Studies and reports

(a) Studies (1) In general Not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and not later than December 1 of every other year thereafter, the Director of the Federal Judicial Center shall— (A) conduct a study on the extent of compliance or noncompliance with the requirements of sections 144 and 455 of title 28, United States Code; and (B) submit to Congress the results of the study required under subparagraph (A). (2) Additional time With respect to the first such study required to be submitted under paragraph (1), the requirements of that paragraph may be implemented after the date described in that paragraph if the Director of the Federal Judicial Center identifies in writing to the relevant committees of Congress the additional time needed for submission of the study. (3) Facilitation of studies The Director of the Federal Judicial Center shall maintain a record of each instance in which— (A) a justice, judge, magistrate judge, or bankruptcy judge of the United States was not assigned to a case due to potential or actual conflicts; and (B) a justice, judge, magistrate judge, or bankruptcy judge of the United States disqualifies themselves after a case assignment is made. (b) Reports to Congress Not later than April 1 of each year following the completion of the study required under subsection (a), the Director of the Federal Judicial Center shall submit to Congress a report containing the findings of the study and any recommendations to improve compliance with sections 144 and 455 of title 28, United States Code. (c) GAO review (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date on which the report is submitted under subsection (b), if determined appropriate by the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate or the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives, after consultation with the Comptroller General of the United States, and every 5 years thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report containing— (A) an review of the methodology and findings of the study required under subsection (a); and (B) a review of the methodology and findings of the audit required under section 1661 of title 28, United States Code, as added by section 7 of this Act. (2) Access For purposes of conducting the reviews required under paragraph (1), and consistent with section 715 of title 31, United States Code, the Comptroller General of the United States is authorized to obtain such records of the Federal Judicial Center and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts as the Comptroller requires, including those records relating to the Supreme Court of the United States.