H.R. 5245 — To provide for the management authorities of the Department of State.

This section establishes in the Department of State an Under Secretary for Management responsible to the Secretary for the Department's management and administration, including management integration and transformation in support of foreign operations and programs. The section specifies additional responsibilities for the Under Secretary, including continuous observation and coordination of (1) acquisitions and asset management; (2) human resources and personnel management; (3) clinical, occupational, and mental health programs; (4) information technology and communications systems; (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. The section further directs the Under Secretary to administer historic and artistic furnishings, fixtures, and decorative objects in the reception areas (i.e., Diplomatic Reception Rooms on the eighth floor and specified seventh-floor areas) of the Harry S. Truman Federal Building at 2201 C Street, Northwest, Washington, DC—including their conservation for public enjoyment, ne-needed disposition by sale at fair market value or trade (with concurrence of the Secretary and Director of the National Gallery of Art and without regard to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949), crediting of sale proceeds to the Department's unconditional gift account, and lending to the Smithsonian Institution or similar institutions.

This section establishes in the Department of State an Office of Medical Services led by a Chief Medical Officer appointed by the Secretary. The Chief Medical Officer is responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for the Department's clinical and mental health programs—in accordance with departmental needs and at the Secretary's direction—and for all related activities prescribed in section 904 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4048). (As background, that section governs disability retirement under the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System, under which participants with at least five years of creditable service (excluding military service) who become totally disabled for useful service are eligible for an annuity computed as if they had 20 years of service, subject to physical examinations by physicians designated by the Secretary of State.)

This section authorizes appropriations to the Under Secretary for Management, from funds authorized to the Secretary under section 131, as necessary to fulfill the Under Secretary’s responsibilities for FY2026 and FY2027.

This section establishes in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for Administration, responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for enterprise logistics, knowledge management, acquisition, and other operational services worldwide in support of U.S. foreign policy, as well as other duties designated by the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary shall also coordinate administrative matters under foreign policy conduct, including (1) global logistics support for U.S. diplomacy personnel and programs; (2) domestic safety, occupational health, and multimedia services; (3) policies, regulations, standards, and procedures for government-wide allowances; (4) emergency management planning, training, and exercises for domestic hazards; (5) global publishing services (i.e., design, print, and copier management); (6) foreign language support for the Department, Executive Office of the President, and other federal entities; (7) elementary and secondary educational opportunities for dependents of U.S. government personnel abroad; (8) privacy safeguards and transparency through compliance, training, records management, and collaboration; and (9) other duties designated by the Under Secretary for Management.

This section establishes a Bureau of Administration in the Department, headed by the Assistant Secretary for Administration, to perform support functions for the Department and U.S. embassies and consulates—including enterprise logistics, knowledge management, and other worldwide operational services—as prescribed by the Under Secretary for Management. The Secretary may establish directorates in the bureau to perform relevant functions such as (1) global operations and (2) shared knowledge services.

This section authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Administration to receive funds—drawn from those appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management under section 202—as necessary to fulfill bureau functions and the Assistant Secretary’s responsibilities for FY2026 and FY2027.

This section establishes in the Department of State a Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology, responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for the Department's information technology, cybersecurity workforce, digital infrastructure, and other duties designated by the Secretary. The officer must also maintain continuous observation and coordination of diplomatic technology matters in foreign policy conduct, including (1) enterprise planning and governance, (2) cybersecurity and risk management, (3) technology operations and innovation, (4) customer experience, and (5) other duties designated by the Under Secretary for Management.

This section establishes a Bureau of Diplomatic Technology in the Department of State to perform functions related to the planning, acquisition, governance, security, integration, modernization, and oversight of the department's information technology, systems, and communications infrastructure, as prescribed by the Under Secretary for Management. The Chief Information Officer serves as head of the bureau.

This section directs that the Chief Information Officer for Diplomatic Technology receive funds necessary to fulfill bureau functions and the CIO's responsibilities for FY2026 and FY2027 from funds authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management under section 202.

This section establishes responsibilities for the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs relating to consular functions in foreign policy, including (1) formulating policy on immigration, consular services, and U.S. citizenship determination; (2) developing policies for the Bureau of Consular Affairs on passports, visas, citizen protection abroad, third-country representation, and citizenship; (3) providing guidance to Department principals and U.S. embassies and consulates; (4) ensuring efficient consular services; (5) overseeing the Passport and Visa Offices; (6) maintaining consular document integrity with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security; and (7) other duties as designated by the Under Secretary for Management.

This section establishes a Bureau of Consular Affairs within the Department of State to perform consular functions (i.e., visa issuance, passport services, and protection of U.S. citizens abroad) as prescribed by the Under Secretary for Management and designates the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs as its head.

This section directs that the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs receive funds necessary to fulfill Bureau of Consular Affairs functions and the Assistant Secretary's responsibilities for FY2026 and FY2027 from amounts authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management under section 202.

This section prohibits the use of Department of State funds for expenses related to closing any U.S. consular or diplomatic post abroad (excluding posts staffed only by non-Department personnel) or for Bureau of Administration functions if any such post is closed, unless (1) the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Senate Committee on Foreign Relations are notified at least 45 days in advance; (2) such amounts are treated as a reprogramming of funds subject to the notification and other procedures of 22 U.S.C. 2706 (i.e., 15-day advance notice to specified committees for actions such as program eliminations, reorganizations, or changes exceeding $1 million or 10%, whichever is less); or (3) an exception applies for a break or downgrading of diplomatic relations or a real threat to personnel accompanied by a Department-issued travel advisory warning against U.S. citizen travel to the post's city.

This section modifies, for FY2026 and FY2027, the authorized use of passport application surcharges under 22 U.S.C. 214(b)(1) to cover the costs of providing consular services (i.e., passport issuance, visa processing, and assistance to U.S. citizens abroad) rather than solely the costs of addressing increased passport demand due to post-9/11 requirements. The section also (1) authorizes the obligation of passport and immigrant visa surcharges collected pursuant to the FY2005 Department of State appropriations act (8 U.S.C. 1714)—notwithstanding restrictions in the Department of State Authorities Act of 2006—for consular services costs, with priority for U.S. citizen services and a required report to specified congressional committees within 90 days after expiration; (2) permits transfers of discretionary amounts and prior-year unobligated balances from the Administration of Foreign Affairs account to the Consular and Border Security Programs account, if necessary to sustain consular operations following committee consultation and reporting (in addition to other transfer authorities and excluding emergency-designated funds); and (3) expands permissible uses of fees in the Fraud Prevention and Detection Account (8 U.S.C. 1356(v)) to include consular services costs. All amounts are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

This section authorizes the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department of State to access, obtain, and use information from other federal departments and agencies relevant to adjudicating U.S. passports and visas, for purposes including verifying applicant eligibility, detecting fraud, identifying national security or law enforcement concerns, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws. The section further (1) authorizes the Secretary of State to enter interagency agreements to facilitate secure information exchange, including on active investigations; (2) requires safeguards for handling personal information consistent with applicable privacy laws; and (3) specifies that the authority does not permit collecting new categories of information or using information for unrelated purposes.

This section transfers the Office of Consular Systems and Technology from the Bureau of Consular Affairs to the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology not later than 180 days after enactment, placing it under the Chief Information Officer's jurisdiction, oversight, and management to align consular information systems with department-wide IT strategy and cybersecurity policies while ensuring continuity of operations for passport and visa services. It requires the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, in consultation with the Chief Information Officer, to submit a transition plan to the appropriate congressional committees within 90 days of enactment that includes a timeline, pre- and post-transfer organizational charts, any personnel or budgetary changes, and measures to maintain consular services during the transfer.

This section establishes in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security, responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for the management, direction, and strategic execution of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (i.e., the State Department's entity responsible for protecting U.S. diplomatic personnel, facilities, and information overseas) and other duties designated by the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary must also maintain continuous observation and coordination of diplomatic security in foreign policy conduct, including (1) protective operations and law enforcement; (2) security programs and emergency planning; (3) investigations and counterintelligence; (4) training, policy, and diplomatic engagement; (5) authorities under the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 delegated by the Secretary; and (6) other duties designated by the Under Secretary for Management.

This section establishes a Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the Department of State, to be headed by the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security. The bureau performs functions related to (1) protection of U.S. diplomatic personnel and facilities, (2) prevention and investigation of security threats, (3) implementation of technical, physical, and cybersecurity programs, (4) management of emergency preparedness and threat analysis, and (5) advancement of U.S. security partnerships abroad, as prescribed by the Under Secretary for Management.

This section authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security to receive funds, from those appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management under section 202, as necessary to fulfill Bureau of Diplomatic Security functions and the Assistant Secretary’s responsibilities for FY2026 and FY2027.

This section designates 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. (Thus, the Secretary of State's policies and programs for protecting U.S. government personnel abroad explicitly include acting through such officers.)

This section authorizes special agents of the Department of State and the Foreign Service, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of State, to (1) conduct investigations concerning illegal passport or visa issuance or use, identity theft or document fraud related to departmental programs, transnational violations of 18 U.S.C. ch. 77 (espionage and related offenses), and federal offenses within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (excluding U.S. military mission premises); (2) obtain and execute search and arrest warrants as well as subpoenas and summonses; (3) provide protective functions for heads of foreign states and their official representatives, the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of State and other U.S. official representatives, their immediate family members, foreign missions (as defined in 22 U.S.C. 4302), international organizations, a departing Secretary for up to 180 days post-tenure based on a threat assessment, and a President- or President-elect-designated Secretary nominee prior to appointment; (4) carry firearms if designated by the Secretary and qualified under Attorney General-approved regulations; and (5) make warrantless arrests for offenses committed in their presence or for felonies if reasonable grounds exist. The section requires agreements with the Attorney General (and Secretary of the Treasury for warrants and arrests), Attorney General-approved firearms regulations, and an interagency agreement among the Secretaries of State and the Treasury and the Attorney General; it also specifies that these protective authorities do not limit U.S. Secret Service functions under 18 U.S.C. 3056 or 3056A.

This section modifies the emergency congressional notification requirement for opening or reopening a high risk, high threat post (i.e., a U.S. diplomatic post facing elevated security threats) by requiring the Secretary of State to detail the national security value of reopening such post.

This section establishes a requirement under the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 for mandatory counter-intelligence training for Diplomatic Security special agents assigned to positions with a primary counterintelligence role or to diplomatic posts rated as High or Critical for Human Intelligence on the Department of State’s Security Environment Threat List. (The Bureau of Diplomatic Security protects U.S. diplomats and facilities abroad.)

This section expands the counter-intelligence personnel security program to cover personnel at U.S. posts in critical human intelligence threat countries and countries designated by the Under Secretary of State for Management (from security personnel at posts in high intelligence threat countries).

This section establishes in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for Asset Management, responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for real property, operations and maintenance, and related duties designated by the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary must also maintain continuous observation and coordination of all U.S. assets abroad and foreign assets in the United States related to foreign policy, including (1) planning, acquisition, design, construction, maintenance, and disposal of U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad; (2) regulation and facilitation of foreign missions’ real property in the United States; (3) management, maintenance, renovation, and disposal of Department-owned or -leased facilities in the United States; (4) any authority delegated under title II of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (relating to regulation of foreign missions); (5) any authority delegated under the Foreign Service Buildings Act of 1926; and (6) other duties designated by the Under Secretary for Management.

This section establishes a Bureau of Asset Management in the Department, headed by the Assistant Secretary for Asset Management, to perform functions related to management of the Department's real property and assets and foreign missions within the United States, as prescribed by the Under Secretary for Management. The bureau may include three directorates to administer (1) Overseas Building Operations, (2) Office of Foreign Missions, and (3) Office of Domestic Operations and Emergency Services.

This section authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Asset Management to receive funds, from those appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management under section 202, as necessary to fulfill Bureau functions and the Assistant Secretary’s responsibilities for FY2026 and FY2027.

This section establishes requirements for foreign missions in the United States, including missions to international organizations, governing the acquisition, sale, disposition, divestiture, and handling of real property. Specifically, the section (1) requires missions to notify the Under Secretary for Management prior to any proposed action, prohibiting initiation or execution until 60 days after notification (or shorter period specified) or if disapproved with conditions; (2) authorizes the Under Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to require divestiture of property not acquired in compliance, exceeding limits on U.S. missions in the sending state, or otherwise needed to protect U.S. interests; (3) authorizes the Under Secretary to protect and, after one year, dispose of abandoned property from missions that cease activities without designating an approved protecting power or agent; and (4) prohibits real property acquisitions by missions of covered foreign countries—defined to include communist countries under section 620(f) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371 note), countries determined to repeatedly support international terrorism under specified laws (including 22 U.S.C. 2371), or countries engaged in adverse intelligence activities—if judged by the Secretary of Defense or FBI Director to substantially enhance interception or intelligence capabilities against the U.S. government. (Thus, the Secretary of State must notify the Secretary of Defense and FBI Director immediately upon receiving acquisition notices from such missions.)

This section authorizes the Under Secretary for Management to charge a fee for use of the Department of State's diplomatic reception rooms. Collected amounts (including reimbursements and surcharges) are credited as discretionary offsetting collections to the relevant appropriation account to recover the costs of such use and remain available until expended, to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts.

This section authorizes funds received by the Department from the use of Blair House—including reimbursements, surcharges for services and goods, and facility fees—to be credited to the relevant currently available appropriation account solely for Blair House maintenance and other expenses. Such authority is available only to the extent provided in advance in an appropriation Act.

This section authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Asset Management, upon request, to provide benefits to foreign missions in the United States on terms approved by the Secretary of State. It further authorizes the Assistant Secretary to require such missions, if necessary for reciprocity or to protect U.S. interests (including facilitating relations, adjusting for costs of U.S. missions abroad, resolving disputes, or implementing property exchanges), to (1) obtain benefits through the Assistant Secretary or (2) forego benefits or comply with conditions related to contracts, real property, or other benefits. Terms and conditions may include surcharges or fees and waivers of recourse against U.S. governmental authorities or entities, with Department officers designated as agents of foreign missions to effectuate waivers. The section preserves U.S. Secret Service authority to provide protective services and specifies procedures for reciprocal real property exchanges, including transfers of funds from Acquisition and Maintenance of Buildings Abroad appropriations (including the Foreign Service Buildings Fund) to the Working Capital Fund, acquisition only under specific reciprocal agreements with at least equivalent benefit to the United States, regulations, congressional notification at least 15 days in advance to specified committees, and crediting disposition proceeds to the Foreign Service Buildings Fund (expendable only as appropriated).

This section establishes in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for Human Resources, responsible to the Under Secretary for Management for human resources matters, workforce management and development, and related duties designated by the Secretary. In addition to those responsibilities and the duties of the Director General of the Foreign Service, the Assistant Secretary shall oversee, 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 administration of benefits and annuities; (4) employee experience and relations, including grievances, accessibility, and accommodations; (5) domestic and overseas assignments policy and administration; (6) talent strategy and analysis; (7) presidential appointments; and (8) other duties designated by the Under Secretary for Management.

This section establishes a Bureau of Human Resources in the Department, headed by the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources, to perform functions related to the recruitment, training, and retirement of Department personnel as prescribed by the Under Secretary for Management.

This section authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources to receive necessary funds from amounts appropriated to the Under Secretary for Management under section 202 to fulfill bureau functions and the Assistant Secretary’s responsibilities for FY2026 and FY2027.

This section requires the Director of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI)—designated the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center, which provides training in foreign affairs to Foreign Service and Department of State personnel—to report to the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources for all matters pertaining to the management, execution, and strategy of training under 22 U.S.C. 4021. This section further requires the FSI to consist of at least four schools of instruction, consistent with title VII of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as follows: (1) the School of Professional and Area Studies, providing job-specific orientation, tradecraft, and area studies training in consular, economic, management, political, and public diplomacy matters, including new-hire orientation; (2) the School of Leadership and Management Studies, providing leadership and crisis management training; (3) the School of Applied Information Technology Studies, providing digital literacy, technology instruction, and orientation to enable effective use of technology, maintain systems, and serve as IT consultants; and (4) the School of Foreign Languages, providing language instruction as prescribed by law and directed by the Secretary.

This section authorizes the Under Secretary for Management to charge a fee for use of the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center of the Department of State. Amounts collected (including reimbursements and surcharges) are deposited as offsetting collections to any Department appropriation to recover the costs of such use and remain available until expended, to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in appropriations acts.

This section directs the Office of Law Revision Counsel to (1) classify the sections of this title using §§36 through 66 of title 22, United States Code, and (2) maintain, under editorial notes, the legislative history of repealed law previously occupying those sections.