To amend title 5, United States Code, to modify probationary periods with respect to positions within the competitive service and the Senior Executive Service, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-3023
Sponsor: Rep. Buck, Ken [R-CO-4]
Introduced: 2015-07-10 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Employee hiring
Employee performance
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-10
text: 
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.
 
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.
 
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.

action_date: 2016-03-23
text: 
(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.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 358.
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 114-472.
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 114-472.
action_date: 2016-01-12
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 16.
action_date: 2016-01-12
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-07-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2015-07-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-10
text: Introduced in House