I
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4232
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the establishment
of a program under which the Government shall furnish a home computer
and Internet access to each of its employees, at no cost to the employee,
and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 11, 2000
Mr. CUMMINGS (for himself, Mr. WAXMAN, Mrs. MORELLA, Ms. NORTON, and
Mr. WYNN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Government Reform
A BILL
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the
establishment of a program under which the Government
shall furnish a home computer and Internet access to
each of its employees, at no cost to the employee, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Federal Workforce
Digital Access Act’’.
SEC. 2. RESIDENTIAL DIGITAL ACCESS BENEFITS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 79 of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing:
‘‘§ 7906. Residential digital access benefits
‘‘(a) For purposes of this section—
‘‘(1) the term ‘employee’ means an individual
who—
‘‘(A) is employed in or under an agency;
and
‘‘(B) has completed the applicable proba-
tionary or trial period (if any), or at least 1
year of current continuous service in the same
or similar positions (disregarding any break in
service of 3 days or less);
but does not include an employee excluded under
paragraph (2)(B) or (3) of subsection (g);
‘‘(2) the terms ‘agency’ and ‘entity of the legis-
lative branch’ have the same respective meanings as
given them under section 7905, except that the term
‘agency’ does not include a Government corporation
(as defined by section 103); and
‘‘(3) the term ‘Government’ means the Govern-
ment of the United States.
‘‘(b)(1) In order to promote greater technological pro-
ficiency within the Government’s workforce, the General
Services Administration and the Office of Personnel Man-
agement shall (to the extent of the duties and responsibil-
ities assigned to each of them by the President, in con-
formance with succeeding provisions of this section) estab-
lish and operate a program under which there shall be fur-
nished to each employee, at no cost to the employee, his
or her own home computer, complete with Internet service
(hereinafter in this section referred to collectively as ‘dig-
ital access benefits’). An employee not wishing to receive
digital access benefits under this section may instead
elect—
‘‘(A) to receive free Internet service alone; or
‘‘(B) to decline benefits under this section alto-
gether.
‘‘(2) For purposes of this section—
‘‘(A) the term ‘home computer’ means a com-
puter (including any necessary peripheral devices
and software) that—
‘‘(i) at a minimum, is capable of providing
access to the Internet, and is able to perform
office automation and e-learning functions; and
‘‘(ii) is furnished for home use; and
‘‘(B) the term ‘Internet service’ means access to
the Internet through an Internet Service Provider
(including the ability to send and receive electronic
mail) from one’s home.
‘‘(c) Any digital access benefits furnished under this
section shall include at least the following:
‘‘(1) Training on the use of computers and ap-
plications (both Internet-based and, to the extent
practicable, through facilities at or convenient to the
employee’s workplace).
‘‘(2) One or more upgrade options, available at
the employee’s request and expense.
‘‘(d) Any Internet service furnished under this section
shall include at least the following:
‘‘(1) A permanent home page that includes a
component linking the employee to designated Gov-
ernment sites and resources.
‘‘(2) Features that allow for information shar-
ing and communication, including a means by which
an agency may readily contact or communicate with
employees at home (on a nationwide, regional, or
other basis, as the agency may require).
‘‘(3) Inclusion on the permanent home page of
a means by which an employee may directly reach
the employing agency’s Web site or intranet, if ap-
propriate.
‘‘(4) All training and support services under
subsection (c) that are relevant to Internet service.
‘‘(e) Nothing in this section shall be considered to
permit or require—
‘‘(1) that employees declining benefits in ac-
cordance with subsection (b)(1)(B) be denied access
to training on the use of computers and applications
(as described in subsection (c)); or
‘‘(2) that employees electing free Internet serv-
ice alone be denied access to training on the use of
computers and applications (as so described) beyond
that specified in subsection (d)(4).
‘‘(f)(1) The General Services Administration may
contract with any qualified person to procure the goods
and services required in order to carry out this section.
Contracts under this subsection shall include appropriate
provisions relating to the following:
‘‘(A) The time and manner in which any trans-
fers of title to personal property shall be made.
‘‘(B) Restrictions to prevent inappropriate fi-
nancing or subsidization of benefits, including com-
mercial advertising.
‘‘(C) Measures to prevent unauthorized tracking
of computer use and to otherwise protect a user’s
privacy.
‘‘(D) Measures to prevent the unauthorized sale
or release of names or other identifying information.
‘‘(E) Provisions to make benefits under this
section accessible to persons with disabilities, such
as through appropriate modifications or accessories.
‘‘(F) Options for the renewal or extension of
benefits, including the conditions under which a
computer (or other piece of equipment) will periodi-
cally be replaced with a new one.
‘‘(G) Measures to permit the donation of used
equipment to schools, nonprofit organizations, or
other similar entities, to the extent practicable.
‘‘(H) Measures to prevent unauthorized access
to Government databases, sites, and other functions
or capabilities intended for employees only, such as
upon an employee’s separation from service.
‘‘(2) The General Services Administration may pre-
scribe any regulations necessary to carry out its duties and
responsibilities under this section.
‘‘(g)(1) In order to carry out this section, the Office
of Personnel Management shall—
‘‘(A) upon request, furnish information or tech-
nical assistance—
‘‘(i) on the design or operation of the pro-
gram or any aspect of the program; and
‘‘(ii) on the design or delivery of Internet-
based training;
‘‘(B) establish procedures for the communica-
tion of information to and from employees, including
procedures for the election of benefits; and
‘‘(C) provide general program oversight, and
perform such other functions as the Office considers
appropriate to facilitate the efficient delivery (and,
to the extent practicable, the optimal use) of bene-
fits.
‘‘(2) The Office may prescribe any regulations nec-
essary to carry out its duties and responsibilities under
this section, including—
‘‘(A) in the case of an employee who has pre-
viously received or declined benefits under this sec-
tion, provisions relating to if, and under what condi-
tions, such employee may become eligible for benefits
under this section based on subsequent employment;
and
‘‘(B) provisions for the exclusion of any employ-
ees abroad as to whom the application of this section
would be impracticable or inappropriate.
‘‘(3) There may, under this paragraph, be excluded
any employees as to whom the application of this section
would be impracticable or inappropriate by reason of their
temporary or intermittent employment. Authority under
this paragraph may be exercised—
‘‘(A) by the same official or agency as under
section 8347(g), (i), (j), (l), or (p) (in connection
with retirement); and
‘‘(B) by the respective committees named in
section 7905(c)(2)–(3), in the case of the entities of
the legislative branch to which those provisions re-
late.
‘‘(h)(1) The General Services Administration and the
Office of Personnel Management shall carry out their re-
spective duties and responsibilities under this section in
consultation with one another and with such other agen-
cies as each considers appropriate.
‘‘(2) In carrying out this subsection, the General
Services Administration shall afford employing agencies
reasonable opportunity to communicate any needs or con-
cerns specific to that agency.
‘‘(i) Each employing agency shall keep such records,
make such certifications, and furnish such information—
‘‘(1) as the General Services Administration
may require to carry out its duties and responsibil-
ities under this section; and
‘‘(2) as the Office of Personnel Management
may require to carry out its duties and responsibil-
ities under this section.
‘‘(j)(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to
each agency (including to the General Services Adminis-
tration and the Office of Personnel Management, both as
employing agencies and as administering agencies) such
sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
‘‘(2) The costs associated with furnishing benefits to
an employee under this section shall be paid—
‘‘(A) by that individual’s employing agency;
‘‘(B) out of amounts made available to that
agency under paragraph (1); and
‘‘(C) at the times and in the amounts specified
by the General Services Administration.
‘‘(3)(A) The amounts paid by an agency under this
subsection shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United
States to the credit of the Employees’ Digital Access
Fund. The Fund is available—
‘‘(i) without fiscal year limitation for all pay-
ments to persons providing goods or services under
this section (as referred to in subsection (f)); and
‘‘(ii) to pay the respective expenses of the Gen-
eral Services Administration and the Office of Per-
sonnel Management in administering this section,
within the limitations that may be specified annually
by Congress.
‘‘(B) The Secretary of the Treasury may, with re-
spect to the Fund, exercise the same authorities as de-
scribed in section 8909(c). The provisions of section
8909(f) shall similarly apply with respect to—
‘‘(i) any payment made from the Fund to any
qualified person (as referred to in subsection (f)) in
consideration for any goods or services provided by
such person under this section; and
‘‘(ii) the net income or profit accruing to or re-
alized by such person from business conducted under
this section.’’.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections
for chapter 79 of title 5, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following:
‘‘7906. Residential digital access benefits.’’.
SEC. 3. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Office of Management and
Budget shall prepare and submit to the President and
each House of Congress a report on the operation of the
program established under section 7906 of title 5, United
States Code, as amended by this Act. The report shall be
submitted by the end of the third year of the program’s
operation, and shall specifically address the following:
(1) Any cost savings, efficiencies, or other bene-
fits realized through the program, such as:
(A) Improved individual or collective orga-
nizational performance.
(B) Better employee productivity or mo-
rale.
(C) Greater flexibilities in the performance
of work outside of the customary hours or
workplace.
(D) Enhancement of Government recruit-
ment and retention efforts.
(E) Reduced printing or mailing costs to
the Government.
(F) Improved communications capabilities,
especially with regard to individuals in rural or
remote locations.
(G) New Internet-based training opportu-
nities.
(2) Best practices developed by particular agen-
cies to take advantage of any technologies or capa-
bilities made available through the program.
(3) The extent to which family members of em-
ployees were able to make use of or otherwise share
in the benefits made available through the program.