Rep. Maxwell Frost proposes bill to overhaul federal legacy information technology systems

U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost is seeking to improve efficiency and oversight of federal agencies through a bill that requires the identification and modernization of legacy IT systems, according to the U.S. Congress.

Filed as H.R.8408 on April 21, 2026, during the 119th Congress’s regular session, the bill’s provisions are summarized below with clarifications based on the official text.

The legislation directs federal agencies to reduce reliance on outdated information technology by mandating inventories and modernization plans. Within one year of its enactment, agencies’ Chief Information Officers would be required to create lists detailing all legacy systems, associated costs, and recommended upgrades. Agencies must submit and update these comprehensive modernization strategies every five years, specifying priorities and funding requirements. The Office of Management and Budget will set out guidance to facilitate the process, while the Comptroller General is tasked with reviewing compliance three years after the bill takes effect. There are exceptions for sensitive and national security systems that are protected from disclosure. The legislation does not provide additional funding and will sunset six years after becoming effective.

Rep. Maxwell Frost (Democrat-FL-10th District) is the primary sponsor, with Reps. Eric Burlison (Republican-FL-7th District) and William R. Timmons (Republican-FL-4th District) serving as co-sponsors.

Rep. Frost has introduced 22 other bills since the start of the current congressional session.

Congressional bills may be introduced in either chamber of Congress, with the exception of revenue bills, which must originate in the House. After a bill is introduced, it is assigned to committees for examination, hearings, amendments, and debate before proceeding to a vote in each chamber. If both chambers pass matching versions, the measure goes to the president for approval or veto. Congress operates on two-year cycles, called terms, each divided into two annual sessions. All legislative procedures and official records are managed and published by the U.S. Congress through Congress.gov.

Maxwell Frost is a representative from Florida. He was elected as a Democrat to the 118th Congress on Jan. 3, 2023, and continues in the following term. He graduated from Osceola County School for the Arts in Kissimmee, Florida and attended Valencia College in Orlando.

Information in this report was sourced from the U.S. Congress. The original data is available here.