PUBLIC LAW 115–1—JAN. 20, 2017 131 STAT. 3 

Public Law 115–1 

115th Congress 

An Act 

To amend title 5, United States Code, to codify the Presidential Innovation Fellows 

Program, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Tested Ability to Leverage Exceptional National Talent Act of 2017’’ or the ‘‘TALENT Act of 2017’’. 

SEC. 2. PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION FELLOWS PROGRAM. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 31 of title 5, United States Code, 

is amended by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘SUBCHAPTER V—PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION FELLOWS 

PROGRAM 

‘‘§ 3171. Presidential Innovation Fellows Program 

‘‘(a) POLICY.—It is in the national interest for the Government 

to attract the brightest minds skilled in technology or innovative 

practices to serve in the Government to work on some of the 

Nation’s biggest and most pressing challenges. This subchapter 

establishes a program 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. 

‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of General Services 

shall continue the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Program’) 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. 

‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATION.—The Program shall be administered by 

a Director, appointed by the Administrator under authorities of 

the General Services Administration. The Administrator shall provide necessary staff, resources and administrative support for the 

Program. 

‘‘(d) APPOINTMENT OF FELLOWS.—The Director shall appoint 

fellows pursuant to the Program and, in cooperation with executive 

agencies, shall facilitate placement of fellows to participate in 

Appointment. 

5 USC 3171. 

5 USC 

prec. 3171. 

Tested Ability 

to Leverage 

Exceptional 

National Talent 

Act of 2017. 

5 USC 101 note. 

Jan. 20, 2017 

[H.R. 39] 


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131 STAT. 4 PUBLIC LAW 115–1—JAN. 20, 2017 

projects that have the potential for significant positive effects and 

are consistent with the President’s goals. 

‘‘(e) APPLICATION PROCESS.— 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall prescribe the process 

for applications and nominations of individuals to the Program. 

‘‘(2) PROGRAM STANDARDS.—Following publication of these 

processes, the Director may accept for consideration applications from individuals. The Director shall establish, administer, 

review, and revise, if appropriate, a Governmentwide cap on 

the number of fellows. The Director shall establish and publish 

salary ranges, benefits, and standards for the Program. 

‘‘(f) SELECTION, APPOINTMENT, AND ASSIGNMENT OF FELLOWS.— ‘‘(1) PROCEDURES.—The Director shall prescribe appropriate 

procedures for the selection, appointment, and assignment of 

fellows. 

‘‘(2) CONSULTATION.—Prior to the selection of fellows, the 

Director shall consult with the heads of executive agencies 

regarding potential projects and how best to meet those needs. 

Following such consultation, the Director shall select and 

appoint individuals to serve as fellows. 

‘‘(3) TIME LIMITATION.—Fellows selected for the Program 

shall serve under short-term, time-limited appointments. Such 

fellows shall be appointed for no less than 6 months and no 

longer than 2 years in the Program. The Director shall facilitate 

the process of placing fellows at requesting executive agencies. 

‘‘(g) RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENCIES.—Each executive agency 

shall work with the Director and the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program advisory board established under section 3172 to 

attempt to maximize the Program’s benefits to the agency and 

the Government, including by identifying initiatives that have a 

meaningful effect on the people served and that benefit from 

involvement by one or more fellows. Such agencies shall ensure 

that each fellow works closely with responsible senior officials for 

the duration of the assignment. 

‘‘§ 3172. Presidential Innovation Fellows Program advisory 

board 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of General Services shall 

continue an advisory board to advise the Director of the Presidential 

Innovation Fellows Program by recommending such priorities and 

standards as may be beneficial to fulfill the mission of the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program and assist in identifying potential projects and placements for fellows. The advisory board may 

not participate in the selection process under section 3171(f). 

‘‘(b) CHAIR; MEMBERSHIP.—The Administrator shall designate 

a representative to serve as the Chair of the advisory board. In 

addition to the Chair, the membership of the advisory board shall 

include— 

‘‘(1) the Deputy Director for Management of the Office 

of Management and Budget; 

‘‘(2) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management; 

‘‘(3) the Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government of the Office of Management and Budget; 

‘‘(4) the Assistant to the President and Chief Technology 

Officer; and 

‘‘(5) other individuals as may be designated by the Administrator. 

Designation. 

Recommendations. 

5 USC 3172. 


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PUBLIC LAW 115–1—JAN. 20, 2017 131 STAT. 5 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 39: 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017): 

Jan. 10, 11, considered and passed House. 

Jan. 17, considered and passed Senate. 

Æ 

‘‘(c) CONSULTATION.—The advisory board may consult with 

industry, academia, or nonprofits to ensure the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program is continually identifying opportunities to 

apply advanced skillsets and innovative practices in effective ways 

to address the Nation’s most significant challenges.’’. 

(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for chapter 

31 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 

end the following: 

‘‘SUBCHAPTER V—PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION FELLOWS PROGRAM

‘‘3171. Presidential Innovation Fellows Program. 

‘‘3172. Presidential Innovation Fellows Program advisory board.’’. 

(c) TRANSITION.—The Presidential Innovation Fellows Program 

established pursuant to Executive Order No. 13704 (5 U.S.C. 3301 

note) as in existence on the day before the date of enactment 

of this Act shall be considered the Presidential Innovation Fellows 

Program described in the amendments made by this Act. 

(d) NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.—No additional funds 

are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act or the 

amendments made by this Act. This Act and the amendments 

made by this Act shall be carried out using amounts otherwise 

authorized. 

Approved January 20, 2017. 

5 USC 3171 note. 

5 USC 

prec. 3010. 


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