EQUALS Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-4182
Sponsor: Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1]
Introduced: 2017-10-31 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Employee performance
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Summary:
action_date: 2017-10-31
text: 

Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 or the EQUALS Act of 2017

 
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 last for two years. The two-year probationary period applies to any position that requires formal training or a license, and any other position not requiring formal training or a license.
 
Each agency must ensure that: (1) an announcement of a vacant position and an offer of appointment clearly state the terms and conditions of the probationary period, (2) an individual who is required to complete a probationary period receives timely notice of requirements to successfully complete the probationary period, (3) a supervisor or manager of an individual who is required to complete the probationary period receives notification not less than 30 days before the end of the probationary period, and (4) certification of such successful completion is made.
 
The bill increases from one to two years: (1) the probationary period after which an individual's appointment as a career appointee in the Senior Executive Service becomes final, and (2) the continuous employment requirement for coverage under adverse action procedures for misconduct.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-12-01
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 213 - 204 (Roll no. 648).
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 213 - 204 (Roll no. 648).
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4182.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Connolly amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Connolly demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 635, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly amendment no. 4.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 635, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gianforte amendment no. 3, as modified.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Hastings amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Comer demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 635, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings amendment no. 1.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4182.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael K. Simpson to act as Chairman of the Committee.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 635 and Rule XVIII.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4182 and H.R. 1699. Resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4182 under a structured rule, with one hour of general debate, and one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Resolution also provides for consideration of H.R. 1699 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate, and one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 635. (consideration: CR H9547-9559; text of measure as reported in House: CR H9553-9554)
action_date: 2017-11-29
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 635 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4182 and H.R. 1699. Resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4182 under a structured rule, with one hour of general debate, and one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Resolution also provides for consideration of H.R. 1699 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate, and one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
action_date: 2017-11-28
text: Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Oversight and Government, H. Rept. 115-415, Part II.
action_date: 2017-11-28
text: Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Oversight and Government, H. Rept. 115-415, Part II.
action_date: 2017-11-16
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 307.
action_date: 2017-11-16
text: Reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 115-415.
action_date: 2017-11-16
text: Reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 115-415.
action_date: 2017-11-02
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 17.
action_date: 2017-11-02
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-10-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2017-10-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-10-31
text: Introduced in House