zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill revises provisions relating to presidential pensions to allow former Presidents a lifetime annual annuity of $200,000 and an additional annual monetary allowance of $200,000, each adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases as provided by the Social Security Act. It reduces the annual monetary allowance by the amount that a former President's adjusted gross income in a taxable year exceeds $400,000. 

The bill prohibits the monetary allowance from being less than the amount that the General Services Administration and the U.S. Secret Service determine is needed to pay the increased cost of doing business that is attributable to the security needs of the former President.

The annuity and allowance shall not be payable for any period during which a former President holds an appointive or elective position in or under the federal government that pays more than a nominal rate.

The bill increases from $20,000 to $100,000 the annual annuity of a surviving spouse of a former President.

(Sec. 3) Nothing in this bill shall be construed to affect: (1) a law relating to the security or protection of a former President or a family member of a former President, or (2) funding to carry out such security or protection.

(Sec. 4) The bill applies to an individual who is a former President or the widow of a former President as of the date of enactment.

(Sec. 5) For a former President receiving a monetary allowance before the enactment of this bill, the reduction of the monetary allowance for adjusted gross income required by this bill applies, except to the extent that it would prevent the former President from being able to pay the cost of a lease or other contract that is in effect on the day before enactment of this bill and under which the former President makes payments using the monetary allowance.

Date: 2015-04-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Protective Service Parity Act of 2015

Includes Federal Protective Service (FPS) law enforcement officers within the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System. Defines "Federal Protective Service law enforcement officer" as an FPS employee who holds a position within specified General Schedule job series and is authorized to carry firearms and empowered to make arrests related to the protection of buildings, grounds, and property owned by the federal government and persons on the property.

Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to determine and fix the maximum age limit for an original appointment to a position as an FPS officer. Establishes a minimum annuity amount for individuals serving as FPS officers on the effective date of this Act.

Date: 2015-04-16
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Hold Congress Accountable Act

 Requires a reduction in the annual rate of pay of a Member of Congress during a government shutdown equal to the product of 1 day's worth of pay under such annual rate and the number of 24-hour periods during which the government shutdown is in effect. Makes such reduction applicable to days occurring after the date of the general election for federal office held in November 2016.

Requires any amount of pay of a Member of Congress in the 114th Congress that is reduced due to a government shutdown to be held in escrow until the last day of the 114th Congress and released for payment to Members at that time.

Date: 2015-04-23
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Government Spending Accountability Act of 2015 or the GSA Act of 2015

 Requires each federal agency to post on its public website detailed information on employee presentations at conferences, including: (1) the prepared text of any verbal presentation; and (2) any visual, digital, video, or audio materials presented, including photographs, slides, and audio-visual recordings.

Limits to $500,000 the amount that any agency may spend to support a single conference. Allows an agency head to waive such limitation for a specific conference after making a determination that a higher expenditure is justified as the most cost-effective option to achieve a compelling purpose.

Prohibits an agency from paying the travel expenses for more than 50 employees stationed in the United States to attend any international conference, unless the Secretary of State determines that attendance of more than 50 employees is in the national interest, or the agency head determines that the attendance of such employees is critical to the agency's mission.

Requires each agency to post on its public website quarterly reports on each conference costing more than $10,000 for which the agency paid travel expenses during the preceding three months.

Limits agency travel expenses for FY2016-FY2020 to 70% of the aggregate amount of such expenses for FY2010. Requires the Office of Management and Budget to establish guidelines for determining what expenses constitute travel expenses for purposes of the ceiling imposed on such expenses. Exempts from such limitation military travel expenses.

Date: 2015-04-27
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act

 Amends the definition of the term "law enforcement officer" under provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to include: (1) federal employees not otherwise covered by such term whose duties include the investigation or apprehension of suspected or convicted individuals and who are authorized to carry a firearm, (2) such employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whose duties are primarily the collection of delinquent taxes and the securing of delinquent returns, (3) an employee of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and (4) an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs who is a department police officer.

Requires such service that is performed by an incumbent law enforcement officer: (1) on or after enactment of this Act to be treated for all purposes other than retirement as service performed as a law enforcement officer; and (2) before enactment of this Act to be treated for federal retirement purposes as service performed as such an officer only if a written election is submitted to the Office of Personnel Management within five years after enactment of this Act or before separation from government service, whichever is earlier. Allows an incumbent who makes an election to be treated as a law enforcement officer to pay a deposit into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund to cover prior service.

Provides that nothing under current law respecting mandatory separation from government service under CSRS or FERS shall cause the mandatory separation of an officer during the three-year period beginning on the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2015-05-12
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Furloughed Federal Employee Double Dip Elimination Act 

 Requires regulations pertaining to the compensation of a federal employee who receives back pay for a period in which such employee was furloughed due to a lapse in appropriations to ensure that such back pay be treated in the same way as federal wages attributable to such employee and that the period to which such back pay relates be treated in the same way as a period of federal service attributable to such employee (thereby disqualifying such employee for receipt of state unemployment compensation).

Date: 2015-05-21
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill expands the cash awards program for disclosures by federal employees of fraud, waste, or mismanagement that result in cost savings to the employee's agency to include identification of surplus salaries and expenses funds that: (1) an agency employee identifies as unnecessary, (2) the inspector general and the chief financial officer of the agency determine are not required for the purpose for which the amounts were made available, and (3) the rescission of which would not be detrimental to the full execution of the purposes for which the amounts were made available.

Any savings resulting from such identifications must be deposited in the Treasury and used to reduce a budget deficit or the federal debt. But agencies may retain up to 10% of such savings for the purpose of paying cash awards to employees who identify surplus salaries and expenses funds.

Each fiscal year, agencies must submit reports to the Department of the Treasury regarding: (1) the total savings achieved through disclosures of possible fraud, waste, or mismanagement and identifications of surplus salaries and expenses funds by an employee; and (2) each disclosure that has merit and the number and amount of cash awards by the agency. This information must also be included in agency budget requests submitted to the Office of Management and Budget.

Treasury must report annually to Congress on federal cost saving and awards based on agency reports about such employee disclosures. The Office of Personnel Management must certify annually whether each agency's cash award program complies with this bill.

Every three years, the Government Accountability Office must report on the operation of the program and any recommendations for legislative improvements.

The bill prohibits the payment of awards to: (1) federal officers who serve in a position at level I of the Executive Schedule; (2) the head of an agency; or (3) a commissioner, board member, or other voting member of an independent establishment.

Date: 2015-05-21
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Protecting Our Children Act

 Amends the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 to exempt from its prohibition against lie detector use the employers of prospective employees who care for or supervise or interact with unsupervised children on a frequent basis.

Requires such prospective employees to be given reasonable written notice of the date, time, and location of the polygraph test and of their right to consult with legal counsel or an employee representative before each phase of the test.

Date: 2015-06-02
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Labor and employment
Federal Employee Short-Term Disability Insurance Act of 2015

Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish and administer a program for short-term (i.e., up to 12 months) disability insurance coverage for federal employees for: (1) an injury or disability that is not work related, (2) leave to care for a family member, and (3) leave to make arrangements to become a foster parent or to adopt a child. Disqualifies an employee for such insurance if an injury or disability is caused by willful misconduct, a self-inflicted injury, or intoxication.

Requires the Director to contract with one or more insurance carriers for disability insurance coverage plans, without regard to competitive bidding requirements. Requires such plans to contain a detailed statement of benefits offered, the premiums charged, and the duration of the enrollment period.

Authorizes the Director to prescribe reasonable minimum standards for benefits offered by such plans, including a prohibition against excluding or penalizing an employee for a preexisting condition.

Requires individuals eligible for coverage under a disability insurance plan to be responsible for 100% of the premiums for the coverage offered.

Establishes in the Employees' Life Insurance Fund a Non-Work Related Disability Insurance Administrative Account, which shall be available to OPM to defray reasonable expenses incurred in administering this Act and to which contracted carriers shall make contributions necessary to cover such expenses.

Date: 2015-06-11
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Requires that all civilian employees of military installations which are not located within the same pay locality and which are reorganized or associated as a single joint installation receive uniform locality pay at the percentage payable with respect to the locality then receiving the highest locality pay.

Date: 2015-06-16
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Citizen Empowerment Act of 2015

Requires any executive agency employee who is conducting an in-person or a telephonic interview, audit, investigation, inspection, or other official interaction with an individual relating to a possible violation of federal law that could result in the imposition of civil or criminal fines or penalties or the collection of unpaid tax to allow such individual to make an audio recording of the interaction.

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

Requires the employee conducting an initial in-person or telephonic interview or other interaction to provide to the individual a verbal or written notice of such individual's rights.

Exempts from the application of this Act any in-person or telephonic interview or other interaction that: (1) is likely to include the discussion of classified material or information that would endanger public safety if released publicly; or (2) if released, would endanger an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by a federal law enforcement officer.

Date: 2015-06-23
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) 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.

Date: 2015-07-10
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Retired Civil Servant Military Service Restoration Act of 2015

Allows an employee or Member of Congress who has performed military service and who retires on or after September 8, 1982, to make the deposit required for crediting such service under the Civil Service Retirement System at any time before or after the date of separation on which the entitlement to an annuity under such System is based.

Requires such a deposit made after separation, and the annuity or lump-sum payable after such deposit, to include computed interest.

Requires the retirement counselor training program to ensure that employees and Members who served in the Armed Forces are made aware of the provisions governing crediting military service.

Date: 2015-07-23
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Intern Protection Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill extends protections against discrimination in a federal workplace based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability to interns (individuals who perform uncompensated voluntary service in a federal agency to earn credit awarded by an educational institution or to learn a trade or occupation) and applicants for internships.

Date: 2015-07-28
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Postal Innovation Act

This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to establish a pilot program to provide nonpostal services through public-private partnerships in five postal districts or regions, including at least one rural area. Such nonpostal services may include financial services, warehousing, experimental postal products market testing, community support services, Internet voting, municipal broadband and public wireless Internet service, emergency broadband Internet service, and passport services. The bill also authorizes the USPS to furnish property and services to a state, local, or tribal government. USPS may use cost savings from providing such services to reinvest in innovation, research and development, and operations.

The bill sets forth conditions under which alcoholic beverages shall be considered mailable. They must be mailed: (1) by a covered shipper, (2) in accordance with delivery requirements otherwise applicable to privately carried shipments, and (3) by a means that ensures direct delivery to a duly authorized agent at a postal facility or to the addressee, who must be at least 21 years of age and must present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of delivery. The alcoholic beverage may not be for resale or other commercial purpose.

The bill authorizes USPS to enter into contracts to upgrade its fleet of vehicles to increase long-term savings by reducing collision, maintenance, fuel, or other costs. USPS must: (1) develop guidelines for carbon dioxide emissions, fuel economy, and safety for its vehicles; and (2) reduce the petroleum consumption of its vehicles by not less than 2% annually through the end of FY2025.

The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study on the feasibility of USPS providing Internet services to the public.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Locality Pay Equity Act 

 This bill: (1) prohibits the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from defining more than one local wage area for prevailing rate employees within a pay locality, except with respect to the pay locality designated as "Rest of United States"; and (2) requires the OPM to ensure that this Act shall not have the effect of reducing any rate of basic pay for any individual who is serving as a prevailing rate employee.

Date: 2015-09-11
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 1 day's worth of pay under such annual rate and the number of 24-hour periods during which the government shutdown is in effect. This prohibition is applicable to days occurring during the 115th and succeeding Congresses.

Date: 2015-09-18
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Federal Firefighter Flexibility and Fairness Act

This bill provides that any hours worked by a firefighter under a qualified trade-of-time arrangement shall be disregarded for purposes of determining eligibility for, or the amount of, any overtime pay. The bill defines "qualified trade-of-time arrangement" as an arrangement under which two firefighters who are employed by the same agency agree, solely at their option and with the approval of their employing agency, to substitute for one another during scheduled work hours in the performance of work in the same capacity.

Date: 2015-09-18
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act

This bill requires federal employees furloughed due to a lapse in appropriations that begins on or about October 1, 2015, to be compensated at their standard rate of compensation for the period of such lapse as soon as practicable after such lapse ends.

Date: 2015-09-29
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Congressional Death Benefit Elimination Act of 2015

This bill declares that no payment of death gratuities may be made to surviving heirs of deceased Members of Congress from congressional accounts or any other appropriated funds.

Date: 2015-10-16
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Senior Executive Service Taking Responsibility for Unilateral Station Transfers Act or the SES TRUST Act

This bill directs the appointing authority for each agency to periodically determine the annual rate of basic pay for each Senior Executive Service (SES) position within such agency. Any senior executive who transfers or otherwise moves to an SES position with the same or any other agency shall receive the rate of pay applicable to that position.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must review any decision to reassign a senior executive to another SES position, within 30 days after such reassignment, to ensure that the decision was not based on an impermissible reason (defined as any reason other than performance of the senior executive or interests in the efficiency of the SES). If OPM determines that the reassignment was based on an impermissible reason, and the rate of basic pay applicable to such other position is lower than the rate provided under the previous position, the senior executive shall retain the higher rate of pay.

The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit, semiannually, a report on covered senior executives who transfer from one SES position to another within the VA, including a justification for any increase or decrease in pay, and information on any incentives or relocation expenses, received by such person.

Date: 2015-10-20
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
This bill repeals specified authorizations for office space, office expenses, franking and printing privileges, and staff for former Speakers of the House.

Date: 2015-12-09
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Senior Executive Service Accountability Act 

(Sec. 2) This bill revises personnel requirements for employees in the Senior Executive Service (SES) to:

 require each federal agency to include in its biennial report to the Office of Personnel Management a justification for certain SES positions and the specific result expected from each position, including the impact of such result on the agency mission; extend the probationary period for SES employees from one year to two years; eliminate the authority for allowing an SES employee removed for a less than fully successful executive performance to retain an SES pay grade level if appointed to a civil service position; require a written description of employee performance requirements to be provided to SES employees by 30 calendar days before each rating period; make SES employees subject to the same 14-day (or less) suspension period, without duties and pay, as is applicable to other federal employees; expand the grounds for suspension or termination of an SES employee to include such cause as would promote the efficiency of the SES; allow an agency to place an SES employee on mandatory leave for misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or such cause as would promote the efficiency of the SES; provide for expedited removal of SES employees for performance or misconduct and for an expedited appeals process for removals; and require mandatory reassignments of SES employees at least once every five years.

Date: 2016-01-08
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Administrative Leave Reform Act

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits placing a federal employee on administrative leave, or any other paid non-duty status without charge to leave, for more than 14 total days for reasons relating to misconduct or performance.

After an employee has been placed on administrative leave for 14 days, the employing agency: (1) shall return the employee to duty status, utilizing telework if available, and assign the employee to duties if such employee is not a threat to safety, the agency mission, or government property; or (2) may place an employee who is found to be such a threat on extended administrative leave for additional periods of not more than 30 days each.

For any additional period of 30 days granted to the employee after the initial 30-day extension, the agency shall submit a report containing:

 the title, position, office or agency subcomponent, job series, pay grade, and salary of the employee; a description of the employee's work duties; the reason for the administrative leave; an explanation as to why the employee is such a threat; an explanation as to why the employee is not able to telework or be reassigned to another position within the agency; the status of any pending related investigation and a certification that such additional time is needed; and the results of a completed investigation and the reason that the employee remains on administrative leave. An investigative entity must certify to the applicable agency that such additional time is needed and include an estimate of the length of such additional time.

 An agency may not grant such additional period of administrative leave to an employee on or after 30 days following the completion of a related investigation.

Date: 2016-01-11
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 16, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Official Personnel File Enhancement Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires that a permanent notation be made in the official personnel record file of a federal employee in the competitive or excepted service who is the subject of a personnel investigation and who resigns prior to the resolution of such investigation, if an adverse finding is made against such employee at the close of such investigation.

The bill defines "personnel investigation" to include: (1) an investigation by an Inspector General; and (2) an adverse personnel action as a result of performance, misconduct, or for such cause as will promote the efficiency of the service under provisions relating to performance appraisals or adverse actions.

The agency employing such employee shall make such notation within 40 days after the resolution of such investigation.

Prior to making such notation, the agency shall:

 notify the employee in writing within 5 days of such resolution and provide such employee a copy of the adverse finding and any supporting documentation, provide the employee at least 30 days to respond in writing and to furnish affidavits and other documentary evidence to show why the adverse finding was unfounded, and provide a written decision regarding such notation and the specific reasons to the employee at the earliest practicable date. The bill entitles an employee to appeal the agency's decision to the Merit Systems Protection Board. Such an appeal shall be noted in the employee's file while the appeal is pending. If the employee is the prevailing party on appeal, the agency shall remove the notation regarding the adverse finding from the employee's file within two weeks after the Board issues its decision.

(Sec. 3) The bill requires any federal government appointing authority to review and consider the personnel file of a former federal employee who is a candidate for a position within the competitive or excepted service prior to appointing or reinstating such employee to such a position.

Date: 2016-01-11
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
This bill provides for appellate review by the Merit Systems Protection Board for employees or applicants for employment who were determined ineligible for a sensitive position if: (1) such position does not require a security clearance or access to classified information, and (2) such determination is otherwise appealable.

Date: 2016-02-01
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act or the FAIR Act

 This bill increases the rates 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 by 3.9% for FY2017.

The percentage adjustment for locality-based comparability payments for calendar year 2017 shall be an increase of 1.4%.

Date: 2016-02-23
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
DOD Workforce Flexibility Act of 2016

This bill permits employees of the Department of Defense (DOD) who are serving in a temporary position in the competitive service to compete for vacant permanent positions in the competitive service under DOD's merit promotion procedures.

Date: 2016-03-03
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
No Budget, No Pay Act 

This bill withholds the salaries of Members of a house of Congress that has not agreed to a budget resolution for FY2017 by April 15, 2016, as required by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

Salaries are withheld from April 16, 2016, until the earlier of the date that the house of Congress agrees to a budget resolution or the last day of the 114th Congress.

Date: 2016-03-17
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Economics and public finance
American Dream Employment Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 to permit the compensation of congressional employees who have been issued employment authorization documents under the Department of Homeland Security's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program.

The program enables many unlawfully present aliens who came to the United States as children to be granted deferred action (a type of relief from removal which does not confer immigration status) and work authorization.

Date: 2016-03-23
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill applies provisions governing availability pay for criminal investigators to any employee of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations who is a law enforcement officer.

Date: 2016-04-12
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill allows otherwise eligible employees of a land management agency serving under a time-limited appointment in the competitive service to compete for a permanent appointment in the competitive service: (1) at such agency when the agency is accepting applications from individuals within the agency's workforce under merit promotion procedures, or (2) at any agency when the agency is accepting applications from individuals outside its own workforce under its merit promotion procedures.

A former employee of a land management agency who served under a time-limited appointment and who otherwise meets applicable requirements shall be deemed a time-limited employee of the agency from which the former employee was most recently separated.

Date: 2016-04-12
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
No Work, No Pay Act of 2016

 This bill prohibits placing a federal employee on administrative leave, or any other paid non-duty status without charge to leave, for more than 30 consecutive days for reasons relating to misconduct or performance.

In the case of an employee placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, an agency may grant an extension of administrative leave for additional periods of up to 30 consecutive days each if the office investigating the employee submits a report to Congress and the agency certifying that additional time is needed.

Date: 2016-04-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
No Hires for the Delinquent Congress Act 

This bill prohibits any legislative branch office from extending an offer of employment to any individual until the applicable certifying official (the Speaker of the House and/or the President pro tempore of the Senate) submits to Congress either: (1) a written certification that the office does not employ any individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt, or (2) a report detailing why the certification cannot be made.

The certifying official's report when such a certification is not made must:

 state that the certification cannot be made, explain why the certification is not possible, outline remedial actions required for the certifying official to be in a position to so certify, and indicate the time required for those actions to be completed. A seriously delinquent tax debt is an outstanding tax debt for which the Internal Revenue Service has filed a notice of lien in public records, excluding 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 is pending, (3) for which a tax levy has been issued, or (4) with respect to which relief has been granted due to economic hardship.

Date: 2016-04-20
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
HHS Data Protection Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to create the position of Chief Information Security Officer of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and transfer to this position the functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Chief Information Security Officer in the Office of the Chief Information Officer of HHS. The Chief Information Security Officer is appointed by the President.

HHS must report on the Chief Information Security Officer's plan to oversee and coordinate information security programs and the steps being taken in each division to implement the plan.

Date: 2016-04-26
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Health
This bill prohibits the use of funds made available in or after FY2016 by an executive agency for yoga classes or any other form of yoga instruction.

The bill defines "executive agency" to include the U.S. Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission, but excludes the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs.

Date: 2016-05-13
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 20, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Modernizing Government Travel Act

(Sec. 2) 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 innovative mobility technology. The Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall prescribe such regulations with respect to 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 affiliated with such entity in order for a driver to provide transportation services to a rider.

(Sec. 3) The bill revises the reporting requirements regarding payments pertaining to official travel.

By November 31 of each year, each agency shall submit to the GSA, in a format prescribed by it and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), an analysis of the total costs of transportation service by type and the total number of trips utilizing each transportation type for purposes of official travel.

The GSA shall make the data submitted publicly available upon receipt.

By January 31 of each year, the GSA shall submit to the OMB and to specified congressional committees: (1) an analysis of the data submitted for specified agencies (as listed under a provision regarding the establishment of agency Chief Financial Officers), and (2) a description of any new regulations promulgated or changes to existing regulations authorized.

Date: 2016-07-05
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.)

Tested Ability to Leverage Exceptional National Talent Act of 2016 or the TALENT Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill codifies provisions establishing the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program (originally established pursuant to Executive Order 13704) to encourage successful entrepreneurs, executives, and innovators to join the government and work in close cooperation with government leaders to create meaningful solutions that can help save lives and taxpayer money, fuel job creation, and significantly improve how the government serves the American people.

The General Services Administration (GSA) shall continue the program in order 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.

The program shall be administered by a Director, who shall appoint program fellows and facilitate their placement to participate in projects that have the potential for significant positive effects and that are consistent with the President's goals.

The GSA shall continue an advisory board to recommend priorities and standards for fulfilling the program's mission and to assist in identifying potential projects and placements for fellows.

Date: 2016-07-07
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Taking Responsibility Using Secured Technologies Act of 2016

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should have any security clearance she holds revoked and should be denied access to classified information unless she earns the legal right to such access, and (2) any of her colleagues who demonstrated extreme carelessness in their handling of classified information should no longer have access to that information.

The bill prohibits granting a security clearance to, and requires revocation of the security clearance of, any federal officer or employee who has exercised extreme carelessness in the handling of classified information.

The bill also amends a provision of the federal criminal code that subjects to criminal penalties anyone entrusted with, or having lawful possession or control of, national defense information who, through gross negligence, permits that information to be removed from its proper place of custody or delivered to anyone or to be lost, stolen, abstracted, or destroyed. The bill explicitly states that "gross negligence," for these purposes, includes extreme or reckless carelessness.

Date: 2016-07-08
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Bureau of Investigation Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill revises a provision with respect to whistle-blower protections for a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) employee or job applicant who discloses wrongdoing to an appropriate official.

It prohibits an FBI employee from taking or failing to take a personnel action (e.g., demotion) with respect to an FBI employee or applicant because of a protected disclosure. A protected disclosure is a disclosure of information to an appropriate official which an employee or applicant reasonably believes evidences: (1) a violation of a law, rule, or regulation; or (2) waste, fraud, or abuse.

Additionally, the bill expands the list of appropriate officials who may receive a protected disclosure to include, among others, a supervisor in an employee's direct chain of command.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Federal Employee Accountability Act of 2016 or FEAA

This bill allows federal agencies, under Office of Personnel Management regulations, to remove certain employees from civil service or to reduce their grade or pay.

An employee may appeal within 7 days to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), which must refer the case to an administrative judge to expedite a final decision within 45 days after the MSPB receives the appeal.

If the administrative judge cannot reach a decision within 45 days, the removal or reduction becomes final. But the MSPB must explain to Congress why a decision was not issued.

Date: 2016-07-14
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.)

Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act

(Sec. 2) 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: 2016-07-21
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Transit Benefits Modernization Act 

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat the use of a transportation network company by federal employees during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this bill and ending on December 31, 2018, as a qualified transportation fringe benefit that is excluded from an employee's gross income.

A "transportation network company" is a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity that uses a digital network to connect riders to drivers affiliated with the entity in order for a driver to provide transportation services to a rider.

(Sec. 3) During the period beginning on the date of enactment of this bill and ending on December 31, 2018, any agency that provides transit benefits to employees must provide benefits for using digital transportation companies within the Washington Metropolitan Area in the same manner as benefits are provided for using public transportation services in the area.

A "digital transportation company" is any transportation network company or car-sharing service (a membership or non-membership based service primarily designed for shorter time or shorter distance trips where individuals are charged per mile or per hour, or both, for vehicle usage).

To elect to receive benefits under this section, an employee must agree in writing not to accept any other transit or parking benefit offered by any agency with a transit benefit program while receiving the benefits under this section.

The amount of transit benefits provided to an employee under this section may not exceed the monthly average transit benefit received by the employee during the six-month period immediately preceding the month during which an election is made.

Date: 2016-09-13
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.)

Follow the Rules Act

(Sec. 2) This bill extends the prohibition (regarding employment in the federal government) against a person taking, failing to take, or threatening to take or fail to take a personnel action against any employee or applicant for employment for refusing to obey an order that would require the individual to violate a law to personnel actions against such an individual for refusing to obey an order that would violate a rule or regulation.

Date: 2016-09-27
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Fair Pay for Presidential Protection Act

This bill creates an exception to a limitation on premium pay for U.S. Secret Service personnel performing protective services during any year in which a presidential election is held to the extent that payment of such pay does not cause: (1) the aggregate total of basic and premium pay for any pay period to exceed the biweekly equivalent of the annual salary rate established for level I of the Executive Schedule; or (2) the total basic and premium pay in any calendar year to exceed the annual salary rate established for such level.

 Such additional premium pay shall not be considered or creditable as basic pay for purposes of retirement or any other purpose and shall not be used in computing payment for accumulated and accrued annual leave.

The Director of the Secret Service may act as the head of an agency in applying such annual limitation on premium pay in calendar years in which a presidential election is not held.

Date: 2016-11-15
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) This bill provides that of the three members appointed to the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance to replace the three members whose terms expire in March 2017, one shall have a three-year term and two shall have a four-year term. (The OOC was established by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to administer and enforce that Act and to assist Members of Congress in understanding their rights and responsibilities under workplace and accessibility laws.)

The board members appointed to replace the two members whose terms expire in May 2017 shall each have a five-year term.

This bill allows a board member whose term expires in: (1) March 2017 to be reappointed to serve one additional three or four-year term, and (2) May 2017 to be reappointed to serve an additional five-year term. Such board members may not be reappointed to any additional terms after their additional term expires.

The bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to permit a board member to serve after his or her term has expired until a successor has taken office.

Date: 2016-12-01
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
This bill prohibits an individual occupying a political position in the civil service from being appointed to a career position in the civil service for two years after the individual separates from such political position.

Date: 2016-12-02
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics