The Smithsonian Institution is on its way to correcting the mismanagement that resulted in several spending scandals last year, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report.

Last year, then-Secretary Lawrence Small resigned amid allegations that he misused funds for extravagant trips and expenses. He was followed be several other Smithsonian officials who spent thousands of dollars on trips to lavish hotels and locales.

But the GAO report notes that the institute’s Board of Regents — which includes six Members of Congress — has put in several reforms. Those include a compensation policy (and lower salaries) for top Smithsonian officials, a new code of ethics and a standardized leave system.

In a statement, Sen. Dianne Feinstein commended the Smithsonian and the Board of Regents on their efforts. The California Democrat heads up the Rules and Administration Committee and the Appropriations subcommittee with oversight of the institution.

She also said the institution needs to address the $2.5 billion maintenance backlog for their museums. In recent months, she has asked that Smithsonian officials find private donations to help Congress pay for it.

“The first big test of the newly reorganized Board will be finding new and innovative solutions to close the growing facilities and maintenance backlog at the Smithsonian,” she said in the statement. “Their recent decision not to proceed with a public/private partnership to redevelop the historic Arts and Industries building concerns me. But I do believe they are better equipped now than ever to tackle this growing problem head on.”

The GAO report lists several things the Smithsonian still has to work on — namely, communications with stakeholders. The board needs to engage advisory boards more, it states, and consider more information when making decisions.