zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Routine HIV Screening Coverage Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to provide coverage for routine HIV screening under terms and conditions no less favorable than for other routine preventive health services. Prohibits such a plan from taking specified actions to avoid the requirements of this Act. Requires inclusion of a notice of such screening coverage in the uniform summary of benefits and coverage explanation provided by the group health plan or health insurance issuer. Defines "routine HIV screening" as having the meaning given the term by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) after consultation with the the Office of National AIDS Policy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health care professionals, and other qualified individuals. Applies requirements of this Act to health insurance coverage offered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

Date: 2012-04-19
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Health
Congressional Double Dipping Pension Prevention Act - Prohibits any former Member of Congress who is registered as a lobbyist from receiving pension benefits under either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) while such former Member is employed as a lobbyist and is receiving an annual income from lobbying activities in excess of $1 million.

Date: 2012-05-11
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Amends provisions of federal law relating to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and its employees to: (1) require the transfer of any surplus government contributions to the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) in FY2012-FY2014 for postal employees to USPS for repayment of debt obligations and to make required payments to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund and to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, and (2) authorize USPS to provide nonpostal services. Expresses the sense of Congress that if USPS is permitted to offer its employees health benefits under a program separate from the Federal Employees Health Benefits  Program, the Postmaster General shall work with employee representatives in exclusive bargaining units to establish such a program.

Date: 2012-05-16
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide veterans' case-tracking information access to employees of a Member of Congress or of a state or local governmental agency who regularly assist veterans with benefit claims. Directs the Secretary to ensure that such access does not: (1) allow the employee to modify the data in the case-tracking system, and (2) include access to medical records.

Date: 2012-05-31
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Redefines "Member of Congress" under the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) with respect to the exclusion from the meaning of "Member" as any Member of the House of Representatives, including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to Congress, who opts out of FERS, but only if he or she served as a Member before the enactment of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2004. Repeals the requirement of service before enactment of such Act. (Thus, allows Members to opt out of FERS benefits regardless of when they have been elected.)

Date: 2012-06-15
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Government Employee Accountability Act - Sets forth investigative leave requirements for federal employees in the competitive service and Senior Executive Service (SES) career employees. Defines "investigative leave" as a temporary absence without duty for disciplinary reasons, for up to 90 days. Authorizes a federal agency to place an employee on investigative leave: (1) without loss of pay and without charge to annual or sick leave only for misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or misappropriation of funds; or (2) without pay if such employee's conduct is determined to be serious or flagrant. Requires an agency head to: (1) review the investigation into an employee's misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or misappropriation of funds at the end of each 45-day investigative period; (2) report on such review to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs not later than 5 business days after the end of each 45-day period; and (3) remove, suspend without pay, or reinstate or restore such employee to duty at the end of the investigative leave period. Allows an agency to extend a period of investigative leave for an additional period not to exceed 90 days. Entitles an employee, before being placed on investigative leave, to: (1) at least 30-days' advance written notice, stating specific reasons for the proposed action, unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the employee has committed a crime for which a sentence of imprisonment can be imposed or unless the agency head determines that the employee's conduct is serious or flagrant; (2) a reasonable time, but not less than 7 days, to answer orally and in writing and to furnish affidavits and other evidence in support of the answer; (3) be represented by an attorney or other representative; and (4) a written decision with specific reasons at the earliest practicable date. Entitles an employee who is placed on administrative leave to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Includes misappropriation of funds as a ground in suspending or reinstating an SES employee or placing such employee in another civil service position.

Date: 2012-06-21
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States with respect to the requirement that the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives deduct from the monthly payments of each Member of the House (or Delegate) the amount of the Member's salary for each day of absence from the House, except in the case of the Member's sickness or the sickness of a family member. Adds Resident Commissioner to Member and Delegate under such requirement. Considers a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner (Member) to be absent from the House on a day if the individual does not cast a vote on any vote taken in the House (including any vote taken in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union) on that day. Requires a written notice to the Speaker of the House about the Member's or family member's sickness under the exception. Requires the Chief Administrative Officer, within five days after the end of each month, to publish on the House official public Internet site a list showing: (1) specified information regarding each Member whose pay was subject to such a deduction for the month; and (2) each Member who submitted a written notice to the Speaker during the month, together with a copy of the notice.

Date: 2012-07-09
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Wildland Firefighters Health Protection Act - Defines "wildland firefighter" as an employee of a federal land management agency who performs work directly related to the prevention, control, suppression, and management of wildfires, including an employee who is assigned to support wildland fire suppression activities and an employee who is transferred to a supervisory or administrative position. Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in cooperation with such agencies, to commence development of a separate wildland firefighter occupational series that will more accurately reflect the variety of duties performed. Requires a wildland firefighter's hours of work officially ordered or approved in excess of 40 hours per week or 8 hours per day to be considered overtime work. Makes time the firefighter is away from his or her official duty station assigned to an emergency incident, in support of an emergency incident, or pre-positioned for emergency response compensable as work time. Includes hazardous duty differentials as basic pay for retirement purposes. Prohibits OPM from excluding wildland firefighters from federal employees' group life insurance (FEGLI) and from federal health care benefits.

Date: 2012-07-10
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Servicemembers Rights Enforcement Improvement Act of 2012 - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (the Act) concerning the protection of servicemembers against default judgments to require a plaintiff, before filing an affidavit, to conduct a diligent and reasonable investigation to determine whether or not the defendant is in military service, including a search of available records of the Department of Defense (DOD) and any other available information. Doubles the penalties for first and subsequent violations of the Act. Allows a veteran on whose behalf a complaint of a violation of employment or reemployment rights is made by the Attorney General (AG) to intervene in such action, and to obtain appropriate relief. Requires the AG, within 60 days after receiving a referral of an unsuccessful attempt to resolve a complaint relating to a state or private employer, to notify the person on whose behalf the complaint is submitted of either the decision to commence such an action or of when such decision is expected to be made. Requires, in the latter case, such decision to be made within an additional 30 days. Requires the AG to commence such an action when there is reasonable cause to believe that a state or private employer is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of such employment and reemployment rights and benefits, and that the pattern or practice is intended to deny the full exercise of such rights and benefits. Provides the Special Counsel with subpoena power to require the attendance and testimony of, and production of documents from, federal employees, to be enforced through the Merit Systems Protection Board. Authorizes the AG to issue and serve a civil investigative demand for the production of documentary material relevant to an investigation under the Act.

Date: 2012-08-02
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act - Makes an employee of a land management agency who served under a time-limited appointment in the competitive service eligible to compete for a permanent appointment in the agency if the original appointment was competitive, totaled a period of at least 24 months, and the employee's performance was satisfactory. Requires such an employee's appointment to a full-time position, if such a position is offered and the employee agrees to such employment, if the original position stated that there was the potential for the position to become permanent.

Date: 2012-08-02
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Non-Federal Employee Whistleblower Protection Act of 2012 - Repeals and replaces provisions prohibiting reprisals against employees of civilian and defense contractors for disclosing to a federal official information relating to a substantial violation of law related to a public contract. Prohibits an employee of any non-federal employer receiving covered funds (i.e., a contract, grant, or other payment any portion of which is provided by the federal government) from being discharged, demoted, or discriminated against as a reprisal for initiating or participating in any proceeding related to the misuse of federal funds, reasonably opposing the misuse of federal funds, or disclosing to specified federal agencies or officials information that the employee reasonably believes is evidence of: (1) gross mismanagement of an agency contract or grant relating to covered funds; (2) a gross waste of covered funds; (3) a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or an abuse of authority, related to the implementation or use of covered funds; or (4) a violation of a law, rule, or regulation related to an agency contract, subcontract, or grant relating to covered funds. Sets forth provisions on: (1) time limitations for determinations by inspector generals on whether to conduct or continue an investigation of a reprisal complaint, (2) access by a complainant to the inspector general's investigative file, (3) the standard of proof for showing the occurrence of a reprisal, (4) agency actions to deny relief or remedy a reprisal, (5) the exhaustion of administrative remedies authorizing civil action by a complainant, and (6) nonenforceability of waivers and arbitration of disputes.

Date: 2012-09-13
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
End the Congressional Revolving Door Act - Prohibits a former Member of Congress or former congressional employee who is a registered lobbyist, and entitled to compensation as such, from being eligible for any benefits beginning after enactment of this Act under: the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP); the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), including the TSP; the Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, including federal enhanced dental and vision benefits; or the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program. States that nothing in this Act shall be considered to prevent the payment of any: (1) CSRS or FERS lump-sum credit to which an individual is entitled, or (2) nonforfeitable amount in an individual's Thrift Savings Fund account.

Date: 2012-09-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Member Pay Reduction and Responsibility Act of 2012 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to require that, if any sequestration under it takes effect for FY2013, the presidential order implementing the sequestration reduce the pay of the President, the Vice President, and Members of Congress by a percentage equal to the greater of 8.2% or the percentage by which accounts within the non-exempt, non-security category are reduced under the order.

Date: 2012-09-19
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Workers Solidarity Act of 2012 - Requires any person found by a final decision or order to have engaged in an unfair labor practice in violation of the National Labor Relations Act to: (1) be proposed for debarment for five years from any federal contract or grant, and (2) be ineligible for five years to receive a federal subsidy or loan. Requires revision of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to require each federal contract to require the contractor to include a clause in any subcontract certifying that the subcontractor has not been found to have engaged in an unfair labor practice in violation of the Act.

Date: 2012-12-13
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Congressional Pay Freeze and Fiscal Responsibility Act - Amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, as amended by the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 (P.L. 112-175), to extend the freeze on adjustments to pay of federal employees and officials, including Members of Congress, through December 31, 2013. Eliminates the delayed statutory pay adjustment contained in the Resolution that was permitted to take effect with the first applicable pay period beginning after March 27, 2013.

Date: 2013-01-01
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Transportation Security Administration Ombudsman Act of 2011 - Establishes in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) an Office of the Ombudsman, which shall be headed by the Ombudsman of TSA. Requires the individual appointed as Ombudsman to have expertise in: (1) labor and employment relations with federal agencies, and (2) dispute resolution. Directs the Ombudsman to assist TSA employees who have complaints about TSA, including publicizing a toll-free telephone number to report such complaints. Requires the TSA administrator to make publicly available on the TSA Internet site information about the Office of the Ombudsman, including contact information. Requires the Ombudsman to report annually to Congress on actions taken over the preceding year regarding TSA employee complaints. Authorizes appropriations for FY2012-FY2014.

Date: 3/17/2011
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Transportation Security Administration Employee Freedom Act of 2011 - Excludes officers and employees of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from the right of federal employees to bargain collectively. Subjects also to such exclusion the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel management system as it applies to TSA employees. Amends the Aviation and Transportation Security Act to provide that, notwithstanding the authority of the TSA Administrator to fix the terms and conditions of employment of TSA screeners, nothing shall prohibit such an employee from joining a labor organization. Authorizes screeners to: (1) appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board adverse actions brought against them which are finalized after enactment of the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, and (2) seek judicial review of any resulting Board orders or decisions. Requires the FAA Administrator to provide to TSA screeners with a collaborative, integrated employee engagement mechanism to address workplace issues. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2003 to apply certain whistleblower protections to DHS employees.

Date: 7/12/2011
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Requires any amounts remaining of Senate Official Personnel and Office Expense Accounts after all payments are made for the year to be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction or, in fiscal years for which there is no federal budget deficit, to reduce the federal debt.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to require any employer contribution made on behalf of  the President, Vice President,  or any political appointee to be paid only to the issuer of a plan through an American Health Benefit Exchange (a state health insurance exchange created under PPACA), and not through the federal employees health benefit program. (Currently, this requirement applies to Members of Congress and congressional staff.)

Date: 2011-01-26
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Employees' Compensation Reform Act of 2011 - Requires federal employees, including postal employees, who are receiving total or partial disability benefits under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) to convert to the federal retirement system when such employees reach retirement age as defined by the Social Security Act and are otherwise eligible for an annuity under the the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

Date: 2011-02-02
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Espionage Statutes Modernization Act of 2011 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to five years on a covered individual who intentionally discloses, delivers, communicates, or transmits classified information, without authorization, knowing or having reason to know that such action is a violation of the terms of the classified information nondisclosure agreement entered into by such individual.  Defines "covered individual" as an officer, employee, contractor, or consultant of a federal agency who agrees to be legally bound by the terms of a classified information nondisclosure agreement.  Exempts from such prohibition disclosures made in accordance with a federal whistleblower protection statute or regulation.Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to a person convicted of an offense under this Act.

Date: 2011-02-15
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Makes an individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt ineligible to be appointed, or to continue serving, as a federal employee.

Date: 2011-02-17
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Prohibits Members of Congress and the President from receiving basic pay for any period in which: (1) there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department that results from failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution, or (2) the federal government is unable to make payments or meet obligations because the public debt limit has been reached. Bars such forfeited pay from being paid retroactively.

Date: 2011-02-17
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Strengthening Community Safety Act of 2011 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make a grant to an eligible first responder agency for the additional costs incurred as a direct result of one or more of its employees who are reservists being placed on active duty. Defines "eligible first responder agency" as one for which the cost of personnel has increased by not less than 5% as a direct result of such employees being placed on active duty and which is not a for-profit organization. Prohibits the Administrator from making a grant for costs relating to an employee being placed on active duty if federal funds are used for that employee's pay or benefits. Limits the total amount of grants made to an eligible first responder agency in any fiscal year to $100,000. Terminates the Administrator's authority to make grants three years after this Act's enactment. Authorizes the use of grant funds for: (1) pay or benefits for an individual hired to replace such an employee that are in addition to any pay and benefits that would have been provided to the deployed employee, (2) overtime expenses for an individual who performs tasks that would have been performed by such an employee, and (3) the costs associated with filling a vacancy created by an employee being placed on active duty. Allows a recipient to use grant funds to cover expenses incurred beginning 90 days before deployment until the date the employee returns to fully paid employment status. Amends the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to reduce funding for FY2011 for grants to private operators providing transportation by an over-the-road bus for security improvements.

Date: 2011-03-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Emergency management
Prohibits collective bargaining with respect to matters and questions concerning rates of basic pay (under current law, concerning compensation) of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). (Permits collective bargaining concerning compensation, other than basic rates of pay, with respect to such employees.)

Date: 2011-03-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act of 2011 - Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to apply whistleblower rights and protections to legislative branch employees, including those of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Library of Congress. Prescribes for violation of this Act the same remedy as would be appropriate if awarded with respect to a prohibited federal personnel practice in the executive branch.

Date: 2011-03-15
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Public-Private Employee Retirement Parity Act - Excludes as creditable service under the Federal Employees' Retirement System any service performed by an employee or Member of Congress (including military service) performed after December 31, 2012, if that individual did not perform any period of creditable service (including military service) before January 1, 2013. Prohibits an employing agency from making any deduction or withholding from the basic pay of any employee or Member for such excluded service.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Congressional Retirement Age Act of 2011 - Prohibits a Member of Congress serving on or after the enactment of this Act from being eligible for an annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), unless he or she is separated from the service after attaining retirement age under the Social Security Act and completing five years of service. Makes a Member serving on or after the enactment of this Act ineligible for a CSRS or FERS deferred retirement annuity, unless the Member is separated from the service, or transferred to a position in which the individual does not continue subject to CSRS or FERS annuity requirements, after completing five years of service. Denies an early retirement annuity under FERS to any Member serving on or after enactment of this Act who otherwise meets FERS early retirement requirements. Delays entitlement to a FERS annuity until after attaining retirement age under the Social Security Act.

Date: 2011-04-06
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Public Agency Accountability for Sexual Harassment Act - Prohibits sexual harassment (as defined under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) by any individual who is an agent of an organization or government and who administers a program or activity from which an annual benefit of more than $5,000 is derived.  Requires such organization or government to terminate its relationship with an agent who engages in sexual harassment and to disclose the terms of any settlement resulting from an act of sexual harassment by an agent.  Sets forth enforcement provisions and fines for violations of this Act. Declares that states shall not be immune under the Eleventh Amendment from suit in federal court for a violation of this Act and that states waive sovereign immunity by receiving federal assistance.

Date: 2011-04-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
AbilityOne Improvements Act - Requires lease agreements for providing space to a federal agency to require the federal agency, lessor, or property manager to comply with provisions of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (requiring employment in federal buildings for the blind and for people with significant disabilities) if the lease is for 60% or more of useable space on the property or the federal agency that is to be accommodated under the lease is required to contract under such Act for services being transitioned to the leased space.

Date: 2011-05-19
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Prohibits federal agencies, including executive, legislative, and judicial agencies, the United States Postal Service (USPO), the Postal Regulatory Commission, and the government of the District of Columbia, from deducting labor organization fees from the salaries of their employees.

Date: 2011-06-06
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Civilian Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act of 2011 or the CEJA - (Sec. 2) Amends the federal criminal code to grant jurisdiction over and impose penalties on federal contractors and employees who commit certain crimes outside of the United States while employed by or accompanying any agency of the United States other than the Department of Defense (DOD). Sets forth the crimes under federal law that are covered by this Act, including: (1) arson, (2) bribery of public officials and witnesses, (3) use of a firearm in a violent or drug trafficking crime, (4) genocide, (5) murder, (6) kidnapping, (7) money laundering, (8) robbery or burglary, (9) sexual abuse, and (10) import or export of a controlled substance. Provides for an optional venue for offenses under this Act involving overseas federal employees and contractors in the district in which is headquartered the U.S. agency that: (1) employs the offender, or any one of two or more joint offenders; or (2) the offender is accompanying, or that any one of two or more joint offenders is accompanying. Suspends the running of the statute of limitations for any criminal offense involving a federal employee or contractor while the offender is outside the United States or is a fugitive from justice. (Sec. 3) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) assign personnel and resources through task forces to investigate allegations of criminal offenses by federal contractors and employees, and (2) report annually on the number of prosecutions and actions taken. Grants the Attorney General principal authority for the enforcement of this Act. (Sec. 4) Makes this Act effective immediately upon the enactment date but gives the Attorney General and the head of any other federal agency to which this Act applies 90 days after that date to ensure compliance with its provisions. (Sec. 5) Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit or affect: (1) the application of extraterritorial jurisdiction related to any other federal law, or (2) any authority or responsibility of a Chief of Mission as provided in the Foreign Service Act of 1980. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) apply to authorized intelligence activities that are carried out by an employee of, or by another person on behalf of, any element of the intelligence community, and authorized in a manner consistent with applicable U.S. law; or (2) provide immunity or an affirmative defense to an individual employed by or working on behalf of an element of the intelligence community for actions that are not an authorized intelligence activity. (Sec. 6) Requires any amounts appropriated to carry out this Act to be from amounts which would otherwise have been available or appropriated to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Date: 2011-06-06
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Transportation Security Administration Efficiency and Flexibility Act of 2011 - Excludes officers and employees of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from the right of federal employees to bargain collectively. Subjects also to such exclusion the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel management system as it applies to TSA employees. Amends the Aviation and Transportation Security Act to provide that, notwithstanding the authority of the TSA Administrator to fix the terms and conditions of employment of TSA screeners, nothing shall prohibit such an employee from joining a labor organization. Authorizes screeners to: (1) appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board adverse actions brought against them which are finalized after enactment of the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, and (2) seek judicial review of any resulting Board orders or decisions. Requires the FAA Administrator to provide to TSA screeners with a collaborative, integrated employee engagement mechanism to address workplace issues. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2003 to apply certain whistleblower protections to DHS employees.

Date: 2011-07-13
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the special rule for the exclusion from gross income of amounts received by an employee from a governmental accident or health plan to include amounts paid from plans established by or on behalf of a state or political subdivision.

Date: 2011-07-13
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify the exemption from the 10% penalty for premature distributions from governmental employee benefit plans to qualified public safety employees to eliminate the restriction that such plans be defined benefit plans; (2) expand the definition of "qualified public safety employee" to include federal employees; and (3) exempt from tax penalties certain periodic payments made to qualified public safety employees before the enactment of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (i.e., August 17, 2006).

Date: 2011-07-27
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Taxation
No Budget, No Pay Act - Prohibits the payment of any pay to any Member of Congress (excluding the Vice President) 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, nor until both Houses of Congress approve such a budget resolution. Prohibits any retroactive pay for such a period.

Date: 2011-07-28
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011 - Requires the head of an executive agency to: (1) pay the cost of presenting a U.S. flag for an individual who was an agency employee and died of injuries incurred while serving as a federal employee, (2) furnish such flag upon the request of the employee's next of kin or any other individual as determined by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and (3) provide notice to agency employees of the flag benefit provided by this Act.  Allows an exemption from the requirements of this Act if an agency head determines that fulfilling such requirements would endanger U.S. national security or require the disclosure of classified information, or that the employee is not entitled to death benefits due to willful misconduct.

Date: 2011-07-28
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Workforce Reduction and Reform Act of 2011 - Amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, to extend the freeze on statutory pay adjustments for federal civilian employees and increases in the rates of basic pay for senior executives or senior-level employees through December 31, 2014. Prohibits agencies from paying bonuses (including any recruitment or retention bonus) or cash awards (including performance-based cash awards) to employees during FY2012-FY2014. Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1)  take appropriate measures to ensure that the total number of federal employees or contract employees, beginning in FY2022, does not exceed 85% of the total number of federal employees on September 30, 2011; (2) continuously monitor all agencies, make a determination on whether the total number of federal employees in any quarter of a fiscal year exceeds the maximum number allowed by this Act, and notify the President and Congress if the number exceeds the maximum; and (3) ensure that there is no increase in the procurement of service contracts due to this Act unless a cost comparison demonstrates that such contracts would be financially advantageous to the federal government. Prohibits a federal agency from filling any vacancy until OMB provides written notice to the President and Congress that the number of federal or contract employees does not exceed the limitation imposed by this Act. Allows the President to waive the workforce limitations imposed by this Act if the President determines that the existence of a state or war or other national security concern or the existence of an extraordinary emergency threatening life, health, public safety, property, or the environment so requires. Imposes limitations on the amount allowed for the reimbursement of travel costs incurred by federal employees (except employees of the Department of Defense [DOD]) in FY2012-FY2014 unless such expenses are incurred by threatened law enforcement personnel or for reasons relating to national security or public safety.

Date: 2011-08-02
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Retirement Equity for Pentagon Police Heroes Act of 2011 - Makes provisions of the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) relating to retirement contributions, annuity computations, and mandatory separation applicable to Pentagon Force Protection Agency officers.

Date: 2011-09-12
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Reducing the Size of the Federal Government Through Attrition Act of 2011 - Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to take appropriate measures to ensure that: (1) the total number of federal employees, beginning in FY2015, does not exceed 90% of the total number of such employees as of September 30, 2011; (2) agencies do not appoint, until the end of FY 2014, more than one employee for every three employees retiring or otherwise separating from government service; and (3) there is no increase in the procurement of service contracts due to this Act unless a cost comparison demonstrates that such contracts would be financially advantageous to the federal government. Requires OMB to continuously monitor all agencies and make a determination whether the total number of federal employees exceeds the limitation imposed by this Act. Prohibits a federal agency from filling any vacancy unless OMB provides written notice to the President and Congress that the number of federal employees does not exceed the limitation established by this Act. Allows the President to waive the workforce limitations imposed by this Act if the President determines that the existence of a state of war or other national security concern or the existence of an extraordinary emergency threatening life, health, public safety, property, or the environment so requires. Allows the President additional discretion to waive such workforce limitations if the President determines that the efficiency of a federal agency or the performance of its critical mission so requires.

Date: 2011-09-22
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Appeal Time Clarification Act of 2011 -Amends federal judicial code requirements concerning the time limits for the filing of appeals to any judgment, order, or decree in a civil action, suit, or proceeding in which the United States or a U.S. officer or agency is a party. Revises the requirement that an appeal in any such action, suit, or proceeding be filed within 60 days after entry of judgment, order, or decree. Extends application of the 60-day filing deadline to any civil action, suit, or proceeding in which one of the parties is: (1) a U.S. employee sued in an official capacity; or (2) a current or former U.S. officer or employee sued in an individual capacity for an act or omission occurring in connection with duties performed on behalf of the United States, including all instances in which the United States represents that officer or employee when the judgment, order, or decree is entered or files the appeal for that person. Sets forth the finding of Congress that the application of the 60-day deadline: (1) is not limited to civil actions in which representation of the United States is provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ); and (2) includes all civil actions in which the representation of the United States is provided by a federal legal officer acting in an official capacity, including civil actions in which a Member, officer, or employee of the Senate or the House of Representatives is represented by the Office of Senate Legal Counsel or the House's Office of General Counsel.

Date: 2011-10-03
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Law
United States Postal Service Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act of 2011 - Prescribes the "average pay" to be used in determining annuities for civilian employment with the United States Postal Service (USPS) for purposes of provisions relating to future benefits attributable to such employment in order to calculate the amount of any USPS surplus or supplemental liability under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM): (1) within six months after enactment of this Act, to determine (or, if applicable, redetermine) the amount of such surplus or liability as of the close of the most recently ending fiscal year using the methodology required under this Act; and (2) if the result is a surplus, to transfer the surplus amount to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund within 15 days after the determination of a surplus. Provides for an alternate determination of a USPS surplus or supplemental liability for FY2016-FY2020. Requires transfer of certain surplus postal retirement contributions in FY2011 to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund or the Employees' Compensation Fund under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. Prohibits USPS from closing any post office which is located more than 10 miles from any other post office. Expresses the intent of Congress that this Act shall apply to allocations of past, present, and future benefit liabilities between the USPS and the Treasury.

Date: 2011-10-04
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Save Our Postal Worker Jobs Act of 2011 - Prescribes the "average pay" to be used in determining annuities for civilian employment with the United States Postal Service (USPS) for purposes of provisions relating to future benefits attributable to such employment in order to calculate the amount of any USPS surplus or supplemental liability under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM): (1) within six months after enactment of this Act, to determine (or, if applicable, redetermine) the amount of such surplus or liability as of the close of the most recently ending fiscal year using the methodology required under this Act; and (2) if the result is a surplus, to transfer the surplus amount to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund within 15 days after the determination of a surplus. Provides for an alternate determination of a USPS surplus or supplemental liability for FY2016-FY2020. Requires transfer of certain surplus postal retirement contributions in FY2011 to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund or the Employees' Compensation Fund under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. Expresses the intent of Congress that this Act shall apply to allocations of past, present, and future benefit liabilities between the USPS and the Treasury.

Date: 2011-10-12
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Commodity Exchange Act to direct both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to prohibit purchase or sale of either securities, security-based swaps, or commodities for future delivery or swap by a person in possession of material nonpublic information regarding pending or prospective legislative action if the information was obtained: (1) knowingly from a Member or employee of Congress, (2) by reason of being a Member or employee of Congress, or (3) from other federal employees and derived from their federal employment. Directs both the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives to hold hearings on the implementation by the CFTC and the SEC of such financial transaction prohibitions. Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require formal disclosure of certain securities and commodities futures transactions to either the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to subject to its registration, reporting, and disclosure requirements, as well as requirements for identification of clients and covered legislative and executive officials, all political intelligence activities, contacts, firms, and consultants. Requires the Comptroller General to include political intelligence activities, contacts, firms, and consultants in its annual compliance audits and reports.

Date: 2011-11-15
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Stop the Outrageous Pay at Fannie and Freddie Act or STOP Act - Requires the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to: (1) suspend the compensation packages approved for 2011 for the executive officers of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (government sponsored enterprises or GSEs); and (2) establish a compensation system for the executive officers and all other employees of each GSE in accordance with the compensation and benefit schedules established and adjusted pursuant to the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA). Sets the maximum rate of compensation and benefits that an executive officer or employee of a GSE may receive at the rate of compensation and benefits of the highest compensated executive or employee of an agency enumerated in FIRREA (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation [FDIC], the Comptroller of the Currency, the National Credit Union Administration [NCUA] Board, the FHFA, the Office of Financial Research, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [CFPB], the Farm Credit Administration, or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission [CFTC]). Requires each executive officer performing services for a GSE on the date of enactment of this Act whose compensation package is suspended to return to the Secretary of the Treasury any compensation earned in 2011 or any subsequent calendar year, but not yet disbursed as of the enactment of this Act, that exceeded the rate of compensation and benefits of the highest compensated executive or employee of an agency enumerated in FIRREA. Requires the Secretary to transfer returned amounts to a specified account in the Treasury to reduce the public debt. States that any executive officer or employee whose compensation is affected by this Act shall not be considered a federal employee. Requires the Director to report annually to specified congressional committees, and to make publicly available, the rate of compensation and benefits of all GES executives and employees, without disclosing their names or other personal information.

Date: 2012-02-01
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (P.L. 111-242) to extend through December 31, 2013, the freeze on any cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the pay of certain federal civilian employees (thus extends such freeze from two to three calendar years). Extends through such date the prohibition against receipt by a senior executive or senior-level employee of any increase in the rate of basic pay absent a change of position that results in a substantial increase in responsibility or a promotion. Applies the pay limit freeze to Members of Congress. Declares that no statutory COLA for a legislative branch employee which would otherwise take effect during the period beginning on enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2013, shall be made.

Date: 2012-02-07
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Cost Savings Enhancements Act of 2012 - Expands the 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 funds or unnecessary budget authority. Directs that any savings resulting from the identification of such funds or budget authority be deposited in the Treasury and used to reduce a budget deficit or the federal debt. 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: 2012-02-09
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics