GREAT Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (3 Jan 2019): Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
What this bill does
H.R. 50, the GREAT Act, would require the federal government to standardize how recipients of federal grants and cooperative agreements report information. It directs the Office of Management and Budget to designate a lead "standard-setting agency" and, working together, establish governmentwide data standards—including standard definitions and unique identifiers—for grant and audit reporting. Agencies would then be required to issue guidance applying these standards and, within set timeframes, update their information collection requirements accordingly. The bill also calls for consolidating recipient-reported award data into a single, publicly accessible online data set, subject to privacy and FOIA protections, and requires a report evaluating whether to use nonproprietary identifiers.
The changes primarily affect federal agencies that award grants and cooperative agreements, and the organizations, state/local governments, and tribes that receive such awards. Supporters intend it to reduce paperwork and compliance burdens for recipients while improving government oversight and public transparency of award data. The bill specifies no new data collection beyond what is already legally required, and states no additional funds are authorized—agencies must implement it within existing budgets.
The bill was introduced in the House on January 3, 2019, by Rep. Virginia Foxx and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform; it did not receive further floor action as a standalone bill. According to the Congressional Research Service, its provisions were later incorporated into other legislation that was ultimately enacted.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Grant Reporting Efficiency and Agreements Transparency Act of 2019 or the GREAT Act
This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget, jointly with the executive department that issues the most federal grant awards, to (1) establish government-wide data standards for information reported by grant recipients, (2) issue guidance directing federal agencies to apply those standards, and (3) require the publication of recipient-reported data collected from all agencies on a single public website.
Timeline
3 Jan 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 50 do?
- H.R. 50, the GREAT Act, would require the federal government to standardize how recipients of federal grants and cooperative agreements report information. It directs the Office of Management and Budget to designate a lead "standard-setting agency" and, working together, establish governmentwide data standards—including standard definitions and unique identifiers—for grant and audit reporting. Agencies would then be required to issue guidance applying these standards and, within set timeframes, update their information collection requirements accordingly. The bill also calls for consolidating recipient-reported award data into a single, publicly accessible online data set, subject to privacy and FOIA protections, and requires a report evaluating whether to use nonproprietary identifiers. The changes primarily affect federal agencies that award grants and cooperative agreements, and the organizations, state/local governments, and tribes that receive such awards. Supporters intend it to reduce paperwork and compliance burdens for recipients while improving government oversight and public transparency of award data. The bill specifies no new data collection beyond what is already legally required, and states no additional funds are authorized—agencies must implement it within existing budgets. The bill was introduced in the House on January 3, 2019, by Rep. Virginia Foxx and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform; it did not receive further floor action as a standalone bill. According to the Congressional Research Service, its provisions were later incorporated into other legislation that was ultimately enacted.
- Has H.R. 50 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 50. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 50?
- H.R. 50 was sponsored by Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5] (R-NC), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 50?
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. (3 Jan 2019).
Related bills in Government Operations and Politics
Bring Our Heroes Home Act
Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act of 2025
National American History and Founders Month Act
Italian Heroes and Heritage Act
More bills from Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]
Spending Safeguard Act
Robo COP Act
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1501) to amend the FAST Act to include certain mineral production activities as a covered project, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 9436) to amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1490) providing for the condemnation and denouncement of socialism in all its forms, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4795) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit an institution that participates in a nonexpressive commercial boycott of Israel from being eligible for certain funds under that Act, to require an institution that participates in certain programs under that Act to certify that students are not unreasonably obstructed from participating in academic programs in Israel, and for other purposes; and relating to consideration of motions to suspend the rules.
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8800) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8884) to amend title II of the Social Security Act to reauthorize demonstration authority for the disability insurance program; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 113) establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2027 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2028 through 2036; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7008) to amend chapter 131 of title 5 to require certain restrictions on stocks for Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6955) to make improvements to the Federal banking laws, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 9770) making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.