zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
This bill makes the President personally responsible for paying for any additional security measures, including protection from the U.S. Secret Service, with respect to property in which the President holds an ownership interest.

"Property" is defined to include any property from which the President receives revenue.

 No amounts may be appropriated to pay for such measures.

Date: 2016-12-08
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
No Exemption for Washington from Obamacare Act

Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to extend the requirement for participation in the American Health Benefit Exchange (a state health insurance exchange created by PPACA) to the President, Vice President, executive branch political appointees, and employees of congressional committees and leadership offices of Congress (currently, this requirement applies to Members of Congress and their staff). Prohibits any government contribution to or subsidy for the health insurance coverage of such officials and employees.

Date: 2015-01-06
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

Date: 2015-01-06
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
No Budget, No Pay Act

Prohibits the payment of any pay to any Member of Congress (excluding the Vice President): (1) if both houses of Congress have not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget for a fiscal year before October 1 of that fiscal year and have not passed all the regular appropriations bills for the next fiscal year by such date, or (2) until both houses of Congress approve such a budget resolution and pass all such appropriations bills. Prohibits any retroactive pay for such a period.

Date: 2015-01-07
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Show Your Exemption Act

Requires the House of Representatives and the Senate to make publicly available the determinations of each Member of the House of Representatives and each Senator regarding the designation of their employees (including leadership and committee staff) as congressional staff for purposes of requiring those employees to enroll in health insurance coverage offered through a health benefit exchange as required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Requires the absence of designation of an employee as congressional staff to be noted in the determination along with a statement that the absence of that designation permits the employee to remain in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.

Date: 2015-01-07
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act of 2015 or the FAIR Act

 Increases by 3.8% in FY2016 the rate of basic pay for federal employees under the statutory pay systems (relating to the General Schedule, the U.S. Foreign Service, and the Veterans Health Administration) and for prevailing rate employees.

Date: 2015-01-13
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Citizen Empowerment Act

Requires any executive agency employee who is conducting a covered interaction with an individual to allow the individual to make an audio recording of such interaction at the individual's expense and with the individual's equipment. Defines "covered interaction" as an in-person or telephonic official interaction relating to a possible violation of a federal statute or regulation that could result in the imposition of a fine or penalty against, the forfeiture of property by, or the collection of an unpaid tax, fine, or penalty from, the individual or a business owned or operated by the individual.

Permits the employee conducting a covered interaction to record it if the employee: (1) informs the individual prior to or at the initiation of the interaction, and (2) provides the individual with a transcript or copy of the recording upon request and with the individual's reimbursement.

Requires the employee, before or at an initial covered interaction, to provide to the individual a verbal or written notice of such individual's rights under this Act.

Exempts any such interaction that is likely to include the discussion of: (1) classified material; or (2) information that, if released publicly, would endanger public safety or an ongoing criminal investigation.

Subjects any executive agency employee who violates this Act to disciplinary action.

Date: 2015-01-28
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Don't Tax Our Fallen Public Safety Heroes Act 

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, federal public safety officer death benefits or amounts paid under a state program to surviving dependents of a public safety officer who died as the direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty.

Date: 2015-01-28
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Taxation
Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2015

Makes any individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt ineligible to receive a bonus from a federal agency (i.e., an executive agency, the U.S. Postal Service, the Postal Regulatory Commission, or an employing agency in the legislative branch). Defines "seriously delinquent tax debt" as an outstanding tax debt for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records. Exempts a tax debt: (1) that is being paid in a timely manner under an approved installment payment agreement or an offer-in-compromise, (2) for which a collection due process hearing has been requested or pending, (3) for which a levy has been issued or agreed to by an applicant for employment, or (4) that is determined to be an economic hardship to the taxpayer.

Requires each agency to review public records to determine if a notice of tax lien has been filed against an agency employee or applicant for employment. Prohibits an agency head or agency employee from using or disclosing tax delinquency information other than for the administration of this Act.

Date: 2015-01-29
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Eliminating Government-funded Oil-painting Act or the EGO Act

(Sec. 2) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the federal government to pay for an official portrait of an officer or employee of the federal government, including the President, the Vice President, a Member of Congress, the head of an executive agency, or the head of an office of the legislative branch.

Date: 2015-01-29
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Don't Tax Our Fallen Public Safety Heroes Act 

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, federal public safety officer death benefits or amounts paid under a state program to surviving dependents of a public safety officer who died as the direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty.

Date: 2015-01-29
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Taxation
Government Employee Accountability Act

Sets forth guidelines for placing career employees of the Senior Executive Service (SES) on investigative leave. Defines "investigative leave" as a temporary absence without duty for disciplinary reasons, for not more than 90 days.

Authorizes a federal agency to: (1) place an SES employee on investigative leave, without loss of pay and without charge to annual or sick leave, only for alleged misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or misappropriation of funds; (2) place such employee on leave without pay if such employee's alleged conduct is determined to be serious or flagrant; or (3) remove such employee if such employee acted in a manner that endangers the interest of the agency mission.

Requires an agency to periodically review the investigation into the conduct of an SES employee placed on investigative leave and take certain actions with respect to such employee at the end of a period of investigative leave, including removal, suspension without pay, or reinstatement to duty. Grants an employee placed on investigative leave certain rights, including: (1) advance written notice of, and a reasonable time (not less than seven days) to answer, charges; (2) the right to be represented by an attorney; and (3) the right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Includes misappropriation of funds as a ground in suspending or reinstating an SES employee or placing such employee in another civil service position.

Date: 2015-02-04
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Correctional Officer Fairness Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the 10% additional tax on early distributions from tax-exempt retirement plans distributions from a thrift savings fund to a qualified federal correctional officer who has reached age 50 or has completed 25 years of credible service, whichever is earlier. Defines "qualified federal correctional officer" as an individual who is employed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a correctional officer and has completed 20 years of creditable service.

Date: 2015-02-05
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Taxation
Postal Employee Appeal Rights Amendments Act of 2015

Extends federal employee protections against adverse personnel actions, including the right to appeal such actions to the Merit Systems Protection Board, to any U.S. Postal Service (USPS) officer or employee who is not represented by a bargaining representative and is in a supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial position covered by the Executive and Administrative Schedule.

Date: 2015-02-26
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Stop Wasteful Federal Bonuses Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits a federal agency from awarding a bonus to any employee for five years after the end of a fiscal year in which the agency makes an adverse finding relating to the employee. An "adverse finding" is a determination that an employee's conduct violated: (1) a policy of the agency for which the employee may be removed or suspended for at least 14 days, or (2) a law for which the employee may be imprisoned for more than one year.

 The bill requires an agency to issue an order directing an employee to repay a bonus awarded in any year in which such a finding is made. As a condition of receiving a bonus awarded after this Act's enactment, an employee must certify that he or she shall repay the bonus in accordance with such an order.

An employee deemed to be ineligible for a bonus or against whom a repayment order is issued may appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Date: 2015-03-16
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on June 7, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill extends federal contractor whistle-blower protections to employees of: (1) personal services contractors working on defense contracts (currently, the protections apply to employees of defense contractors, subcontractors, grantees, or subgrantees); and (2) personal services contractors or subgrantees working on federal civilian contracts (currently, the protections apply to employees of civilian contractors, subcontractors, or grantees). The civilian contractor protections, which are currently in effect as a pilot program, are made permanent.

The bill extends the prohibition against reimbursement of legal fees incurred in defending against reprisal claims brought by whistle-blowers to defense and civilian subcontractors and personal services contractors.

Date: 2015-03-18
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the exclusion from gross income of payments from an accident or health plan, to: (1) make the exclusion for payments to a beneficiary other than a spouse or dependent child applicable to plans established by or on behalf of a state or political subdivision thereof; and (2) define a "qualified taxpayer," for purposes of the exclusion, as an employee or the spouse, dependent, or child (under age 27) of an employee.

(Sec. 2) Increases from 30% to 35% the rate of the continuous levy on payments made after 180 days after the enactment of this Act to Medicare providers and suppliers for unpaid taxes.

Date: 2015-04-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Taxation
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Don't Tax Our Fallen Public Safety Heroes Act 

(Sec. 2) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, federal public safety officer death benefits or amounts paid under a state program to surviving dependents of a public safety officer who died as the direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty.

Date: 2015-04-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Taxation
Equity in Law Enforcement Act of 2015

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) expand the definition of "public service officer," for purposes of provisions concerning public safety officer death benefits, to include a law enforcement officer serving a private institution of higher education in an official capacity, or a rail police officer employed by a rail carrier, who is sworn, licensed, or certified under the laws of a state for the purposes of law enforcement (applicable to a personal injury sustained in the line of duty by a public safety officer on or after April 15, 2013); (2) authorize the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to such institutions and carriers for the purchase of armor vests for such officers; and (3) include such institutions and carriers among entities eligible for contracts or subawards under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.

Date: 2015-04-15
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Federal Public Safety Retirement Fairness Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the 10% additional tax on early distributions from tax-exempt retirement plans distributions from a thrift savings fund to a qualified law enforcement officer who has reached age 50 or has completed 25 years of credible service, whichever is earlier. The bill defines "qualified law enforcement officer" as an individual who is employed by the federal government as a law enforcement officer or as a firefighter and has completed 20 years of creditable service, or an individual who is employed as an air traffic controller and has completed 20 years of creditable service.

Date: 2015-04-16
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Taxation
Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove or demote a VA employee based on performance or misconduct.

 A determination that the performance or misconduct warrants removal or demotion may consist of any of the following:

 neglect of duty; malfeasance; failure to accept a directed reassignment or transfer of function; violation of VA policy; violation of law; insubordination; purposeful omission, including by a supervisor, from an electronic wait list of the name of one or more veterans waiting for VA health care; or other performance or misconduct as the VA determines warrants removal or demotion. The VA may also remove such individual from the civil service or demote the individual through a reduction in grade or annual pay rate.

A demoted individual: (1) shall be paid at the demoted rate as of the date of demotion, (2) may not be placed on administrative leave or any other category of paid leave while an appeal is ongoing, and (3) may only receive pay and other benefits if the individual reports for duty.

The VA shall notify Congress of, and the reason for, any removal or demotion.

An employee shall have the right to an appeal before the Merit Systems Protection Board within seven days of removal or demotion. An administrative law judge shall have to make a final decision within 45 days of such appeal or the original decision becomes final. The Board or an administrative judge may not stay any removal or demotion.

Between the date on which an individual appeals a removal from the civil service and the date on which the administrative judge issues a final decision on the appeal, the individual may not receive any pay, awards, bonuses, incentives, allowances, differentials, student loan repayments, special payments, or benefits.

The VA may not remove or demote an employee without the approval of the Special Counsel if the individual seeks corrective action from the Office of Special Counsel based on an alleged prohibited personnel practice.

The Special Counsel may terminate an investigation of a prohibited personnel practice alleged by a VA employee or former employee after it has given the individual a written statement of the reasons for the termination.

(Sec. 3) The appointment of an individual to a permanent position within the competitive service or as a career appointee within the Senior Executive Service shall become final after a 540-day probationary period, which the Secretary may extend. Final appointment to a permanent hire shall be made by the employee's supervisor.

Date: 2015-04-23
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Fairness Act of 2015

This bill repeals the exclusion from the collective bargaining rights of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employees of regulations of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) addressing any matter or question concerning professional conduct or competence, peer review, or the establishment, determination, or adjustment of employee compensation.

As a result VHA employees may participate in collective bargaining with the VA over such regulations.

Date: 2015-05-07
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 29, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Competitive Service Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes an appointing authority (i.e., a federal agency appointing an individual to a position in the competitive service), other than the appointing authority that requested a certificate of eligibles for filling a position, to select an individual from that certificate for appointment to a position that is: (1) in the same occupational series as the position for which the certificate of eligibles was issued, and (2) at a similar grade level as the original position. The appointing authority must select an individual from the certificate of eligibles within 240 days after the issuance of the certificate. The bill sets forth further requirements relating to the sharing of certificates by agencies, notice to agency employees of available positions, and alternative ranking and selection procedures for job applicants.

Date: 2015-06-16
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the exclusion from gross income of payments from an accident or health plan, to: (1) make the exclusion for payments to a beneficiary other than a spouse or dependent child applicable to plans established by or on behalf of a state or political subdivision thereof; and (2) define a "qualified taxpayer," for purposes of the exclusion, as an employee or the spouse, dependent, or child (under age 27) of an employee.

Date: 2015-06-24
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Taxation
Truck Safety Act 

This bill increases from $750,000 to $1.5 million (adjusted annually for inflation) the minimum level of financial responsibility required to satisfy liability covering public liability, property damage, and environmental restoration for the transportation of property by a commercial motor carrier in the United States or to a place outside the United States.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) must increase, by regulation, the minimum level of financial responsibility for transporting property or passengers if the current amount is insufficient to satisfy liability claims.

DOT shall initiate a rulemaking to establish a federal motor vehicle safety standard requiring a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 26,000 pounds to be equipped with crash avoidance and mitigation systems.

DOT shall finalize regulations to require such a motor vehicle also to be equipped with an electronic control module requiring the speed to be set by the manufacturer at a maximum 70 m.p.h.

DOT must ensure that a review is completed on each motor carrier that demonstrates through performance data that it poses the highest safety risk, especially whenever it is among the highest risk carriers for two consecutive months.

DOT shall require, with respect to driver compensation, that a motor carrier:

 track the on-duty (not driving) time of an employee whose base compensation is calculated in a manner other than an hourly wage and who is required to keep a record of duty status under the hours of service regulations; and separately compensate the employee for any on-duty (not driving) time period at an hourly rate not less than the federal minimum wage rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This compensation requirement, however, shall not apply where employment is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, negotiated by bona fide employee representatives, if the agreement governs, and compensates the employee for, all hours of on-duty (not driving) time.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall study the effects of excessive commuting on safety and commercial motor vehicle driver fatigue.

Date: 2015-07-09
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Transportation and public works
No Exemption for Washington from Obamacare Act

This bill requires Members of Congress, the President, the Vice President, and executive branch political appointees to purchase health insurance through a health insurance exchange. These officials may receive a federal subsidy or contribution to the costs of coverage only if the subsidy or contribution is otherwise available to individuals at a similar income level.

Date: 2015-07-21
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Department of Veterans Affairs Equitable Employee Accountability Act of 2015

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) suspend a VA employee without pay if the employee's performance or misconduct is a clear and direct threat to public health or safety; and (2) remove a suspended employee when, after investigation and review, removal is determined necessary for public health or safety interests.

A suspended employee is entitled, after suspension and before removal, to:

 a written statement of the specific charges and an opportunity to answer the charges and submit affidavits, a case review by the VA before a decision adverse to the employee is made final, and a written statement of the VA's decision. A VA employee who is suspended or removed is entitled to: (1) appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board; and (2) back pay, less amounts otherwise earned during such period, if the suspension or removal is determined to be unwarranted.

The VA shall:

 conduct an annual performance plan for each political appointee that is similar to that conducted for VA Senior Executive Service employees; provide managers with training on the rights of whistle blowers and how to address reports of hostile work environment, reprisal, or harassment; and develop a promotional track for technical expert employees that allows for career advancement without being required to transition to management positions. Evaluation of VA managers shall include actions taken to address employee performance.

Before terminating VA employment an official who has participated personally and substantially in a VA acquisition that exceeds $1 million or held a key acquisitions position at the VA shall obtain a written opinion from a VA ethics counselor regarding any restrictions on activities that the official may undertake on behalf of a contractor during the two-year period after the official terminates VA employment.

A contractor may not knowingly provide compensation to such an individual during the two-year period unless the contractor determines that the individual has obtained or requested such written opinion.

The VA may not place an individual subject to disciplinary action on administrative leave for more than 14 business days during any 365-day period.

Date: 2015-02-23
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2015 or the Fair Chance Act 

 (Sec. 2) This bill prohibits an executive agency, including the U.S. Postal Service, the Postal Regulatory Commission, and the Executive Office of the President, from requesting an applicant for federal employment to disclose criminal history record information before a conditional offer of employment is made to the applicant. Exceptions to this prohibition are allowed for positions that, by law, require consideration of criminal history, that involve sensitive or classified information, that are law enforcement positions, or that are positions identified in regulations by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as requiring consideration of criminal history information. The OPM regulations must be consistent with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other relevant federal civil rights laws.

OPM must develop, implement, and publish a policy to assist agency employees in complying with the disclosure prohibition and a complaint process for employment applicants who are improperly asked to disclose their criminal history information. OPM shall take adverse action against any agency employee who violates the disclosure prohibition.

The bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and the federal judicial code to apply the disclosure prohibition to the legislative and judicial branches, respectively.

 (Sec. 3) The bill: (1) prohibits an executive agency from requiring an individual or sole proprietor who submits a bid for a civilian agency or defense contract to disclose criminal history record information before a conditional offer is made with respect to such contract; and (2) requires, as a condition of receiving a contract and payments, that a contractor may not request the disclosure of criminal history record information about an applicant for a position related to work under such contract before the contractor extends a conditional offer to the applicant. Exceptions to the prohibition include sensitive positions, positions that, by law, require consideration of criminal history, and other positions identified in General Services Administration regulations as requiring consideration of criminal history information.

(Sec. 4) The Bureau of Justice Statistics in the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice, in coordination with the Bureau of the Census, must design and initiate a study on the employment of individuals (not including aliens who have been or will be removed from the United States for a violation of the immigration laws) who have completed a prison term for a federal criminal offense. The study must use demographic data and data on employment and earnings of such individuals who are denied employment, including the reasons for denial. The Bureau must report on such study to specified congressional committees not later than two years after the enactment of this Act and every five years thereafter. Such report may not include any personally identifiable information.

Date: 2015-09-10
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2015

This bill requires federal employees furloughed or required to work due to a lapse in appropriations beginning on or after October 1, 2015, to be compensated after the lapse in appropriations ends. Employees required to work during the lapse in appropriations are permitted to use leave. The bill addresses a lapse in appropriations scheduled to occur if FY2016 appropriations legislation is not enacted prior to the beginning of the fiscal year on October 1, 2015.

Date: 2015-09-15
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
No Government No Pay Act of 2015

 A Member of Congress may not receive pay, during a government shutdown, equal to the product of the Member's daily rate of pay and the number of 24-hour periods during which the government shutdown is in effect. This prohibition shall apply on and after the convening of the 115th Congress.

Date: 2015-09-24
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)

Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill limits the term of the Librarian of Congress to 10 years.

The individual appointed to the position may be reappointed in accordance with this requirement.

Date: 2015-10-07
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove or demote a VA employee based on performance or misconduct.

 A determination that the performance or misconduct warrants removal or demotion may consist of any of the following:

 neglect of duty; malfeasance; failure to accept a directed reassignment or transfer of function; violation of VA policy; violation of law; insubordination; overprescription of medication; or purposeful omission, including by a supervisor, from an electronic wait list of the name of one or more veterans waiting for VA health care. The VA may also remove such individual from the civil service or demote the individual through a reduction in grade or annual pay rate.

A demoted individual: (1) shall be paid at the demoted rate as of the date of demotion, (2) may not be placed on administrative leave or any other category of paid leave while an appeal is ongoing, and (3) may only receive pay and other benefits if the individual reports for duty.

The VA shall notify Congress of, and the reason for, any removal or demotion.

An employee shall have the right to an appeal before the Merit Systems Protection Board within seven days of removal or demotion. An administrative law judge shall have to make a final decision within 45 days of such appeal or the original decision becomes final. The Board or an administrative judge may not stay any removal or demotion.

Between the date on which an individual appeals a removal from the civil service and the date on which the administrative judge issues a final decision on the appeal, the individual may not receive any pay, awards, bonuses, incentives, allowances, differentials, student loan repayments, special payments, or benefits.

The VA may not remove or demote an employee without the approval of the Special Counsel if the individual seeks corrective action from the Office of Special Counsel based on an alleged prohibited personnel practice.

The Special Counsel may terminate an investigation of a prohibited personnel practice alleged by a VA employee or former employee after it has given the individual a written statement of the reasons for the termination.

 The Director of a Veterans Integrated Service Network may contract with an entity specializing in civilian accreditation or health care evaluation to investigate any medical center within the Network to assess deficiencies at such medical center.

 The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on VA implementation of the Veterans Choice Program.

Date: 2016-02-11
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 22, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Federal Aviation Administration Veteran Transition Improvement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill applies federal civil service requirements to leave used by disabled armed forces veterans in the personnel management system of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

To verify that leave credited to such an employee is used for treating a service-connected disability, the employee shall certify to FAA Human Resource Management that the employee used that leave for purposes of being furnished treatment for that disability by a health care provider.

Date: 2016-03-15
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act of 2016 or the FAIR Act

This bill increases by 5.3% in FY2017 the rate of basic pay for federal employees under the statutory pay systems (relating to the General Schedule, the U.S. Foreign Service, and the Veterans Health Administration) and for prevailing rate employees.

Date: 2016-03-16
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Security Clearance Oversight and Accountability Act

This bill requires the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, rather than the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to exercise the duties and responsibilities of an Inspector General under the Inspector General Act of 1978 with respect to OPM's National Background Investigation Bureau.

Date: 2016-03-17
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to extend specified whistle-blower protections to employees of congressional offices and committees, the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services, the Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office, the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, the Office of the Attending Physician, the Office of Compliance, the Government Accountability Office, and the Library of Congress.

Date: 2016-03-17
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Flexible Hiring and Improving Recruitment, Retention, and Education Act of 2016 or the Flexible HIRE Act

This bill allows the President to authorize agencies to appoint candidates directly to positions that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has determined are in geographic areas affected by a unique situation or circumstance that has directly and significantly affected employee recruitment and retention.

In areas within the continental United States in which recruitment and retention have become a severe challenge as the direct result of a dramatic economic development, hardship, or remoteness, the President may permit agencies to appoint candidates without using the statutory preference eligible veteran procedures that would otherwise require such agencies to provide experience credits, award examination points, or restrict competition to certain veterans and families of disabled or deceased veterans. Agencies must still prioritize the hiring of veterans by following regulatory principles regarding the appointment of qualified veterans to competitive service positions.

For positions in such areas, the OPM may establish higher minimum rates of pay and authorize agencies to pay bonuses for recruitment, relocation, or retention.

The OPM must replace the $10 per day cap on the commuting allowance for employees assigned to remote worksites with the mileage reimbursement rate prescribed by the General Services Administration for the use of privately owned automobiles for official government business.

Agencies may pay an allowance to employees assigned to sites remote from: (1) established communities, suitable residences, or affordable housing; (2) medical care, child care, or schools; (3) employment options for spouses; or (4) consumer goods and services.

The OPM must establish a permanent hiring working group to help agencies prepare and deal with such geographic areas.

Agencies must: (1) create pilot programs to increase the number of new employees placed in these unique geographic areas; (2) develop strategies to aide employees' spouses and families; and (3) enhance recruiting methods targeting colleges, veterans transition centers, and job placement programs in such areas.

The OPM must establish a centralized electronic database of individuals completing a federal internship program who are seeking full-time federal employment.

Date: 2016-07-13
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
This bill exempts retired air traffic controllers from a reduction to their Federal Employees Retirement System annuity supplement (on account of their earnings for work performed while entitled to the annuity after their separation from federal service) during any period in which they are employed full time as air traffic control instructors under contract with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Modernizing Government Travel Act

This bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to prescribe regulations to provide for the reimbursement of federal employees traveling on official business for the use of a transportation network company or an innovative mobility technology company. The Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall prescribe such regulations regarding the reimbursement of judicial branch employees.

An "innovative mobility technology company" is an entity that applies technology to expand and enhance available transportation choices, better manage demand for transportation services, and provide alternatives to driving alone. A "transportation network company" is an entity that uses a digital network to connect riders to drivers.

Each agency shall submit to the General Services Administration (GSA) by November 31 of each year an analysis of the total costs of transportation service by type and of the total number of trips using each transportation type for official travel.

By January 31 of each year, the GSA shall submit to the OMB and specified congressional committees:

 an examination of the data and analyses on employee travel and transportation submitted by specified federal departments and agencies with Chief Financial Officers, a survey of such data and analyses for other agencies, and a description of any regulations or changes in employee travel and transportation regulations promulgated during the previous year.

Date: 2016-09-15
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Death Gratuity Equity Act of 2016

This bill requires federal agencies to pay a death gratuity of $100,000 per employee for the death of civilian employees resulting from injuries sustained in the line of duty that did not result from natural causes or the employee's serious and willful misconduct. The bill also allows an additional payment of up to $8,800 for funeral and burial expenses. (Currently, funeral and burial payments may not exceed $800 per employee and the combination of payments for death gratuity, funeral, burial, and other compensation and reimbursements may not exceed $10,000 per employee.)

The amounts must be adjusted annually for inflation. For tax purposes, a death gratuity payment shall not be considered gross income to the person receiving payment.

The death gratuity remains at $100,000 for an employee who dies of injuries incurred in connection with service with an Armed Force in a contingency operation, except that employees who are noncitizens and nonresidents of the United States or Canada, and their dependents, are subject to the Department of Labor's authority to modify payments that are substantially disproportionate to compensation for disability or death payable in similar cases under local laws or customs at the place outside the continental United States or Canada where the employee is working at the time of injury. The bill also allows such death gratuities in connection with such Armed Force service to be paid in addition to any other amounts paid under U.S. law based on the same death.

The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended to make death gratuities payable to the surviving beneficiaries (currently, dependents) of U.S. Foreign Service employees, or individuals in a special category serving in an uncompensated capacity for that agency in support of a diplomatic mission, who die as a result of injuries sustained in the performance of duty abroad. But the Foreign Service death gratuity is reduced by the amount of any federal civilian employee death gratuity paid under this bill for the same death.

Additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated for death gratuity payments under this bill if an agency and the Office of Management and Budget determine that a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other incident results in the inability of the agency to meet these death gratuity payment requirements. An authorized payment that exceeds the amount available to the agency without additional appropriations may be made only if Congress makes the additional appropriations for that purpose.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
CBP Hiring and Retention Act of 2016 or the CBP HiRe Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to pay a retention bonus to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees performing activities that are critical to border security upon determining that such an employee would otherwise likely leave federal service or leave for a different position.

A retention bonus service agreement shall include the length of required service and the amount and method of payment of the bonus.

DHS may pay a special rate of pay (up to 125% of basic pay) to such CBP employees whose permanent duty stations are located in remote locations or other geographic areas for which finding employees is difficult. Such special pay authority terminates after two years but may be extended for another two years.

If an applicant for a CBP position does not successfully complete a required polygraph examination, the CBP may not disclose the polygraph results to any other federal agency or DHS component and such other agency or component may not use the results in determining whether to appoint such individual. Such limitations terminate after one year but may be extended for another year.

DHS shall provide each CBP applicant who will be required to successfully complete a polygraph examination before his or her appointment a list of disqualifying actions or conduct of, or events relating to, the applicant.

Date: 2016-12-05
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Federal Supervisor Training Act of 2016

This bill requires federal agencies to establish supervisor training programs that: (1) require supervisors and management officials to have individual development plans for training on actions, options, and strategies to use for supervisory functions regarding the performance and productivity of agency employees; (2) train supervisors on prohibited personnel practices and employee rights; and (3) provide experienced supervisor mentors to advise new or underperforming supervisors.

The bill expands manager training program requirements for employee performance appraisals, mentoring, and management of unacceptable employee performance into mandatory supervisor and manager training programs that also include supervisor training on:

 fostering equal opportunities and fairness in the workplace; using probationary periods to examine whether employees are performing at an acceptable level to continue their employment; addressing reports of hostile work environment, retaliation, or harassment; meeting supervisor competencies established by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or the employing agency; and collaborating with human resources to recruit, select, appraise, and reward employees based on organizational goals, budget considerations, and staffing needs. After initial training on each program component, supervisors must complete subsequent training every three years.

Agencies must develop a career track for mission critical technical expert employees that affords such employees the opportunity for career advancement without being required to be appointed to a management or supervisory position.

The OPM must issue guidance to agencies on competencies supervisors are expected to meet in order to effectively manage the performance of employees. Each agency must assess the performance of supervisors and the overall capacity of its supervisors.

Date: 2016-12-08
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Renames the basic employment eligibility verification pilot program established under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 as the Employment Eligibility Verification System. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide for permanent nationwide implementation of the System. Requires entities hiring individuals for employment in the United States to participate in such System. Phases in compliance requirements over a seven-year period according to the number of persons employed by the entity. Establishes sanctions for noncompliance. Provides for voluntary participation by entities not required to participate.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Immigration
Rail Worker Emergency Training Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, to make grants to railroad carriers for costs incurred in instituting a rail worker emergency training program. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue detailed guidelines for a rail worker emergency training program to enhance rail worker training in preparation for and response to potential or actual terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other emergencies. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue a letter of noncompliance to rail carriers that fail to comply with the requirements of this Act.

Date: 2007-01-17
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Transportation and public works
American Competitiveness and Adjustment Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to: (1) trade adjustment assistance; (2) data collection; (3) industry-wide certifications; (4) trade adjustment assistance for farmers; (5) trade adjustment assistance for firms; and (6) trade adjustment assistance for service workers and firms and industries. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise and increase the health care tax credit. Establishes in the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce an Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance. Extends the trade adjustment assistance program through FY2012.

Date: 2007-02-08
Topic: Labor (Employment Training)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance