This section was derived from section 8H of the Inspector General Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95–452, which was set out in the former Appendix to this title, and as it existed as of Oct. 19, 2021. Section 8H of Pub. L. 95–452 was amended by Pub. L. 117–103, div. X, title V, § 502(b), Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 985, and by Pub. L. 117–263, div. F, title LXVI, § 6609(b), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3560, prior to being repealed and reenacted as this section by Pub. L. 117–286, §§ 3(b), 7, Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4242, 4361. For applicability of those amendments to this section, see section 5(b) of Pub. L. 117–286, set out in a Transitional and Savings Provisions note preceding section 101 of this title.

Section 8H of Pub. L. 95–452 was amended by Pub. L. 117–103 as follows:

(1) in subsection (h)(1) [restated as subsection (a)(2) of this section], by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively (and indenting such clauses accordingly);

(2) by redesignating subsection (h)(1) and (2) [restated as subsection (a)(2) and (1) of this section, respectively] as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively (and indenting such subparagraphs accordingly);

(3) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), as redesignated, by inserting “(1)” before “In this”; and

(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(2) Within the executive branch, an Inspector General to whom any complaint or information is reported under this section shall have sole authority to determine whether the complaint or information is a matter of urgent concern under this section.”

Section 8H of Pub. L. 95–452 was amended by Pub. L. 117–263 in subsection (h)(1)(A)(i) by striking “involving” and all that follows through “policy matters.” and inserting “of the Federal Government that is—

“(I) a matter of national security; and

“(II) not a difference of opinion concerning public policy matters.”

Subsection (h)(1)(A)(i) of former section 8H of Pub. L. 95–452 was restated by Pub. L. 117–286 as subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section.