I 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5658 
To amend title 5, United States Code, to codify the Presidential Innovation 
Fellows Program, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 7, 2016 
Mr. MCCARTHY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 
A BILL 
To amend title 5, United States Code, to codify the Presi-
dential Innovation Fellows Program, and for other pur-
poses. 
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 ‘‘Tested Ability to Le-
verage Exceptional National Talent Act of 2016’’ or the 
‘‘TALENT Act of 2016’’. 
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 fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘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 tech-
nology 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 en-
courage 
successful 
entrepreneurs, 
executives, 
and 
innovators to join the Government and work in close co-
operation with Government leaders, to create meaningful 
solutions that can help save lives and taxpayer money, fuel 
job creation, and significantly improve how the Govern-
ment serves the American people. 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall continue the Presidential Innovation 
Fellows Program (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Pro-
gram’) 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 ad-
ministered by a Director, appointed by the Administrator 
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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 co-
operation with Executive agencies, shall facilitate place-
ment of fellows to participate in 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 pre-
scribe the process for applications and nominations 
of individuals to the Program. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAM STANDARDS.—Following publi-
cation of these processes, the Director may accept 
for consideration applications from individuals. The 
Director shall establish, administer, review, and re-
vise, 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.— 
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‘‘(1) PROCEDURES.—The Director shall pre-
scribe appropriate procedures for the selection, ap-
pointment, 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 con-
sultation, the Director shall select and appoint indi-
viduals to serve as fellows. 
‘‘(3) TIME
LIMITATION.—Fellows selected for 
the Program shall serve under short-term, time-lim-
ited 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 Execu-
tive agencies. 
‘‘(g) RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENCIES.—Each Exec-
utive agency shall work with the Director and the Presi-
dential Innovation Fellows Program advisory board estab-
lished under section 3172 to attempt to maximize the Pro-
gram’s benefits to the agency and the Government, includ-
ing 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 
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each fellow works closely with responsible senior officials 
for the duration of the assignment. 
‘‘§ 3172. Presidential Innovation Fellows Program ad-
visory board 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of General 
Services shall continue an advisory board to advise the Di-
rector of the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program by 
recommending such priorities and standards as may be 
beneficial to fulfill the mission of the Presidential Innova-
tion 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 ad-
visory 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 Elec-
tronic Government of the Office of Management and 
Budget; 
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‘‘(4) the Assistant to the President and Chief 
Technology Officer; and 
‘‘(5) other individuals as may be designated by 
the Administrator. 
‘‘(c) CONSULTATION.—The advisory board may con-
sult 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 Na-
tion’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 Fel-
lows Program established pursuant to Executive Order 
13704 (5 U.S.C. 3301 note) as in existence on the day 
before the date of enactment of this Act shall be consid-
ered the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program de-
scribed under this section. 
(d) NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.—No ad-
ditional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this Act or the amendments made by this Act. This 
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Act and the amendments made by this Act shall be carried 
out using amounts otherwise authorized. 
Æ 
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