiate for each position designation. The President must report on any issues identified in, and the number of position designations revised as a result of, the review.

Passed Senate amendedMar 15, 201835

Securely Expediting Clearances Through Reporting Transparency Act of 2018 or the SECRET Act of 2018

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) within the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to report on its backlog of security clearance investigations. The report must include a backlog mitigation plan identifying the cause of, and making recommendations to remedy, the backlog.

(Sec. 4) The Executive Office of the President must report on the process for conducting and adjudicating security clearance investigations for the President's staff.

(Sec. 5) The OPM must report on the costs of maintaining comprehensive background investigations capability within both the NBIB and the Department of Defense, compared to the costs of sustaining a single government-wide background investigations enterprise.

(Sec. 6) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) must report on: (1) the status of implementing government-wide continuous evaluation programs, (2) efforts by federal agencies to meet requirements for reciprocal recognition to access classified information, and (3) whether the schedule for processing security clearances should be modified.

(Sec. 7) The ODNI and the OPM must review and make recommendations to Congress and the President, as appropriate, to issue guidance to assist agencies in determining: (1) position sensitivity designation, and (2) the appropriate background investigation to initiate for each position designation. The President must report on any issues identified in, and the number of position designations revised as a result of, the review.

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Nov 27, 20171

Securely Expediting Clearances Through Reporting Transparency Act of 2017 or the SECRET Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Office of Personnel Management's National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) to report on the backlog of security clearance investigations. The report must include a backlog mitigation plan identifying the cause of, and making recommendations to remedy, the backlog.

(Sec. 3) The Executive Office of the President must report on the process for conducting and adjudicating security clearance investigations for the President's staff.

(Sec. 4) The Office of Management and Budget must report on the costs of duplicating NBIB resources to implement a specified plan for the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct security investigations for DOD personnel.

(Sec. 5) The NBIB must report on: (1) the status of implementing government-wide continuous evaluation programs, (2) efforts by federal agencies to meet requirements for reciprocal recognition to access classified information, (3) recommendations to improve background investigations, and (4) whether the schedule for processing security clearances should be modified.

(Sec. 6) The President must review and, if appropriate, update the guidance issued to assist agencies in determining: (1) position sensitivity designation, and (2) the appropriate background investigation to initiate for each position designation. The President must report on any issues identified in, and the number of position designations revised as a result of, the review.

Passed House amendedJul 26, 201736

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on July 25, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Securely Expediting Clearances Through Reporting Transparency Act of 2017 or the SECRET Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Office of Personnel Management's National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) to report on the backlog of security clearance investigations.

(Sec. 3) Additionally, the NBIB must report on the process for conducting and adjudicating security clearance investigations for personnel in the Executive Office of the President.

(Sec. 4) Finally, the NBIB must report on the duplicative costs of implementing a plan for the Defense Security Service to conduct, after October 1, 2017, security investigations for Department of Defense (DOD) personnel whose investigations are adjudicated by DOD's Consolidated Adjudication Facility.

Reported to House with amendment(s)Jul 25, 201717

Securely Expediting Clearances Through Reporting Transparency Act of 2017 or the SECRET Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Office of Personnel Management's National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) to report on the backlog of security clearance investigations.

(Sec. 3) Additionally, the NBIB must report on the process for conducting and adjudicating security clearance investigations for personnel in the Executive Office of the President.

(Sec. 4) Finally, the NBIB must report on the duplicative costs of implementing a plan for the Defense Security Service to conduct, after October 1, 2017, security investigations for Department of Defense (DOD) personnel whose investigations are adjudicated by DOD's Consolidated Adjudication Facility.

Introduced in HouseJul 12, 2017

Securely Expediting Clearances Through Reporting Transparency Act of 2017 or the SECRET Act of 2017

This bill requires the Office of Personnel Management's National Background Investigations Bureau to report on the backlog of security clearance investigations.

Securely Expediting Clearances Through Reporting Transparency Act of 2018 — Informed