Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill requires the probationary period before an appointment in the competitive civil service or an initial appointment as a supervisor or manager becomes final to be: (1) with respect to any position that requires formal training, a period of two years beginning on the date that such training is completed; (2) with respect to any position that requires a license, a period of two years beginning on the date that such license is granted; and (3) with respect to any other position, at least two years. The probationary period for a preference eligible (i.e., a veteran) initially appointed to a position that exists as of 180 days after the enactment of this Act shall not be longer than the period that applies on such date. The probationary period for a preference eligible appointed to a position that does not exist on such date shall not be longer than the length of time the President establishes.

Each agency must ensure that: (1) announcements of vacant positions and offers of appointment clearly state the terms and conditions of the probationary period, (2) individuals who are required to complete probationary periods receive timely notice of requirements to successfully complete the probationary period, and (3) certification of such successful completion is made.

(Sec. 2) The bill increases from one to two years the probationary period after which an individual's appointment as a career appointee in the Senior Executive Service becomes final.

(Sec. 3) The definition of "employee" for purposes of adverse action provisions is revised to mean an individual in the competitive service or in the excepted service who has completed at least two years (currently, one year) of current continuous service in the same or a similar position.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill requires probationary period appointment competitive civil service initial appointment supervisor manager final respect position requires formal training period years beginning date training completed respect position requires license period years beginning date license granted respect position years probationary period preference eligible veteran initially appointed position exists days enactment act shall longer period applies date probationary period preference eligible appointed position exist date shall longer length time president establishes agency ensure announcements vacant positions offers appointment clearly state terms conditions probationary period individuals required complete probationary periods receive timely notice requirements successfully complete probationary period certification successful completion sec bill increases years probationary period individual appointment career appointee senior_executive_service final sec definition employee purposes adverse action provisions revised mean individual competitive service excepted service completed years currently year current continuous service similar position


Summary:
Retired Civil Servant Military Service Restoration Act of 2015

Allows an employee or Member of Congress who has performed military service and who retires on or after September 8, 1982, to make the deposit required for crediting such service under the Civil Service Retirement System at any time before or after the date of separation on which the entitlement to an annuity under such System is based.

Requires such a deposit made after separation, and the annuity or lump-sum payable after such deposit, to include computed interest.

Requires the retirement counselor training program to ensure that employees and Members who served in the Armed Forces are made aware of the provisions governing crediting military service.

retired civil military service restoration act allows employee member congress performed military service retires september deposit required crediting service civil_service_retirement_system time date separation entitlement annuity system based requires deposit separation annuity lump sum payable deposit include computed interest requires retirement counselor training program ensure employees members served armed_forces aware provisions governing crediting military service


Summary:
Federal Intern Protection Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill extends protections against discrimination in a federal workplace based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability to interns (individuals who perform uncompensated voluntary service in a federal agency to earn credit awarded by an educational institution or to learn a trade or occupation) and applicants for internships.

federal intern protection act sec bill extends protections discrimination federal workplace based race color religion sex national origin age disability interns individuals perform uncompensated voluntary service federal agency earn credit awarded educational institution learn trade occupation applicants internships


Summary:
Postal Innovation Act

This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to establish a pilot program to provide nonpostal services through public-private partnerships in five postal districts or regions, including at least one rural area. Such nonpostal services may include financial services, warehousing, experimental postal products market testing, community support services, Internet voting, municipal broadband and public wireless Internet service, emergency broadband Internet service, and passport services. The bill also authorizes the USPS to furnish property and services to a state, local, or tribal government. USPS may use cost savings from providing such services to reinvest in innovation, research and development, and operations.

The bill sets forth conditions under which alcoholic beverages shall be considered mailable. They must be mailed: (1) by a covered shipper, (2) in accordance with delivery requirements otherwise applicable to privately carried shipments, and (3) by a means that ensures direct delivery to a duly authorized agent at a postal facility or to the addressee, who must be at least 21 years of age and must present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of delivery. The alcoholic beverage may not be for resale or other commercial purpose.

The bill authorizes USPS to enter into contracts to upgrade its fleet of vehicles to increase long-term savings by reducing collision, maintenance, fuel, or other costs. USPS must: (1) develop guidelines for carbon dioxide emissions, fuel economy, and safety for its vehicles; and (2) reduce the petroleum consumption of its vehicles by not less than 2% annually through the end of FY2025.

The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study on the feasibility of USPS providing Internet services to the public.

postal innovation_act bill directs postal_service usps establish pilot program provide nonpostal services public private partnerships postal districts regions including rural area nonpostal services include financial_services warehousing experimental postal products market testing community support services internet voting municipal broadband public wireless internet service emergency broadband internet service passport services bill authorizes usps furnish property services state local tribal government usps use cost savings providing services reinvest innovation research development operations bill sets forth conditions alcoholic beverages shall considered mailed covered shipper accordance delivery requirements applicable privately carried shipments means ensures direct delivery duly authorized agent postal facility addressee years age present valid government issued photo identification time delivery alcoholic beverage resale commercial purpose bill authorizes usps enter contracts upgrade fleet vehicles increase long term savings reducing collision maintenance fuel costs usps develop guidelines carbon dioxide emissions fuel economy safety vehicles reduce petroleum consumption vehicles annually end fy2025 government_accountability_office conduct study feasibility usps providing internet services public


Summary:
Locality Pay Equity Act

 This bill: (1) prohibits the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from defining more than one local wage area for prevailing rate employees within a pay locality, except with respect to the pay locality designated as "Rest of United States"; and (2) requires the OPM to ensure that this Act shall not have the effect of reducing any rate of basic pay for any individual who is serving as a prevailing rate employee.

locality pay equity act bill prohibits office_of_personnel_management opm defining local wage area prevailing rate employees pay locality respect pay locality designated rest united_states requires opm ensure act shall effect reducing rate basic pay individual serving prevailing rate employee


Summary:
No Government No Pay Act of 2015

 A Member of Congress may not receive pay, during a government shutdown, equal to the product of 1 day's worth of pay under such annual rate and the number of 24-hour periods during which the government shutdown is in effect. This prohibition is applicable to days occurring during the 115th and succeeding Congresses.

government pay act member congress receive pay government shutdown equal product day worth pay annual rate number hour periods government shutdown effect prohibition applicable days occurring succeeding


Summary:
Federal Firefighter Flexibility and Fairness Act

This bill provides that any hours worked by a firefighter under a qualified trade-of-time arrangement shall be disregarded for purposes of determining eligibility for, or the amount of, any overtime pay. The bill defines "qualified trade-of-time arrangement" as an arrangement under which two firefighters who are employed by the same agency agree, solely at their option and with the approval of their employing agency, to substitute for one another during scheduled work hours in the performance of work in the same capacity.

federal firefighter flexibility fairness act bill provides hours worked firefighter qualified trade time arrangement shall disregarded purposes determining eligibility overtime pay bill defines qualified trade time arrangement arrangement firefighters employed agency agree solely option approval employing agency substitute scheduled work hours performance work capacity


Summary:
Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act

This bill requires federal employees furloughed due to a lapse in appropriations that begins on or about October 1, 2015, to be compensated at their standard rate of compensation for the period of such lapse as soon as practicable after such lapse ends.

federal employee retroactive pay fairness act bill requires federal employees lapse appropriations begins october compensated standard rate compensation period lapse soon practicable lapse ends


Summary:
Congressional Death Benefit Elimination Act of 2015

This bill declares that no payment of death gratuities may be made to surviving heirs of deceased Members of Congress from congressional accounts or any other appropriated funds.

congressional death benefit elimination act bill declares payment death gratuities surviving heirs deceased members congress congressional accounts appropriated funds


Summary:
Senior Executive Service Taking Responsibility for Unilateral Station Transfers Act or the SES TRUST Act

This bill directs the appointing authority for each agency to periodically determine the annual rate of basic pay for each Senior Executive Service (SES) position within such agency. Any senior executive who transfers or otherwise moves to an SES position with the same or any other agency shall receive the rate of pay applicable to that position.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must review any decision to reassign a senior executive to another SES position, within 30 days after such reassignment, to ensure that the decision was not based on an impermissible reason (defined as any reason other than performance of the senior executive or interests in the efficiency of the SES). If OPM determines that the reassignment was based on an impermissible reason, and the rate of basic pay applicable to such other position is lower than the rate provided under the previous position, the senior executive shall retain the higher rate of pay.

The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit, semiannually, a report on covered senior executives who transfer from one SES position to another within the VA, including a justification for any increase or decrease in pay, and information on any incentives or relocation expenses, received by such person.

senior_executive_service taking responsibility unilateral station transfers act ses trust act bill directs appointing authority agency periodically determine annual rate basic pay senior_executive_service ses position agency senior executive transfers moves ses position agency shall receive rate pay applicable position office_of_personnel_management opm review decision reassign senior executive ses position days reassignment ensure decision based impermissible reason defined reason performance senior executive interests efficiency ses opm determines reassignment based impermissible reason rate basic pay applicable position lower rate provided previous position senior executive shall retain higher rate pay bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs submit semiannually report covered senior executives transfer ses position including justification increase decrease pay information incentives relocation expenses received person


Summary: This bill repeals specified authorizations for office space, office expenses, franking and printing privileges, and staff for former Speakers of the House.

bill repeals specified authorizations office space office expenses printing privileges staff speakers house


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Senior Executive Service Accountability Act

(Sec. 2) This bill revises personnel requirements for employees in the Senior Executive Service (SES) to:

 require each federal agency to include in its biennial report to the Office of Personnel Management a justification for certain SES positions and the specific result expected from each position, including the impact of such result on the agency mission; extend the probationary period for SES employees from one year to two years; eliminate the authority for allowing an SES employee removed for a less than fully successful executive performance to retain an SES pay grade level if appointed to a civil service position; require a written description of employee performance requirements to be provided to SES employees by 30 calendar days before each rating period; make SES employees subject to the same 14-day (or less) suspension period, without duties and pay, as is applicable to other federal employees; expand the grounds for suspension or termination of an SES employee to include such cause as would promote the efficiency of the SES; allow an agency to place an SES employee on mandatory leave for misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or such cause as would promote the efficiency of the SES; provide for expedited removal of SES employees for performance or misconduct and for an expedited appeals process for removals; and require mandatory reassignments of SES employees at least once every five years.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure senior_executive_service accountability_act sec bill revises personnel requirements employees senior_executive_service ses require federal agency include biennial report office_of_personnel_management justification certain ses positions specific result expected position including impact result agency mission extend probationary period ses employees year years eliminate authority allowing ses employee removed fully successful executive performance retain ses pay grade level appointed civil service position require written description employee performance requirements provided ses employees calendar days rating period ses employees subject day suspension period duties pay applicable federal employees expand grounds suspension termination ses employee include cause promote efficiency ses allow agency place ses employee mandatory leave misconduct neglect duty cause promote efficiency ses provide expedited removal ses employees performance misconduct expedited appeals process removals require mandatory ses employees years


Summary:
Administrative Leave Reform Act

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits placing a federal employee on administrative leave, or any other paid non-duty status without charge to leave, for more than 14 total days for reasons relating to misconduct or performance.

After an employee has been placed on administrative leave for 14 days, the employing agency: (1) shall return the employee to duty status, utilizing telework if available, and assign the employee to duties if such employee is not a threat to safety, the agency mission, or government property; or (2) may place an employee who is found to be such a threat on extended administrative leave for additional periods of not more than 30 days each.

For any additional period of 30 days granted to the employee after the initial 30-day extension, the agency shall submit a report containing:

 the title, position, office or agency subcomponent, job series, pay grade, and salary of the employee; a description of the employee's work duties; the reason for the administrative leave; an explanation as to why the employee is such a threat; an explanation as to why the employee is not able to telework or be reassigned to another position within the agency; the status of any pending related investigation and a certification that such additional time is needed; and the results of a completed investigation and the reason that the employee remains on administrative leave. An investigative entity must certify to the applicable agency that such additional time is needed and include an estimate of the length of such additional time.

 An agency may not grant such additional period of administrative leave to an employee on or after 30 days following the completion of a related investigation.

administrative leave reform_act sec bill prohibits placing federal employee administrative leave paid non duty status charge leave total days reasons relating misconduct performance employee placed administrative leave days employing agency shall return employee duty status utilizing telework available assign employee duties employee threat safety agency mission government property place employee found threat extended administrative leave additional periods days additional period days granted employee initial day extension agency shall submit report containing title position office agency job series pay grade salary employee description employee work duties reason administrative leave explanation employee threat explanation employee able telework reassigned position agency status pending related investigation certification additional time needed results completed investigation reason employee remains administrative leave investigative entity certify applicable agency additional time needed include estimate length additional time agency grant additional period administrative leave employee days following completion related investigation


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 16, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Official Personnel File Enhancement Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires that a permanent notation be made in the official personnel record file of a federal employee in the competitive or excepted service who is the subject of a personnel investigation and who resigns prior to the resolution of such investigation, if an adverse finding is made against such employee at the close of such investigation.

The bill defines "personnel investigation" to include: (1) an investigation by an Inspector General; and (2) an adverse personnel action as a result of performance, misconduct, or for such cause as will promote the efficiency of the service under provisions relating to performance appraisals or adverse actions.

The agency employing such employee shall make such notation within 40 days after the resolution of such investigation.

Prior to making such notation, the agency shall:

 notify the employee in writing within 5 days of such resolution and provide such employee a copy of the adverse finding and any supporting documentation, provide the employee at least 30 days to respond in writing and to furnish affidavits and other documentary evidence to show why the adverse finding was unfounded, and provide a written decision regarding such notation and the specific reasons to the employee at the earliest practicable date. The bill entitles an employee to appeal the agency's decision to the Merit Systems Protection Board. Such an appeal shall be noted in the employee's file while the appeal is pending. If the employee is the prevailing party on appeal, the agency shall remove the notation regarding the adverse finding from the employee's file within two weeks after the Board issues its decision.

(Sec. 3) The bill requires any federal government appointing authority to review and consider the personnel file of a former federal employee who is a candidate for a position within the competitive or excepted service prior to appointing or reinstating such employee to such a position.

measure amended reported house march summary version repeated official personnel file enhancement_act sec bill requires permanent notation official personnel record file federal employee competitive excepted service subject personnel investigation prior resolution investigation adverse finding employee close investigation bill defines personnel investigation include investigation inspector_general adverse personnel action result performance misconduct cause promote efficiency service provisions relating performance appraisals adverse actions agency employing employee shall notation days resolution investigation prior making notation agency shall notify employee writing days resolution provide employee copy adverse finding supporting documentation provide employee days respond writing furnish affidavits documentary evidence adverse finding provide written decision notation specific reasons employee earliest practicable date bill entitles employee appeal agency decision merit_systems_protection_board appeal shall employee file appeal pending employee prevailing party appeal agency shall remove notation adverse finding employee file weeks board issues decision sec bill requires federal_government appointing authority review consider personnel file federal employee candidate position competitive excepted service prior appointing reinstating employee position


Summary: This bill provides for appellate review by the Merit Systems Protection Board for employees or applicants for employment who were determined ineligible for a sensitive position if: (1) such position does not require a security clearance or access to classified information, and (2) such determination is otherwise appealable.

bill provides appellate review merit_systems_protection_board employees applicants employment determined ineligible sensitive position position require security clearance access classified information determination


Summary:
Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act or the FAIR Act

 This bill increases the rates of basic pay for federal employees under the statutory pay systems (relating to the General Schedule, the U.S. Foreign Service, and the Veterans Health Administration) and for prevailing rate employees by 3.9% for FY2017.

The percentage adjustment for locality-based comparability payments for calendar year 2017 shall be an increase of 1.4%.

federal adjustment income rates act fair act bill increases rates basic pay federal employees statutory pay systems relating general_schedule foreign_service veterans_health_administration prevailing rate employees fy2017 percentage adjustment locality based comparability payments calendar year shall increase


Summary:
DOD Workforce Flexibility Act of 2016

This bill permits employees of the Department of Defense (DOD) who are serving in a temporary position in the competitive service to compete for vacant permanent positions in the competitive service under DOD's merit promotion procedures.

dod workforce flexibility act bill permits employees department_of_defense dod serving temporary position competitive service compete vacant permanent positions competitive service dod merit promotion procedures


Summary:
No Budget, No Pay Act

This bill withholds the salaries of Members of a house of Congress that has not agreed to a budget resolution for FY2017 by April 15, 2016, as required by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

Salaries are withheld from April 16, 2016, until the earlier of the date that the house of Congress agrees to a budget resolution or the last day of the 114th Congress.

budget pay act bill withholds salaries members house congress agreed budget resolution fy2017 april required congressional_budget_act salaries withheld april earlier date house congress agrees budget resolution day congress


Summary:
American Dream Employment Act of 2016

This bill amends the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 to permit the compensation of congressional employees who have been issued employment authorization documents under the Department of Homeland Security's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program.

The program enables many unlawfully present aliens who came to the United States as children to be granted deferred action (a type of relief from removal which does not confer immigration status) and work authorization.

american dream employment act bill amends consolidated_appropriations_act permit compensation congressional employees issued employment authorization documents department_of_homeland_security deferred_action_for_childhood_arrivals program program enables unlawfully present aliens came united_states children granted deferred action type relief removal confer immigration status work authorization


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill applies provisions governing availability pay for criminal investigators to any employee of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations who is a law enforcement officer.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated bill applies provisions governing availability pay criminal investigators employee customs border_protection air marine operations law enforcement officer


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill allows otherwise eligible employees of a land management agency serving under a time-limited appointment in the competitive service to compete for a permanent appointment in the competitive service: (1) at such agency when the agency is accepting applications from individuals within the agency's workforce under merit promotion procedures, or (2) at any agency when the agency is accepting applications from individuals outside its own workforce under its merit promotion procedures.

A former employee of a land management agency who served under a time-limited appointment and who otherwise meets applicable requirements shall be deemed a time-limited employee of the agency from which the former employee was most recently separated.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated bill allows eligible employees land management agency serving time limited appointment competitive service compete permanent appointment competitive service agency agency accepting applications individuals agency workforce merit promotion procedures agency agency accepting applications individuals outside workforce merit promotion procedures employee land management agency served time limited appointment meets applicable requirements shall deemed time limited employee agency employee recently separated


Summary:
No Work, No Pay Act of 2016

 This bill prohibits placing a federal employee on administrative leave, or any other paid non-duty status without charge to leave, for more than 30 consecutive days for reasons relating to misconduct or performance.

In the case of an employee placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, an agency may grant an extension of administrative leave for additional periods of up to 30 consecutive days each if the office investigating the employee submits a report to Congress and the agency certifying that additional time is needed.

work pay act bill prohibits placing federal employee administrative leave paid non duty status charge leave consecutive days reasons relating misconduct performance case employee placed administrative leave pending investigation agency grant extension administrative leave additional periods consecutive days office investigating employee submits report congress agency certifying additional time needed


Summary:
No Hires for the Delinquent Congress Act

This bill prohibits any legislative branch office from extending an offer of employment to any individual until the applicable certifying official (the Speaker of the House and/or the President pro tempore of the Senate) submits to Congress either: (1) a written certification that the office does not employ any individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt, or (2) a report detailing why the certification cannot be made.

The certifying official's report when such a certification is not made must:

 state that the certification cannot be made, explain why the certification is not possible, outline remedial actions required for the certifying official to be in a position to so certify, and indicate the time required for those actions to be completed. A seriously delinquent tax debt is an outstanding tax debt for which the Internal Revenue Service has filed a notice of lien in public records, excluding a tax debt: (1) that is being paid in a timely manner under an approved installment payment agreement or an offer-in-compromise, (2) for which a collection due process hearing has been requested or is pending, (3) for which a tax levy has been issued, or (4) with respect to which relief has been granted due to economic hardship.

hires delinquent congress act bill prohibits legislative branch office extending offer employment individual applicable certifying official speaker house president pro tempore senate submits congress written certification office employ individual seriously delinquent tax debt report detailing certification certifying official report certification state certification explain certification possible outline remedial actions required certifying official position certify indicate time required actions completed seriously delinquent tax debt outstanding tax debt internal_revenue_service filed notice lien public records excluding tax debt paid timely manner approved installment payment agreement offer compromise collection process hearing requested pending tax levy issued respect relief granted economic hardship


Summary:
HHS Data Protection Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to create the position of Chief Information Security Officer of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and transfer to this position the functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Chief Information Security Officer in the Office of the Chief Information Officer of HHS. The Chief Information Security Officer is appointed by the President.

HHS must report on the Chief Information Security Officer's plan to oversee and coordinate information security programs and the steps being taken in each division to implement the plan.

hhs data protection act bill amends public_health_service_act create position chief information security officer department_of_health_and_human_services hhs office assistant secretary administration transfer position functions personnel assets liabilities chief information security officer office chief information officer hhs chief information security officer appointed president hhs report chief information security officer plan oversee coordinate information security programs steps taken division implement plan


Summary:
This bill prohibits the use of funds made available in or after FY2016 by an executive agency for yoga classes or any other form of yoga instruction.

The bill defines "executive agency" to include the U.S. Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission, but excludes the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs.

bill prohibits use funds available fy2016 executive agency classes form instruction bill defines executive agency include postal_service postal_regulatory_commission excludes departments_of_defense homeland_security veterans_affairs


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 20, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Modernizing Government Travel Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to prescribe regulations to provide for the reimbursement of federal employees traveling on official business for the use of a transportation network company or innovative mobility technology. The Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall prescribe such regulations with respect to judicial branch employees.

An "innovative mobility technology company" is an entity that applies technology to expand and enhance available transportation choices, better manage demand for transportation services, and provide alternatives to driving alone.

A "transportation network company" is an entity that uses a digital network to connect riders to drivers affiliated with such entity in order for a driver to provide transportation services to a rider.

(Sec. 3) The bill revises the reporting requirements regarding payments pertaining to official travel.

By November 31 of each year, each agency shall submit to the GSA, in a format prescribed by it and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), an analysis of the total costs of transportation service by type and the total number of trips utilizing each transportation type for purposes of official travel.

The GSA shall make the data submitted publicly available upon receipt.

By January 31 of each year, the GSA shall submit to the OMB and to specified congressional committees: (1) an analysis of the data submitted for specified agencies (as listed under a provision regarding the establishment of agency Chief Financial Officers), and (2) a description of any new regulations promulgated or changes to existing regulations authorized.

measure amended reported house september summary version repeated modernizing government travel act sec bill requires general_services_administration gsa prescribe regulations provide reimbursement federal employees traveling official business use transportation network company innovative mobility technology administrative_office_of_the_united_states_courts shall prescribe regulations respect judicial_branch employees innovative mobility technology company entity applies technology expand enhance available transportation choices better manage demand transportation services provide alternatives driving transportation network company entity uses digital network connect riders drivers affiliated entity order driver provide transportation services rider sec bill revises reporting requirements payments pertaining official travel november year agency shall submit gsa format prescribed approved office_of_management_and_budget omb analysis total costs transportation service type total number trips utilizing transportation type purposes official travel gsa shall data submitted publicly available receipt january year gsa shall submit omb specified congressional committees analysis data submitted specified agencies listed provision establishment agency chief financial officers description new regulations promulgated changes existing regulations authorized


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Tested Ability to Leverage Exceptional National Talent Act of 2016 or the TALENT Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill codifies provisions establishing the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program (originally established pursuant to Executive Order 13704) to encourage successful entrepreneurs, executives, and innovators to join the government and work in close cooperation with government leaders to create meaningful solutions that can help save lives and taxpayer money, fuel job creation, and significantly improve how the government serves the American people.

The General Services Administration (GSA) shall continue the program in order to enable exceptional individuals with proven track records to serve time-limited appointments in executive agencies to address some of the nation's most significant challenges and improve existing government efforts that would particularly benefit from expertise using innovative techniques and technology.

The program shall be administered by a Director, who shall appoint program fellows and facilitate their placement to participate in projects that have the potential for significant positive effects and that are consistent with the President's goals.

The GSA shall continue an advisory board to recommend priorities and standards for fulfilling the program's mission and to assist in identifying potential projects and placements for fellows.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure tested ability leverage exceptional national talent act talent act sec bill codifies provisions establishing presidential innovation fellows program originally established pursuant executive order encourage successful entrepreneurs executives innovators join government work close cooperation government leaders create meaningful solutions help save lives taxpayer money fuel job creation significantly improve government serves american people general_services_administration gsa shall continue program order enable exceptional individuals proven track records serve time limited appointments executive agencies address nation significant challenges improve existing government efforts particularly benefit expertise innovative techniques technology program shall administered director shall appoint program fellows facilitate placement participate projects potential significant positive effects consistent president goals gsa shall continue advisory_board recommend priorities standards fulfilling program mission assist identifying potential projects placements fellows


Summary:
Taking Responsibility Using Secured Technologies Act of 2016

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should have any security clearance she holds revoked and should be denied access to classified information unless she earns the legal right to such access, and (2) any of her colleagues who demonstrated extreme carelessness in their handling of classified information should no longer have access to that information.

The bill prohibits granting a security clearance to, and requires revocation of the security clearance of, any federal officer or employee who has exercised extreme carelessness in the handling of classified information.

The bill also amends a provision of the federal criminal code that subjects to criminal penalties anyone entrusted with, or having lawful possession or control of, national defense information who, through gross negligence, permits that information to be removed from its proper place of custody or delivered to anyone or to be lost, stolen, abstracted, or destroyed. The bill explicitly states that "gross negligence," for these purposes, includes extreme or reckless carelessness.

taking responsibility secured technologies act bill expresses sense congress secretary state clinton security clearance holds revoked denied access classified information earns legal right access demonstrated extreme handling classified information longer access information bill prohibits granting security clearance requires revocation security clearance federal officer employee exercised extreme handling classified information bill amends provision federal criminal code subjects criminal penalties having lawful possession control national defense information gross negligence permits information removed proper place custody delivered lost stolen destroyed bill explicitly states gross negligence purposes includes extreme reckless


Summary:
Federal Bureau of Investigation Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill revises a provision with respect to whistle-blower protections for a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) employee or job applicant who discloses wrongdoing to an appropriate official.

It prohibits an FBI employee from taking or failing to take a personnel action (e.g., demotion) with respect to an FBI employee or applicant because of a protected disclosure. A protected disclosure is a disclosure of information to an appropriate official which an employee or applicant reasonably believes evidences: (1) a violation of a law, rule, or regulation; or (2) waste, fraud, or abuse.

Additionally, the bill expands the list of appropriate officials who may receive a protected disclosure to include, among others, a supervisor in an employee's direct chain of command.

federal_bureau_of_investigation whistleblower protection enhancement_act sec bill revises provision respect whistle blower protections federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi employee job applicant discloses wrongdoing appropriate official prohibits fbi employee taking failing personnel action demotion respect fbi employee applicant protected disclosure protected disclosure disclosure information appropriate official employee applicant reasonably believes evidences violation law rule regulation waste fraud abuse additionally bill expands list appropriate officials receive protected disclosure include supervisor employee direct chain command


Summary:
Federal Employee Accountability Act of 2016 or FEAA

This bill allows federal agencies, under Office of Personnel Management regulations, to remove certain employees from civil service or to reduce their grade or pay.

An employee may appeal within 7 days to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), which must refer the case to an administrative judge to expedite a final decision within 45 days after the MSPB receives the appeal.

If the administrative judge cannot reach a decision within 45 days, the removal or reduction becomes final. But the MSPB must explain to Congress why a decision was not issued.

federal employee accountability_act bill allows federal agencies office_of_personnel_management regulations remove certain employees civil service reduce grade pay employee appeal days merit_systems_protection_board mspb refer case administrative judge expedite final decision days mspb receives appeal administrative judge reach decision days removal reduction final mspb explain congress decision issued


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act

(Sec. 2) This bill extends federal contractor whistle-blower protections to employees of: (1) personal services contractors working on defense contracts (currently, the protections apply to employees of defense contractors, subcontractors, grantees, or subgrantees); and (2) personal services contractors or subgrantees working on federal civilian contracts (currently, the protections apply to employees of civilian contractors, subcontractors, or grantees). The civilian contractor protections, which are currently in effect as a pilot program, are made permanent.

The bill extends the prohibition against reimbursement of legal fees incurred in defending against reprisal claims brought by whistle-blowers to defense and civilian subcontractors and personal services contractors.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure whistleblower protections contractors act sec bill extends federal contractor whistle blower protections employees personal services contractors working defense contracts currently protections apply employees defense contractors subcontractors grantees subgrantees personal services contractors subgrantees working federal civilian contracts currently protections apply employees civilian contractors subcontractors grantees civilian contractor protections currently effect pilot program permanent bill extends prohibition reimbursement legal fees incurred defending reprisal claims brought whistle blowers defense civilian subcontractors personal services contractors


Summary:
Transit Benefits Modernization Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat the use of a transportation network company by federal employees during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this bill and ending on December 31, 2018, as a qualified transportation fringe benefit that is excluded from an employee's gross income.

A "transportation network company" is a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity that uses a digital network to connect riders to drivers affiliated with the entity in order for a driver to provide transportation services to a rider.

(Sec. 3) During the period beginning on the date of enactment of this bill and ending on December 31, 2018, any agency that provides transit benefits to employees must provide benefits for using digital transportation companies within the Washington Metropolitan Area in the same manner as benefits are provided for using public transportation services in the area.

A "digital transportation company" is any transportation network company or car-sharing service (a membership or non-membership based service primarily designed for shorter time or shorter distance trips where individuals are charged per mile or per hour, or both, for vehicle usage).

To elect to receive benefits under this section, an employee must agree in writing not to accept any other transit or parking benefit offered by any agency with a transit benefit program while receiving the benefits under this section.

The amount of transit benefits provided to an employee under this section may not exceed the monthly average transit benefit received by the employee during the six-month period immediately preceding the month during which an election is made.

transit benefits modernization act sec bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code treat use transportation network company federal employees period beginning date enactment bill ending december qualified transportation fringe benefit excluded employee gross income transportation network company corporation partnership sole proprietorship entity uses digital network connect riders drivers affiliated entity order driver provide transportation services rider sec period beginning date enactment bill ending december agency provides transit benefits employees provide benefits digital transportation companies washington metropolitan area manner benefits provided public transportation services area digital transportation company transportation network company car sharing service membership non membership based service primarily designed shorter time shorter distance trips individuals charged mile hour vehicle usage elect receive benefits section employee agree writing accept transit parking benefit offered agency transit benefit program receiving benefits section transit benefits provided employee section exceed monthly average transit benefit received employee month period immediately preceding month election


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Follow the Rules Act

(Sec. 2) This bill extends the prohibition (regarding employment in the federal government) against a person taking, failing to take, or threatening to take or fail to take a personnel action against any employee or applicant for employment for refusing to obey an order that would require the individual to violate a law to personnel actions against such an individual for refusing to obey an order that would violate a rule or regulation.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure follow rules act sec bill extends prohibition employment federal_government person taking failing threatening fail personnel action employee applicant employment refusing obey order require individual violate law personnel actions individual refusing obey order violate rule regulation


Summary:
Fair Pay for Presidential Protection Act

This bill creates an exception to a limitation on premium pay for U.S. Secret Service personnel performing protective services during any year in which a presidential election is held to the extent that payment of such pay does not cause: (1) the aggregate total of basic and premium pay for any pay period to exceed the biweekly equivalent of the annual salary rate established for level I of the Executive Schedule; or (2) the total basic and premium pay in any calendar year to exceed the annual salary rate established for such level.

 Such additional premium pay shall not be considered or creditable as basic pay for purposes of retirement or any other purpose and shall not be used in computing payment for accumulated and accrued annual leave.

The Director of the Secret Service may act as the head of an agency in applying such annual limitation on premium pay in calendar years in which a presidential election is not held.

fair pay presidential protection act bill creates exception limitation premium pay secret_service personnel performing protective services year presidential election held extent payment pay cause aggregate total basic premium pay pay period exceed biweekly equivalent annual salary rate established level executive schedule total basic premium pay calendar year exceed annual salary rate established level additional premium pay shall considered creditable basic pay purposes retirement purpose shall computing payment accumulated accrued annual leave director secret_service act head agency applying annual limitation premium pay calendar years presidential election held


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill provides that of the three members appointed to the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance to replace the three members whose terms expire in March 2017, one shall have a three-year term and two shall have a four-year term. (The OOC was established by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to administer and enforce that Act and to assist Members of Congress in understanding their rights and responsibilities under workplace and accessibility laws.)

The board members appointed to replace the two members whose terms expire in May 2017 shall each have a five-year term.

This bill allows a board member whose term expires in: (1) March 2017 to be reappointed to serve one additional three or four-year term, and (2) May 2017 to be reappointed to serve an additional five-year term. Such board members may not be reappointed to any additional terms after their additional term expires.

The bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to permit a board member to serve after his or her term has expired until a successor has taken office.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill provides members appointed board_of_directors office_of_compliance replace members terms expire march shall year term shall year term established congressional_accountability_act administer enforce act assist members congress understanding rights responsibilities workplace accessibility laws board members appointed replace members terms expire shall year term bill allows board member term expires march reappointed serve additional year term reappointed serve additional year term board members reappointed additional terms additional term expires bill amends congressional_accountability_act permit board member serve term expired successor taken office


Summary: This bill prohibits an individual occupying a political position in the civil service from being appointed to a career position in the civil service for two years after the individual separates from such political position.

bill prohibits individual occupying political position civil service appointed career position civil service years individual separates political position


Summary:
This bill makes the President personally responsible for paying for any additional security measures, including protection from the U.S. Secret Service, with respect to property in which the President holds an ownership interest.

"Property" is defined to include any property from which the President receives revenue.

 No amounts may be appropriated to pay for such measures.

bill makes president personally responsible paying additional security measures including protection secret_service respect property president holds ownership interest property defined include property president receives revenue amounts appropriated pay measures


Summary:
No Exemption for Washington from Obamacare Act

Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to extend the requirement for participation in the American Health Benefit Exchange (a state health insurance exchange created by PPACA) to the President, Vice President, executive branch political appointees, and employees of congressional committees and leadership offices of Congress (currently, this requirement applies to Members of Congress and their staff). Prohibits any government contribution to or subsidy for the health insurance coverage of such officials and employees.

exemption washington obamacare act amends patient_protection affordable care act ppaca extend requirement participation american_health_benefit_exchange state health insurance exchange created ppaca president vice president executive branch political appointees employees congressional committees leadership offices congress currently requirement applies members congress staff prohibits government contribution subsidy health insurance coverage officials employees


Summary: Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

amends legislative reorganization act eliminate automatic pay adjustments members congress


Summary:
No Budget, No Pay Act

Prohibits the payment of any pay to any Member of Congress (excluding the Vice President): (1) if both houses of Congress have not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget for a fiscal year before October 1 of that fiscal year and have not passed all the regular appropriations bills for the next fiscal year by such date, or (2) until both houses of Congress approve such a budget resolution and pass all such appropriations bills. Prohibits any retroactive pay for such a period.

budget pay act prohibits payment pay member congress excluding vice president houses congress approved concurrent resolution budget fiscal year october fiscal year passed regular appropriations bills fiscal year date houses congress approve budget resolution pass appropriations bills prohibits retroactive pay period


Summary:
Show Your Exemption Act

Requires the House of Representatives and the Senate to make publicly available the determinations of each Member of the House of Representatives and each Senator regarding the designation of their employees (including leadership and committee staff) as congressional staff for purposes of requiring those employees to enroll in health insurance coverage offered through a health benefit exchange as required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Requires the absence of designation of an employee as congressional staff to be noted in the determination along with a statement that the absence of that designation permits the employee to remain in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.

exemption act requires house_of_representatives senate publicly available determinations member house_of_representatives senator designation employees including leadership committee staff congressional staff purposes requiring employees enroll health insurance coverage offered health benefit exchange required patient_protection affordable care act requires absence designation employee congressional staff determination statement absence designation permits employee remain federal employee health benefits program


Summary:
Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act of 2015 or the FAIR Act

 Increases by 3.8% in FY2016 the rate of basic pay for federal employees under the statutory pay systems (relating to the General Schedule, the U.S. Foreign Service, and the Veterans Health Administration) and for prevailing rate employees.

federal adjustment income rates act fair act increases fy2016 rate basic pay federal employees statutory pay systems relating general_schedule foreign_service veterans_health_administration prevailing rate employees


Summary:
Citizen Empowerment Act

Requires any executive agency employee who is conducting a covered interaction with an individual to allow the individual to make an audio recording of such interaction at the individual's expense and with the individual's equipment. Defines "covered interaction" as an in-person or telephonic official interaction relating to a possible violation of a federal statute or regulation that could result in the imposition of a fine or penalty against, the forfeiture of property by, or the collection of an unpaid tax, fine, or penalty from, the individual or a business owned or operated by the individual.

Permits the employee conducting a covered interaction to record it if the employee: (1) informs the individual prior to or at the initiation of the interaction, and (2) provides the individual with a transcript or copy of the recording upon request and with the individual's reimbursement.

Requires the employee, before or at an initial covered interaction, to provide to the individual a verbal or written notice of such individual's rights under this Act.

Exempts any such interaction that is likely to include the discussion of: (1) classified material; or (2) information that, if released publicly, would endanger public safety or an ongoing criminal investigation.

Subjects any executive agency employee who violates this Act to disciplinary action.

citizen empowerment act requires executive agency employee conducting covered interaction individual allow individual audio recording interaction individual expense individual equipment defines covered interaction person telephonic official interaction relating possible violation federal statute regulation result imposition fine penalty forfeiture property collection unpaid tax fine penalty individual business owned operated individual permits employee conducting covered interaction record employee informs individual prior initiation interaction provides individual transcript copy recording request individual reimbursement requires employee initial covered interaction provide individual verbal written notice individual rights act exempts interaction likely include discussion classified material information released publicly endanger public safety ongoing criminal investigation subjects executive agency employee violates act disciplinary action


Summary:
Don't Tax Our Fallen Public Safety Heroes Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, federal public safety officer death benefits or amounts paid under a state program to surviving dependents of a public safety officer who died as the direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty.

tax fallen public safety heroes act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude gross income income tax purposes federal public safety officer death benefits amounts paid state program surviving dependents public safety officer died direct proximate result personal injury sustained line duty


Summary:
Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2015

Makes any individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt ineligible to receive a bonus from a federal agency (i.e., an executive agency, the U.S. Postal Service, the Postal Regulatory Commission, or an employing agency in the legislative branch). Defines "seriously delinquent tax debt" as an outstanding tax debt for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records. Exempts a tax debt: (1) that is being paid in a timely manner under an approved installment payment agreement or an offer-in-compromise, (2) for which a collection due process hearing has been requested or pending, (3) for which a levy has been issued or agreed to by an applicant for employment, or (4) that is determined to be an economic hardship to the taxpayer.

Requires each agency to review public records to determine if a notice of tax lien has been filed against an agency employee or applicant for employment. Prohibits an agency head or agency employee from using or disclosing tax delinquency information other than for the administration of this Act.

federal employee tax accountability_act makes individual seriously delinquent tax debt ineligible receive bonus federal agency executive agency postal_service postal_regulatory_commission employing agency legislative branch defines seriously delinquent tax debt outstanding tax debt notice lien filed public records exempts tax debt paid timely manner approved installment payment agreement offer compromise collection process hearing requested pending levy issued agreed applicant employment determined economic hardship taxpayer requires agency review public records determine notice tax lien filed agency employee applicant employment prohibits agency head agency employee disclosing tax delinquency information administration act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Eliminating Government-funded Oil-painting Act or the EGO Act

(Sec. 2) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the federal government to pay for an official portrait of an officer or employee of the federal government, including the President, the Vice President, a Member of Congress, the head of an executive agency, or the head of an office of the legislative branch.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure eliminating government funded oil act act sec prohibits use funds appropriated available federal_government pay official officer employee federal_government including president vice president member congress head executive agency head office legislative branch


Summary:
Government Employee Accountability Act

Sets forth guidelines for placing career employees of the Senior Executive Service (SES) on investigative leave. Defines "investigative leave" as a temporary absence without duty for disciplinary reasons, for not more than 90 days.

Authorizes a federal agency to: (1) place an SES employee on investigative leave, without loss of pay and without charge to annual or sick leave, only for alleged misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or misappropriation of funds; (2) place such employee on leave without pay if such employee's alleged conduct is determined to be serious or flagrant; or (3) remove such employee if such employee acted in a manner that endangers the interest of the agency mission.

Requires an agency to periodically review the investigation into the conduct of an SES employee placed on investigative leave and take certain actions with respect to such employee at the end of a period of investigative leave, including removal, suspension without pay, or reinstatement to duty. Grants an employee placed on investigative leave certain rights, including: (1) advance written notice of, and a reasonable time (not less than seven days) to answer, charges; (2) the right to be represented by an attorney; and (3) the right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Includes misappropriation of funds as a ground in suspending or reinstating an SES employee or placing such employee in another civil service position.

government employee accountability_act sets forth guidelines placing career employees senior_executive_service ses investigative leave defines investigative leave temporary absence duty disciplinary reasons days authorizes federal agency place ses employee investigative leave loss pay charge annual sick leave alleged misconduct neglect duty misappropriation funds place employee leave pay employee alleged conduct determined flagrant remove employee employee acted manner endangers interest agency mission requires agency periodically review investigation conduct ses employee placed investigative leave certain actions respect employee end period investigative leave including removal suspension pay reinstatement duty grants employee placed investigative leave certain rights including advance written notice reasonable time seven days answer charges right represented attorney right appeal merit_systems_protection_board includes misappropriation funds ground suspending reinstating ses employee placing employee civil service position


Summary:
Correctional Officer Fairness Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the 10% additional tax on early distributions from tax-exempt retirement plans distributions from a thrift savings fund to a qualified federal correctional officer who has reached age 50 or has completed 25 years of credible service, whichever is earlier. Defines "qualified federal correctional officer" as an individual who is employed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a correctional officer and has completed 20 years of creditable service.

correctional officer fairness act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exempt additional tax early distributions tax exempt retirement plans distributions thrift_savings_fund qualified federal correctional officer reached age completed years credible service whichever earlier defines qualified federal correctional officer individual employed federal_bureau_of_prisons correctional officer completed years creditable service


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Security Clearance Accountability, Reform, and Enhancement Act of 2015

TITLE I--SECURITY CLEARANCE ACCOUNTABILITY, REFORM, AND ENHANCEMENT

(Sec. 102) This bill: (1) deems a federal agency employee to be unfit for federal employment if the agency determines that the employee has engaged in misconduct affecting the integrity of a background investigation, including falsification of any information relating to such an investigation (covered misconduct); (2) prohibits an individual who has engaged in covered misconduct from being appointed to or continuing to occupy a position that requires the performance of background investigations; (3) extends such sanctions to employees performing background investigations under a contract between an agency and a prime contractor and subcontractors (covered contract); and (4) requires a covered contract to include provisions requiring mandatory disclosure of covered misconduct within 24 hours after the contractor discovers such misconduct and referral to the agency for investigation.

The President must report annually to Congress on: (1) the number of individuals determined to be unfit for federal employment due to covered misconduct or ineligible to perform work under a covered contract, and (2) the details of such misconduct.

(Sec. 103) The President must: (1) review and update guidance to assist agencies in determining position sensitivity designation and the appropriate background investigation to initiate for each position designation; (2) review, not less frequently than every five years, and revise the position designation of positions within federal agencies; and (3) report on any issues identified and the number of position designations revised as a result of the review.

TITLE II--PREVENTING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WITH CONTRACTORS

 (Sec. 202) The bill provides that a contract may not be entered into, and an extension of or option on a contract may not be exercised, with a contractor to conduct a quality review process relating to background investigation fieldwork or support services if the contractor is performing the services to be reviewed.

The bill defines:

 "background investigation fieldwork services" as the investigatory fieldwork conducted to determine the eligibility of an individual for logical and physical access to federally-controlled facilities or information systems, suitability or fitness for federal employment, eligibility for access to classified information or to hold a national security sensitive position, or fitness to perform work for or on behalf of the federal government as a contractor or employee, including interviews with individuals who might have relevant knowledge of the individual and reviews of educational and employment records, criminal and other legal records, and credit history; and "quality review process" as performing the final quality review of a background investigation to ensure that investigative, administrative, and other required standards have been met before the completed background investigation is delivered to the adjudicating agency (i.e., the agency that requested the background check and that has final decision-making authority).

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated security clearance accountability reform enhancement_act title security clearance accountability reform enhancement sec bill deems federal agency employee unfit federal employment agency determines employee engaged misconduct affecting integrity background investigation including falsification information relating investigation covered misconduct prohibits individual engaged covered misconduct appointed continuing occupy position requires performance background investigations extends sanctions employees performing background investigations contract agency prime contractor subcontractors covered contract requires covered contract include provisions requiring mandatory disclosure covered misconduct hours contractor discovers misconduct referral agency investigation president report annually congress number individuals determined unfit federal employment covered misconduct ineligible perform work covered contract details misconduct sec president review update guidance assist agencies determining position sensitivity designation appropriate background investigation initiate position designation review frequently years revise position designation positions federal agencies report issues identified number position designations revised result review title preventing conflicts interest contractors sec bill provides contract entered extension option contract exercised contractor conduct quality review process relating background investigation support services contractor performing services reviewed bill defines background investigation services investigatory conducted determine eligibility individual physical access federally controlled facilities information systems suitability fitness federal employment eligibility access classified information hold national security sensitive position fitness perform work behalf federal_government contractor employee including interviews individuals relevant knowledge individual reviews educational employment records criminal legal records credit history quality review process performing final quality review background investigation ensure investigative administrative required standards met completed background investigation delivered adjudicating agency agency requested background check final decision making authority


Summary:
Postal Employee Appeal Rights Amendments Act of 2015

Extends federal employee protections against adverse personnel actions, including the right to appeal such actions to the Merit Systems Protection Board, to any U.S. Postal Service (USPS) officer or employee who is not represented by a bargaining representative and is in a supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial position covered by the Executive and Administrative Schedule.

postal employee appeal rights amendments act extends federal employee protections adverse personnel actions including right appeal actions merit_systems_protection_board postal_service usps officer employee represented bargaining representative supervisory professional technical clerical administrative managerial position covered executive administrative schedule


Summary:
Stop Wasteful Federal Bonuses Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits a federal agency from awarding a bonus to any employee for five years after the end of a fiscal year in which the agency makes an adverse finding relating to the employee. An "adverse finding" is a determination that an employee's conduct violated: (1) a policy of the agency for which the employee may be removed or suspended for at least 14 days, or (2) a law for which the employee may be imprisoned for more than one year.

 The bill requires an agency to issue an order directing an employee to repay a bonus awarded in any year in which such a finding is made. As a condition of receiving a bonus awarded after this Act's enactment, an employee must certify that he or she shall repay the bonus in accordance with such an order.

An employee deemed to be ineligible for a bonus or against whom a repayment order is issued may appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

stop wasteful federal bonuses act sec bill prohibits federal agency awarding bonus employee years end fiscal year agency makes adverse finding relating employee adverse finding determination employee conduct violated policy agency employee removed suspended days law employee imprisoned year bill requires agency issue order directing employee repay bonus awarded year finding condition receiving bonus awarded act enactment employee certify shall repay bonus accordance order employee deemed ineligible bonus repayment order issued appeal merit_systems_protection_board


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on June 7, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill extends federal contractor whistle-blower protections to employees of: (1) personal services contractors working on defense contracts (currently, the protections apply to employees of defense contractors, subcontractors, grantees, or subgrantees); and (2) personal services contractors or subgrantees working on federal civilian contracts (currently, the protections apply to employees of civilian contractors, subcontractors, or grantees). The civilian contractor protections, which are currently in effect as a pilot program, are made permanent.

The bill extends the prohibition against reimbursement of legal fees incurred in defending against reprisal claims brought by whistle-blowers to defense and civilian subcontractors and personal services contractors.

measure amended reported senate june summary version repeated sec bill extends federal contractor whistle blower protections employees personal services contractors working defense contracts currently protections apply employees defense contractors subcontractors grantees subgrantees personal services contractors subgrantees working federal civilian contracts currently protections apply employees civilian contractors subcontractors grantees civilian contractor protections currently effect pilot program permanent bill extends prohibition reimbursement legal fees incurred defending reprisal claims brought whistle blowers defense civilian subcontractors personal services contractors


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the exclusion from gross income of payments from an accident or health plan, to: (1) make the exclusion for payments to a beneficiary other than a spouse or dependent child applicable to plans established by or on behalf of a state or political subdivision thereof; and (2) define a "qualified taxpayer," for purposes of the exclusion, as an employee or the spouse, dependent, or child (under age 27) of an employee.

(Sec. 2) Increases from 30% to 35% the rate of the continuous levy on payments made after 180 days after the enactment of this Act to Medicare providers and suppliers for unpaid taxes.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect exclusion gross income payments accident health plan exclusion payments beneficiary spouse dependent child applicable plans established behalf state political subdivision thereof define qualified taxpayer purposes exclusion employee spouse dependent child age employee sec increases rate continuous levy payments days enactment act medicare providers suppliers unpaid taxes


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Don't Tax Our Fallen Public Safety Heroes Act

(Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, federal public safety officer death benefits or amounts paid under a state program to surviving dependents of a public safety officer who died as the direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure tax fallen public safety heroes act sec amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude gross income income tax purposes federal public safety officer death benefits amounts paid state program surviving dependents public safety officer died direct proximate result personal injury sustained line duty


Summary:
Equity in Law Enforcement Act of 2015

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) expand the definition of "public service officer," for purposes of provisions concerning public safety officer death benefits, to include a law enforcement officer serving a private institution of higher education in an official capacity, or a rail police officer employed by a rail carrier, who is sworn, licensed, or certified under the laws of a state for the purposes of law enforcement (applicable to a personal injury sustained in the line of duty by a public safety officer on or after April 15, 2013); (2) authorize the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to such institutions and carriers for the purchase of armor vests for such officers; and (3) include such institutions and carriers among entities eligible for contracts or subawards under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.

equity law enforcement act amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act expand definition public service officer purposes provisions concerning public safety officer death benefits include law enforcement officer serving private institution higher education official capacity rail police officer employed rail carrier sworn licensed certified laws state purposes law enforcement applicable personal injury sustained line duty public safety officer april authorize director bureau_of_justice_assistance grants institutions carriers purchase armor vests officers include institutions carriers entities eligible contracts edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program


Summary:
Federal Public Safety Retirement Fairness Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the 10% additional tax on early distributions from tax-exempt retirement plans distributions from a thrift savings fund to a qualified law enforcement officer who has reached age 50 or has completed 25 years of credible service, whichever is earlier. The bill defines "qualified law enforcement officer" as an individual who is employed by the federal government as a law enforcement officer or as a firefighter and has completed 20 years of creditable service, or an individual who is employed as an air traffic controller and has completed 20 years of creditable service.

federal public safety retirement fairness act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code exempt additional tax early distributions tax exempt retirement plans distributions thrift_savings_fund qualified law enforcement officer reached age completed years credible service whichever earlier bill defines qualified law enforcement officer individual employed federal_government law enforcement officer firefighter completed years creditable service individual employed air traffic controller completed years creditable service


Summary:
Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove or demote a VA employee based on performance or misconduct.

 A determination that the performance or misconduct warrants removal or demotion may consist of any of the following:

 neglect of duty; malfeasance; failure to accept a directed reassignment or transfer of function; violation of VA policy; violation of law; insubordination; purposeful omission, including by a supervisor, from an electronic wait list of the name of one or more veterans waiting for VA health care; or other performance or misconduct as the VA determines warrants removal or demotion. The VA may also remove such individual from the civil service or demote the individual through a reduction in grade or annual pay rate.

A demoted individual: (1) shall be paid at the demoted rate as of the date of demotion, (2) may not be placed on administrative leave or any other category of paid leave while an appeal is ongoing, and (3) may only receive pay and other benefits if the individual reports for duty.

The VA shall notify Congress of, and the reason for, any removal or demotion.

An employee shall have the right to an appeal before the Merit Systems Protection Board within seven days of removal or demotion. An administrative law judge shall have to make a final decision within 45 days of such appeal or the original decision becomes final. The Board or an administrative judge may not stay any removal or demotion.

Between the date on which an individual appeals a removal from the civil service and the date on which the administrative judge issues a final decision on the appeal, the individual may not receive any pay, awards, bonuses, incentives, allowances, differentials, student loan repayments, special payments, or benefits.

The VA may not remove or demote an employee without the approval of the Special Counsel if the individual seeks corrective action from the Office of Special Counsel based on an alleged prohibited personnel practice.

The Special Counsel may terminate an investigation of a prohibited personnel practice alleged by a VA employee or former employee after it has given the individual a written statement of the reasons for the termination.

(Sec. 3) The appointment of an individual to a permanent position within the competitive service or as a career appointee within the Senior Executive Service shall become final after a 540-day probationary period, which the Secretary may extend. Final appointment to a permanent hire shall be made by the employee's supervisor.

department_of_veterans_affairs accountability_act sec bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs remove demote employee based performance misconduct determination performance misconduct warrants removal demotion consist following neglect duty failure accept directed reassignment transfer function violation policy violation law omission including supervisor electronic wait list veterans waiting health_care performance misconduct determines warrants removal demotion remove individual civil service demote individual reduction grade annual pay rate demoted individual shall paid demoted rate date demotion placed administrative leave category paid leave appeal ongoing receive pay benefits individual reports duty shall notify congress reason removal demotion employee shall right appeal merit_systems_protection_board seven days removal demotion administrative law judge shall final decision days appeal original decision final board administrative judge stay removal demotion date individual appeals removal civil service date administrative judge issues final decision appeal individual receive pay awards bonuses incentives allowances differentials student loan repayments special payments benefits remove demote employee approval special_counsel individual seeks corrective action office_of_special_counsel based alleged prohibited personnel practice special_counsel terminate investigation prohibited personnel practice alleged employee employee given individual written statement reasons termination sec appointment individual permanent position competitive service career appointee senior_executive_service shall final day probationary period secretary extend final appointment permanent hire shall employee supervisor


Summary:
Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Fairness Act of 2015

This bill repeals the exclusion from the collective bargaining rights of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employees of regulations of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) addressing any matter or question concerning professional conduct or competence, peer review, or the establishment, determination, or adjustment of employee compensation.

As a result VHA employees may participate in collective bargaining with the VA over such regulations.

department_of_veterans_affairs employee fairness act bill repeals exclusion collective bargaining rights veterans_health_administration vha employees regulations secretary veterans_affairs addressing matter question concerning professional conduct competence peer_review establishment determination adjustment employee compensation result vha employees participate collective bargaining regulations


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 29, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Competitive Service Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes an appointing authority (i.e., a federal agency appointing an individual to a position in the competitive service), other than the appointing authority that requested a certificate of eligibles for filling a position, to select an individual from that certificate for appointment to a position that is: (1) in the same occupational series as the position for which the certificate of eligibles was issued, and (2) at a similar grade level as the original position. The appointing authority must select an individual from the certificate of eligibles within 240 days after the issuance of the certificate. The bill sets forth further requirements relating to the sharing of certificates by agencies, notice to agency employees of available positions, and alternative ranking and selection procedures for job applicants.

measure amended passed house february summary version repeated competitive service act sec bill authorizes appointing authority federal agency appointing individual position competitive service appointing authority requested certificate eligibles filling position select individual certificate appointment position occupational series position certificate eligibles issued similar grade level original position appointing authority select individual certificate eligibles days issuance certificate bill sets forth requirements relating sharing certificates agencies notice agency employees available positions alternative ranking selection procedures job applicants


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the exclusion from gross income of payments from an accident or health plan, to: (1) make the exclusion for payments to a beneficiary other than a spouse or dependent child applicable to plans established by or on behalf of a state or political subdivision thereof; and (2) define a "qualified taxpayer," for purposes of the exclusion, as an employee or the spouse, dependent, or child (under age 27) of an employee.

amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect exclusion gross income payments accident health plan exclusion payments beneficiary spouse dependent child applicable plans established behalf state political subdivision thereof define qualified taxpayer purposes exclusion employee spouse dependent child age employee


Summary:
Truck Safety Act

This bill increases from $750,000 to $1.5 million (adjusted annually for inflation) the minimum level of financial responsibility required to satisfy liability covering public liability, property damage, and environmental restoration for the transportation of property by a commercial motor carrier in the United States or to a place outside the United States.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) must increase, by regulation, the minimum level of financial responsibility for transporting property or passengers if the current amount is insufficient to satisfy liability claims.

DOT shall initiate a rulemaking to establish a federal motor vehicle safety standard requiring a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 26,000 pounds to be equipped with crash avoidance and mitigation systems.

DOT shall finalize regulations to require such a motor vehicle also to be equipped with an electronic control module requiring the speed to be set by the manufacturer at a maximum 70 m.p.h.

DOT must ensure that a review is completed on each motor carrier that demonstrates through performance data that it poses the highest safety risk, especially whenever it is among the highest risk carriers for two consecutive months.

DOT shall require, with respect to driver compensation, that a motor carrier:

 track the on-duty (not driving) time of an employee whose base compensation is calculated in a manner other than an hourly wage and who is required to keep a record of duty status under the hours of service regulations; and separately compensate the employee for any on-duty (not driving) time period at an hourly rate not less than the federal minimum wage rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This compensation requirement, however, shall not apply where employment is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, negotiated by bona fide employee representatives, if the agreement governs, and compensates the employee for, all hours of on-duty (not driving) time.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall study the effects of excessive commuting on safety and commercial motor vehicle driver fatigue.

truck safety act bill increases million adjusted annually inflation minimum level financial responsibility required satisfy liability covering public liability property damage environmental restoration transportation property commercial motor carrier united_states place outside united_states department_of_transportation dot increase regulation minimum level financial responsibility transporting property passengers current insufficient satisfy liability claims dot shall initiate rulemaking establish federal motor vehicle safety standard requiring motor vehicle gross vehicle weight rating greater pounds equipped crash avoidance mitigation systems dot shall finalize regulations require motor vehicle equipped electronic control module requiring speed set manufacturer maximum dot ensure review completed motor carrier demonstrates performance data poses highest safety risk especially highest risk carriers consecutive months dot shall require respect driver compensation motor carrier track duty driving time employee base compensation calculated manner hourly wage required record duty status hours service regulations separately compensate employee duty driving time period hourly rate federal minimum wage rate fair labor standards act compensation requirement shall apply employment governed collective bargaining agreement negotiated bona fide employee representatives agreement governs compensates employee hours duty driving time federal_motor_carrier_safety_administration shall study effects excessive commuting safety commercial motor vehicle driver fatigue


Summary:
Financial Services Conflict of Interest Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to declare that any pension, retirement, group life, health or accident insurance, profit-sharing, stock bonus, or other employee welfare or benefit plan maintained by a federal employee's former private sector employer that makes payment of compensation contingent on accepting a position in the federal government shall not be considered exempt from certain conflict-of-interest restrictions.

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 is amended with respect to a financial services regulator who occupies a specified supervisory position within a primary financial regulatory agency, including among specified others the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A financial services regulator shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use his or her official position to influence a particular matter that provides a direct and substantial pecuniary benefit for a former employer or former client. The regulator must recuse himself or herself from any official action that would provide such a benefit.

Moreover, the regulator may not knowingly participate in any matter which involves an individual or entity with which the regulator is negotiating prospective employment.

If the regulator is negotiating future employment with another entity, that fact must be disclosed to the designated agency ethics official.

The Director of the Office of Government Ethics must discharge certain recordkeeping duties to implement this Act, and refer any non-compliance to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

The bill subjects violators of this Act to specified federal civil and criminal penalties.

The bill also increases from one to two years the period during which a former federal procurement officer responsible for a particular federal contract may not accept compensation from the contractor, including for lawyering or lobbyist services. This prohibition shall extend to accepting compensation from affiliates and subcontractors.

Procurement officials must also disclose contacts with procurement bidders or offerors about possible non-federal employment for a relative.

A federal employee may not be personally and substantially involved with the award or administration of a contract to a former employer for two years after leaving the employer.

Federal criminal law is amended to prohibit compensation for a former regulator:

 for a one-year period for legal representation, lobbying, or assistance for any person (except the United States) in any judicial proceeding pending under his or her official responsibility as a regulator; or for a two-year period for similar activities on behalf of any person (except the United States) before any executive branch agency or Congress in connection with any pending matter. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) is amended to expand from one to two years the conflict-of-interest restrictions on federal examiners. These restrictions shall apply also to supervisors of up to five financial institutions.

The FDIA subjects to specified penalties the supervisor of a large financial service regulatory agency as well as the supervisor of a senior examiner for knowingly accepting compensation during the prohibited two-year period after the individual's regulatory service ends.

financial_services conflict interest act bill amends federal criminal code declare pension retirement group life health accident insurance profit sharing stock bonus employee welfare benefit plan maintained federal employee private sector employer makes payment compensation contingent accepting position federal_government shall considered exempt certain conflict interest restrictions ethics_in_government_act amended respect financial_services regulator occupies specified supervisory position primary financial regulatory agency including specified board_of_governors federal_reserve_system commodity_futures_trading_commission securities_and_exchange_commission financial_services regulator shall participate making way attempt use official position influence particular matter provides direct substantial pecuniary benefit employer client regulator official action provide benefit regulator knowingly participate matter involves individual entity regulator negotiating prospective employment regulator negotiating future employment entity fact disclosed designated agency ethics official director office_of_government_ethics discharge certain recordkeeping duties implement act refer non compliance attorney district_of_columbia bill subjects violators act specified federal civil criminal penalties bill increases years period federal procurement officer responsible particular federal contract accept compensation contractor including lobbyist services prohibition shall extend accepting compensation affiliates subcontractors procurement officials disclose contacts procurement bidders offerors possible non federal employment relative federal employee personally substantially involved award administration contract employer years leaving employer federal criminal law amended prohibit compensation regulator year period legal representation lobbying assistance person united_states judicial proceeding pending official responsibility regulator year period similar activities behalf person united_states executive branch agency congress connection pending matter federal_deposit_insurance_act fdia amended expand years conflict interest restrictions federal examiners restrictions shall apply supervisors financial institutions fdia subjects specified penalties supervisor large financial service regulatory agency supervisor senior examiner knowingly accepting compensation prohibited year period individual regulatory service ends