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H.R.3838 / 109th Congress

Hurricane Katrina Accountability and Contracting Reform Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 20, 2005

Hurricane Katrina Accountability and Contracting Reform Act - Establishes in the legislative branch the bipartisian Independent Commission to Prevent Fraud and Abuse in the Response to Hurricane Katrina to conduct a complete, independent, and impartial investigation of federal government contracting relative to Hurricane Katrina recovery, relief, and reconstruction, as well as allegations of price gouging or profiteering.

Requires a federal agency head, within 14 days after the award of a Hurricane-related contract, to make publicly available, including by posting on the Internet in a searchable database, specified information with respect to the contract, including the name and address of the contractor and the contract's total amount.

Requires federal agency heads to provide certain contract-related information to Congress, including copies of the contract and all modifications.

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Prohibits the federal government from entering into a Hurricane Katrina-related monopoly contract, with certain exceptions.

Requires the federal government to use competition in the purchase of goods and services in excess of $100,000 pursuant to any Hurricane Katrina-related multiple award contract.

Prohibits an agency from entering into a Hurricane Katrina-related contract for the performance of a function relating to contract oversight wtih any contractor with a conflict of interest.

Prohibits an agency from entering into a Hurricane Katrina-related contract for the performance of inherently governmental functions for contract oversight.

Revises the prohibition against a former official's acceptance of compensation from a contractor.

Prevents former employees of private contractors who become federal government employees from awarding government contracts to their former employers for a period of five years after leaving the private contractor's employ .

Subjects additional offenses to criminal penalties.

Amends the Second Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Meet Immediate Needs Arising from the Consequences of Hurricane Katrina to repeal the $250,000 micropurchase threshold (thus applying the regular $2,500 micropurchase threshold of federal procurement law).

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Who introduced it

Rep. Waxman, Henry A. [D-CA-30] · D–CA

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  • Armed Services Committee
  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee
76 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines.

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

  4. Referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Armed Services, 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.

  5. Referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Armed Services, 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.

  6. Referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Armed Services, 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.

  7. Referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Armed Services, 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.

  8. Referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Armed Services, 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.

  9. Introduced in House

  10. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 15, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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