Extending the Authorization of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980

GAO discussed the reauthorization of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) implementation of the act, and a proposal to amend the act. GAO believes that OMB has made significant progress in implementing the act. OMB has issued a 5-year automatic data processing (ADP) and telecommunications plan which it believes will bring about effective ADP and telecommunications planning at the agency level, and it has increased its interest in statistical policy and is monitoring compliance with statistical standards. While OMB has issued detailed policies and procedural guidance to agencies regarding paperwork management, it has not yet issued detailed guidance for ADP, telecommunications, or statistical policy. OMB does plan to issue a policy circular on information resources management soon. GAO believes that the proposed amendments would strengthen the act and further its original purposes.