January 19, 2001

Michael F. DiMario
Public Printer
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20401

Dear Mr. DiMario,

The Joint Committee on Printing has reviewed the Printing and Binding Regulations (No. 26) and identified several areas where the regulations need to be updated to account for advances in technology since the latest version of the regulations were issued in 1990.

Until a more expansive review of the regulations can be undertaken by the Joint Committee, the following changes should be implemented immediately:

• Delete the limitation on the purchase of commercial blank books.
• Remove references to paper size in printing and procurement.
• Remove the prohibition on printing done with grant money.
• Increase the level of free publications permitted without prior approval from 50 copies to 5000 copies and the dollar limitation from $100 to $10,000.
• Reduce the reporting requirements of agencies to the Joint Committee on Printing, including the deletion of report forms 3, 5, 6, and 7.

Please inform all relevant agencies of the changes in the regulations.  If you have any questions, please contact my staff at (202) 225-8281.

Best regards,

 /s
Bill Thomas
Chairman

cc:  Members of the Joint Committee on Printing