Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

POWER Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025

Promoting Opportunities to Widen Electrical Resilience Act of 2025 or the POWER Act of 2025 This bill authorizes electric utilities receiving certain emergency assistance for the restoration of power to also carry out cost-effective hazard mitigation activities in combination with the power restoration activities.   Additionally, the bill specifies that electric utilities receiving such assistance for a facility may, if otherwise eligible, also receive hazard mitigation assistance for the same facility under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance program. 

Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025

Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to streamline disaster information collection, convene a working group on preliminary damage assessments, and provide a report to Congress. FEMA must (1) conduct a study and develop a plan under which the collection of information from disaster assistance applicants and grantees will be made less burdensome, duplicative, and time consuming for applicants and grantees; and (2) develop a plan for the regular collection and reporting of information on federal disaster assistance awarded. Additionally, not later than two years after enactment of the bill, FEMA must convene a working group on a regular basis to (1) identify potential areas of duplication or fragmentation in preliminary damage assessments after disaster declarations; (2) determine the applicability of having one federal agency make the assessments for all agencies; and (3) identify potential emerging technologies, such as unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones), to expedite the administration of preliminary damage assessments. FEMA must submit a comprehensive report on the plans for streamlining and consolidating information collection and the findings and recommendations of the working group to Congress with a briefing. The report must be made available to the public and posted on FEMA's website.

Midnight Rules Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025

Midnight Rules Relief Act This bill allows Congress to disapprove multiple regulations under one joint resolution of disapproval if the regulations were submitted for review during a portion of the final year of a President's term. Under current law, the Congressional Review Act generally provides for a period of additional review during the succeeding Congress for regulations that were submitted during the last 60 legislative days of the prior Congress. However, each joint resolution may disapprove of only one regulation.

Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025

Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act This bill establishes a centralized location to publish information on disaster assistance provided by federal agencies. The Small Business Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and any agencies providing disaster assistance must make available to the public on a quarterly basis information regarding (1) the total amount of assistance provided by the agency; (2) the amount provided that was expended or obligated; and (3) all projects or activities for which assistance was expended, obligated, or used.

Federal Employee Return to Work Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025

Federal Employee Return to Work Act This bill prohibits providing certain annual or locality-based pay increases to teleworking federal employees. Currently, federal law mandates annual adjustments to General Schedule (GS) pay rates according to (1) a formula based on the annual percentage change in the Employment Cost Index (a measure of labor costs in the private sector); and (2) the difference between public and private sector pay rates in an employee's locality, if that difference exceeds 5%. For example, in 2025, the default annual rate of pay for a GS-7 (step 1) employee is $49,960; the adjusted annual rate of pay for a GS-7 (step 1) employee in the locality pay area that includes Washington, DC, is $57,164.  The bill makes executive agency employees who telework at least one day each week (or, in the case of an alternative work schedule, 20% or more each week) ineligible for these payments. The bill is effective on the first day of the fiscal year beginning after the bill's enactment. 

A bill to exclude locality adjustments from average pay for purposes of computing the amount of retirement annuities of new employees.

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025

This bill excludes locality-based comparability payments from the calculation of retirement and disability annuities for new employees in the Federal Employees’ Retirement System. (General schedule and certain other federal employees receive locality-based comparability payments when their official worksite is located in a geographic area with a pay disparity between federal and non-federal workers of more than 5%.)

DRAIN THE SWAMP Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025

Decentralizing and Reorganizing Agency Infrastructure Nation-wide To Harness Efficient Services, Workforce Administration, and Management Practices Act or the DRAIN THE SWAMP Act This bill relocates 30% of employees of executive agencies who are based in the Washington, DC area and reduces the office headquarters of agencies by 30%. It also ends full-time telework for relocated employees and for those who remain based in the DC area. Under the bill, each agency must relocate at least 30% of full-time employees based at the agency’s headquarters, including full-time telework employees who receive DC-area locality pay (unless telework is an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act). The bill does not apply to certain essential employees in the Executive Office of the President, the Department of Defense, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Homeland Security. In determining the new duty stations, each agency must promote geographic diversity and ensure adequate staffing throughout the regions of the agency. Compensation for relocated employees must be according to the locality pay scale for their new duty station. Agencies must provide their reduction plans to Congress within 180 days and complete the relocations within one year after the bill's enactment. Further, the Office of Management and Budget must identify at least 30% of agency headquarters' office space (i.e., real property) to sell or to cease leasing. Agency heads must complete the space reduction within two years after the bill's enactment. 

SWAMP Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025

Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act or the SWAMP Act This bill prohibits new construction, major renovation, leasing, or renewing a lease of certain executive agency headquarters in the District of Columbia metropolitan area and establishes a competitive bidding process for the relocation of such headquarters. The General Services Administration (GSA) must (1) establish a process to allow an executive agency to request the GSA to issue a solicitation for the relocation of its headquarters or allow the GSA to issue such a solicitation without a request, if necessary; (2) allow any state or political subdivision of a state to respond to a solicitation with a proposal for the relocation of the agency's headquarters; and (3) in consultation with the executive agency, select a state or political subdivision of a state for the relocation of the agency's headquarters using a competitive bidding procedure based on certain considerations.

REMOTE Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025

Requiring Effective Management and Oversight of Teleworking Employees Act or the REMOTE Act This bill directs executive agencies to track employees' computer network activity, compare the activity of teleworking and on-site employees, and report on any deficiencies in the performance of teleworking employees. First, the bill requires each agency to establish policies to track for every employee (1) the average number of daily logins, (2) the average daily duration of the network connection, and (3) the network traffic generated while the employee works. This information must be collected from employees working primarily on-site within 180 days after the bill's enactment and from teleworking employees within one year after the bill's enactment. The bill also directs each agency to publish this data in the agency’s fiscal year budget justification materials, including a comparison of the average login rates of on-site and teleworking employees. Next, the bill directs any manager who revokes a teleworking employee's authorization to telework (due to a reason specific to that employee) to document for the employee and the agency's Human Capital Office (1) the total number of days that the employee teleworked in the six work periods immediately preceding the revocation, (2) a narrative summary of the circumstances giving rise to the revocation, and (3) any steps the manager took to discipline the employee before revoking the employee's telework authorization.  Finally, agencies must report to the Chief Human Capital Officers Council about any adverse effects of telework policies on the performance of the executive agency.

ERASER Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2025

Expediting Reform And Stopping Excess Regulations Act or the ERASER Act This bill generally requires federal agencies to repeal three rules before issuing a new rule. In the case of a new nonmajor rule, an agency must repeal at least three rules that, to the extent practicable, are related to the new rule. In the case of a new major rule, (1) an agency must repeal at least three rules that are related to the new major rule, and (2) the cost of the new major rule must be less than or equal to the cost of the repealed rules. A  major rule is a rule that has resulted in or is likely to result in (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, or innovation. These requirements apply to rules issued through the notice and comment process and do not apply to interpretative rules, general statements of policy, or rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice. Further, the requirements do not apply to a rule or major rule that relates to the management, organization, or personnel of an agency or procurement by the agency. Any rule repealed under this bill must be published in the Federal Register. Finally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the number and estimated cost of rules and major rules currently in effect.    

SOPRA

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2025

Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2025 or SOPRA This bill modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo (i.e., without giving deference to the agency's interpretation) all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of (1) constitutional and statutory provisions, (2) rules made by agencies, (3) interpretative rules, (4) general statements of policy, and (5) all other agency guidance documents. No law may exempt a civil action from the standard of review required by this bill except by specific reference to such provision.

A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 154 First Avenue East in Jerome, Idaho, as the "Representative Maxine Bell Post Office".

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025

This bill designates the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 154 First Avenue East in Jerome, Idaho, as the Representative Maxine Bell Post Office.

Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2024 [ sic ] This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report every month on non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who attempt to unlawfully enter the United States and who potentially pose a national security risk. DHS must report on (1) the number of individuals, (2) the nationalities or countries of last residence of these individuals, and (3) the location of the encounters.

To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 80 Prospect Street in Avon, New York, as the Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz Memorial Post Office Building.

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 80 Prospect Street in Avon, New York, as the "Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz Memorial Post Office Building".

Transparency in Bureaucratic Communications Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

Transparency in Bureaucratic Communications Act This bill requires federal offices of inspectors general to include in their existing semiannual reports to Congress information about any communications between their department or agency and certain online platforms and services.  Specifically, such reports must include details on the contents and circumstances of any communication or attempted communication with an internet platform, information content provider, or access software provider. Covered communications include those addressing specific online content, content moderation practices, and any other topic related to a platform's or service's data inputs, algorithms, modeling and simulation processes, analysis tools, or any related tool. 

A bill to direct the United States Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code for Fairlawn, Virginia, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

This bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code applicable to Fairlawn, Virginia.

Washington, D.C. Admission Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

Washington, D.C. Admission Act This bill provides for the establishment of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and its admission into the United States. The state is composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding a specified area that encompasses the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court building, federal monuments, and federal office buildings adjacent to the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. The excluded territory shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of the government of the United States, as provided for in Article I of the Constitution. The state may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits. The bill provides for the DC Mayor to issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the state. The bill eliminates the office of Delegate to the House of Representatives. The bill applies current DC laws to the state. DC judicial proceedings and contractual obligations shall continue under the state’s authority. The bill also provides for specified federal obligations to transfer to the state upon its certification that it has funds and laws in place to assume the obligations. These include maintaining a retirement fund for judges and operating public defender services.  The bill establishes a commission that is generally comprised of members who are appointed by DC and federal government officials to advise on an orderly transition to statehood.

Write the Laws Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

Write the Laws Act This bill prohibits an act of Congress from containing any delegation of legislative powers, whether to any component within the legislative branch, the President or any other member of the executive branch, the judicial branch, any agency or quasi-public agency, any state or state instrumentality, or any other organization or individual. The Government Accountability Office must identify to Congress all statutes enacted before the date that is 90 days after this bill's enactment that contain any delegation of legislative power. Any act of Congress, presidential directive, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation that is enacted 90 days or more after this bill's enactment and is noncompliant with this bill shall have no force or effect.

A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the "Chief Zeb Smith Post Office".

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the Chief Zeb Smith Post Office.

Balanced Budget Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

Balanced Budget Accountability Act This bill withholds Members of Congress's salaries in each chamber if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) does not certify that the chamber has adopted a balanced budget. The bill also requires that revenue increases be agreed upon by an affirmative three-fifths vote in each chamber. Balanced budget means a concurrent budget resolution providing that for FY2035 and each succeeding fiscal year to which the resolution applies total outlays do not exceed total receipts and are not more than 18% of the projected gross domestic product for such fiscal year.  For the 119th Congress, if OMB does not certify that a chamber has adopted a balanced budget for the next fiscal year before April 16, salaries of Members of that chamber must be held in escrow until passage of a balanced budget or, if none is passed, the conclusion of the 119th Congress. For subsequent Congresses, if OMB does not certify that a chamber has adopted a balanced budget for the next fiscal year before April 16, each Member of that chamber shall be paid at the rate of $1 annually for the remainder of the calendar year.

Advanced Border Coordination Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025

Advanced Border Coordination Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish at least two Joint Operations Centers along the U.S.-Mexico border. The centers shall provide centralized operations hubs for (1) coordinating operations between federal, state, local, and tribal agencies as needed; and (2) coordinating and supporting border operations, including detecting criminal activity, such as activity related to transnational criminal organizations and illegal border crossings.

TRUE Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

Taxpayer Resources Used in Emergencies Accountability Act or the TRUE Accountability Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance to certain executive branch agencies for the development of internal control plans that are available for immediate use in future emergencies or crises. ( Internal control refers to a process that provides reasonable assurance of achieving effective and efficient operations, reliable financial reporting, and legal compliance.) This guidance must be in alignment with the Government Accountability Office reports entitled A Framework for Managing Improper Payments in Emergency Assistance Programs and A Framework for Managing Fraud Risks in Federal Programs .  Periodically, the agencies subject to this guidance must submit their internal control plan to OMB and OMB must submit such agency plans to Congress.

STEP Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

Safeguarding the Transparency and Efficiency of Payments Act or the STEP Act This bill requires federal agencies to take certain actions to prevent improper payments (i.e., payments that should not have been made or were made in an incorrect amount).   The bill requires agencies to annually identify as susceptible to significant improper payments any new program or activity that is in its first four years of operation and has, or is expected to have, outlays exceeding $100 million in any of its first three fiscal years of operation, with exceptions for activities that are not susceptible to significant improper payments. (Agencies must report estimates of improper payments for activities identified as susceptible.)   The bill allows agencies, when estimating improper payments, to use an estimation methodology approved by the agency's chief financial officer (CFO). (Currently, only methodologies approved by the Office of Management and Budget may be used.) An agency’s annual financial statement must include certain reports related to the agency’s improper payments. Such reports must also include a certification by the agency CFO that the identification of programs and activities susceptible to significant improper payments is reliable as well as a description of the CFO's actions to monitor required corrective action plans.   Each agency must report to Congress for each of the 10 fiscal years after enactment on certain matters, including progress in managing fraud risks and implementing financial controls.

Early Participation in Regulations Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

Early Participation in Regulations Act of 2025 This bill directs agencies to publish an advance notice of a proposed rulemaking at least 90 days before publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking for a major rule. A major rule is a rule that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) determines is likely to impose (1) an annual economic effect of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, health, safety, the environment, or the ability of U.S. enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. The advance notice must include a description of the problem the rule may address, alternatives under consideration, and the legal authority for proposing the rule; and solicit and provide at least 30 days for submission of written data, views, and argument from interested persons. Any difference between such advance notice and the notice of proposed rulemaking may not be considered arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law for the purposes of review under the Administrative Procedure Act. Advance notice is not required if the proposing agency is not required to publish notice of proposed rulemaking or OIRA finds that advance notice is (1) not in the public interest, (2) duplicative of a similar process, (3) not practicable due to a required deadline, or (4) for a rule that is routine or periodic in nature.

ACCESS Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

Allowing Contractors to Choose Employees for Select Skills Act or the ACCESS Act This bill prohibits federal contract bid solicitations for contractor personnel from including minimum educational requirements unless the contracting officer justifies the requirements. The prohibition applies to educational requirements that may be met through education alone, education or experience, or a combination of education and experience. The bill also requires the Office of Management and Budget to issue implementing guidance to federal agencies, including instructions for contracting officers that encourage using alternatives to education requirements.

Improving Federal Financial Management Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

Improving Federal Financial Management Act   This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to take certain actions to improve financial management systems across the federal government and expands the responsibilities of federal agency Chief Financial Officers (CFOs).   The bill requires OMB to submit a four-year governmentwide financial management plan to Congress within six months of enactment and thereafter with the budget submitted in the first full fiscal year following the start of a presidential term. Such plans must address certain topics, including strategies for (1) improving financial management systems; (2) strengthening the financial management workforce; and (3) reporting performance and cost information. OMB must annually submit related status reports to Congress and the Government Accountability Office.    Each agency CFO is assigned new responsibilities, including preparing the agency plan to implement OMB's governmentwide financial management plan; overseeing and providing leadership in the areas of budget formulation and execution, planning and performance, risk management, internal controls, financial systems, accounting, and other areas designated by OMB; coordinating with designated agency personnel on the strategic planning, performance measurement and reporting, and risk management functions of the agency; managing the formulation and financial execution of the agency budget; linking performance and cost information; and preparing annual reports on progress in implementing the governmentwide financial management plan and transmitting such reports to the agency head, OMB, and Congress. The bill establishes new requirements for audits of agency accounts, such as having auditors evaluate the design of the agency's internal controls over financial reporting.

Guidance Clarity Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

Guidance Clarity Act of 2025 This bill requires federal agencies to state on the first page of guidance documents that such guidance (1) does not have the force and effect of law, and (2) is intended only to provide clarity to the public about existing legal requirements or agency policies.

SMART Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

Setting Manageable Analysis Requirements in Text Act of 2025 or the SMART Act of 2025 This bill requires agencies, when publishing a proposed or final major rule, to include a framework for assessing whether the rule achieves its regulatory objective. An agency must assess a rule in the time frame included in the framework. The assessment must compare the rule's anticipated and actual benefits and costs. Additionally, the assessment must determine whether (1) the rule has been rendered unnecessary because of changes to the subject area affected by the rule or it overlaps with, duplicates, or conflicts with other rules, or state and local government regulations; (2) the rule should be expanded, streamlined, or otherwise modified to accomplish the rule's objective; and (3) other alternatives or modifications to the rule could better achieve the rule's objective.  The bill defines a major rule as a rule likely to cause (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, health, safety, the environment, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. 

Telework Reform Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

Telework Reform Act of 2025 This bill establishes additional terms and conditions for executive agency telework policies. It also authorizes agencies to noncompetitively hire qualified covered veterans, military spouses, and spouses of law enforcement officers for remote telework (i.e., full-time telework from an approved alternative worksite). The bill provides, among other requirements, that agencies limit telework agreements to a period of one year, review telework agreements at least annually, ensure that telework policies address the extent to which telework may be restricted based on performance or disciplinary action, and  establish systems to confirm that employees are working solely at approved worksites. The bill also authorizes agencies to noncompetitively appoint veterans, military spouses, and spouses of law enforcement officers with appropriate qualifications to remote telework positions. The authority for hiring spouses of law enforcement officers is a seven-year pilot program. Further, the bill requires the (1) Office of Management and Budget to issue guidelines to protect the security of information and systems used while teleworking, and (2) the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study comparing the processing time for constituent services provided by agencies as of the study's date with the average processing times in 2019.

No Budget, No Pay Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025

No Budget, No Pay Act This bill prohibits Members of Congress from being paid in a fiscal year until both chambers approve the budget resolution and pass all regular appropriations bills for that fiscal year. Retroactive pay is prohibited for such a period. This bill takes effect on September 29, 2027.

A bill to repeal the provision of law that provides automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025

This bill eliminates automatic increases to pay for Members of Congress, beginning with the 120th Congress. Current law automatically increases Member pay according to a formula. The annual increase is (1) based on the percentage change in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI); and (2) capped at the percentage increase to General Schedule (GS) employees' base pay. The annual adjustment automatically goes into effect unless Congress modifies the increase in legislation.

Bonuses for Cost-Cutters and Fraud Preventers Act of 2026

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of  2025 This bill expands the awards program for cost-saving identifications by federal employees of fraud, waste, or mismanagement to include identifications of certain operational expenses that are wasteful (i.e., that are identified as wasteful by an employee and that an agency determines are not required for the purposes for which the amounts were made available). An agency must propose any identified wasteful expenses for rescission. The bill also doubles the maximum cash award that may be made under the program.

ROOMIE Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

Reinforce Occupancy Obligations for Maximized Interagency Efficiency Act or the ROOMIE Act This bill establishes occupancy requirements for federal office buildings and directs agencies to sell or terminate leases on unused office space.  The bill directs agencies to amend their policies within 120 days of the bill's enactment to require not less than 80% of the agency's employees to work on site. The policies must also ensure that at least 60% of the usable square feet of the agency's office space is occupied by agency employees.  Agencies that do not employ enough individuals to occupy 60% of the agency's office space must provide an occupancy plan to the General Services Administration and Congress detailing how it will meet that goal, particularly by working with other federal agencies. The plan must be submitted within one year of the bill's enactment. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress regarding agencies' compliance with these requirements. Agencies that do not comply with these requirements must sell their properties, terminate leases, or not renew leases, as applicable.

Subterranean Border Defense Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Subterranean Border Defense Act This bill requires recurring annual reporting by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the implementation of a strategic plan to counter illicit cross-border tunnel operations. Currently, CBP is only required to report once no later than one year after the plan's development. 

FIND Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act or the FIND Act This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into contracts with an entity that discriminates against firearm trade associations or businesses that deal in firearms, ammunition, or related products. Specifically, the bill requires a federal agency to include in each contract for the procurement of goods or services awarded by the agency a clause requiring the prime contractor to certify that it (1) has no policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association; and (2) will not adopt a policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association during the term of the contract. The bill establishes (1) a similar requirement with respect to subcontracts, and (2) penalties for violations. The bill makes such prohibition inapplicable to a contract for the procurement of goods or services that is a sole-source contract.

Fire Suppression and Response Funding Assurance Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Saving the Civil Service Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Saving the Civil Service Act This bill generally prohibits changes to the classification of positions in the competitive service and excepted service unless certain conditions are met. (Competitive service positions are subject to competitive examination while excepted service positions are appointed under one of five schedules. Competitive service positions have notice and appeal requirements for adverse actions that are not applicable to most excepted positions, including those of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character under Schedule C.) On October 21, 2020, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that placed executive agency positions that are of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character, and that are not normally subject to change as a result of a presidential transition, under a new Schedule F in the excepted service. The order was subsequently revoked by President Joe Biden. The bill prohibits executive agency positions in the competitive service from being placed in the excepted service, unless such positions are placed in a schedule in the excepted service as in effect on September 30, 2020. The bill also prohibits positions in the excepted service from being placed in any schedule other than the aforementioned schedules. Additionally, agencies may not (1) transfer occupied positions from the competitive or excepted service into Schedule C without the consent of the Office of Personnel Management, or (2) transfer employees in the excepted service to another schedule or transfer employees in the competitive service to the excepted service without employee consent. 

Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025 This bill establishes specialized pay for federal wildland firefighters. Specifically, the bill provides for a specialized pay schedule for wildland firefighters in the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior. The specialized pay schedule is based on the General Schedule, increased by a specified percentage depending on the position grade (the higher the grade, the lower the percentage adjustment). The bill also provides for specialized premium pay for wildland firefighters who respond to certain prolonged fire incidents (i.e., those that are not contained within 36 hours). It also provides for paid rest and recuperation leave in conjunction with such responses. 

FAIR Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act or the FAIR Act This bill modifies pay rates for federal employees in 2026. Specifically, the bill increases rates under the statutory pay systems and for prevailing rate employees by 3.3% and increases locality pay by 1%.

Disaster Housing Reform for American Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Disaster Housing Reform for American Families Act This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a five-year pilot program under the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) through which FEMA contracts to provide factory-built housing to serve disaster survivors until the disaster declaration terminates and then be utilized for affordable housing. It also authorizes FEMA to provide IHP grants for closing costs associated with obtaining certain mortgages.  Specifically, FEMA must enter into a contract with a producer or seller of manufactured or modular homes to construct such housing as a type of temporary housing assistance under IHP. The bill requires the housing to meet specified criteria, including that it must be available within 90 days (unless extended to 120 days) after the disaster declaration, have no more than four units, and provide a minimum level of protection from natural hazards. The housing must conform to various specified standards, but the bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development to waive any such requirement for construction under the pilot program. Also, the bill requires FEMA to establish guidelines for transferring the housing to an affordable housing program after the termination of the relevant disaster declaration. However, the bill also authorizes it to become permanent housing after the declaration terminates. In addition, the bill authorizes FEMA to provide IHP grants to disaster-impacted individuals or households purchasing residential property for closing costs associated with obtaining a mortgage from a federal program providing affordable financing options.