Bills and Public Laws

For additional information about recent legislative activity, visit http://thomas.loc.gov/.

Bills — 110th Congress

Management and Human Capital Reform

H.R. 5439 – Civil Service Reform Commission Act of 2008
Representative Mac Thornberry (R-TX) introduced legislation to establish a Civil Service Reform Commission. The Commission would be charged with studying, among other things, the federal compensation system, recruitment and retention, the federal hiring process and the role and oversight of federal contractors. The Commission would report its findings to the President and Congress and would propose legislation to implement recommended improvements.

Legislative text of H.R. 5439 »

S. 2148 — Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act
H.R. 3774 — Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act
Senator Daniel Akaka introduced legislation to provide for greater diversity within, and to improve policy direction and oversight of, the Senior Executive Service. Among other things, the bill would establish a Senior Executive Service Resource Office within the Office of Personnel Management. Representative Danny Davis introduced a companion bill in the House.

Legislative text of S. 2148 »
Legislative text of H.R. 3774 »

S. 1046 — Senior Professional Performance Act of 2007
Senator George Voinovich introduced legislation that aims to modify pay provisions relating to certain senior-level positions in the federal government.

Partnership’s statement of support »
Legislative text of S. 1046 »

S. 1045 — Federal Workforce Performance Appraisal and Management Improvement Act of 2007
Senator George Voinovich introduced legislation that strengthens performance management in the federal government and makes the annual general pay increase for federal employees contingent on performance.

Legislative text of S. 1045 »

S. 967 — Federal Supervisor Training Act of 2007
Senator Daniel Akaka introduced legislation to provide for the establishment and authorization of funding for certain training programs for federal supervisors. The bill also calls for the creation of a set of management competency standards.

Partnership’s statement of support »
Legislative text of S. 967 »

S. 547 — Effective Homeland Security Management Act of 2007
Senator Voinovich introduced legislation which would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security for Management, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve as the Chief Management Officer and principal advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters related to management of the Department.

Legislative text of S. 547 »

S. 274 — Federal Employee Protection of Disclosures Act
Senator Akaka introduced S. 274 which would clarify the disclosure of information protected from prohibited personnel practices, require a statement in nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements that such policies, forms, and agreements conform with certain disclosure protections, and provide certain authority for the Special Counsel.

Legislative text of S. 274 »

S. 4 — Improving America's Security Act of 2007
H.R. 1 — Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007
Senator Harry Reid introduced legislation to make the United States more secure by implementing unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, to fight the war on terror more effectively and to improve homeland security. The companion bill, H.R. 4, was introduced in the House by Rep. Bennie Thompson.

Legislative text of S. 4 »
Legislative text of H.R. 1 »

TOP ^

Building a Pipeline of Talent

H.R. 6160 – Roosevelt Scholars Act of 2008
Representatives David Price (D-NC) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) introduced bi-partisan legislation to create a graduate-level scholarship program to train the next generation of leaders to fill mission-critical positions in the federal government. The Roosevelt Scholars program would provide full tuition, support for room and board, and a stipend for graduate study in occupations critical to our government’s success. In exchange for this support, Roosevelt Scholars would complete an internship with a federal agency and, upon graduation, would be expected to complete a minimum of three years of federal service. A Roosevelt Scholars Foundation would be established to administer all aspects of the Roosevelt Scholars program.

Partnership’s statement of support »
Legislative text of H.R. 6160 »

S. 2969 – Veterans’ Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act of 2008
Senator Akaka, Chairman of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced legislation to address staffing issues at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. This bill would amend title 38 of the United States Code to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals in the face of a massive retirement wave. Among other things, the bill would increase educational benefits for VA employees, which would act as a recruitment and retention tool.

Legislative text of S. 2969 »

S. 1882 — Public Health Preparedness Workforce Development Act of 2007
Senators Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation that would help strengthen the federal public health workforce by helping the government recruit and retain new talent.  The bill creates scholarship and loan repayment programs and provides training and development opportunities for mid-career public health professionals.

Partnership’s statement of support »
Legislative text of S. 1882 »

S. 960 — Public Service Academy Act of 2007
H.R. 1671 — Public Service Academy Act of 2007
Senator Hillary Clinton recently introduced the Public Service Academy Act of 2007 in the Senate and Representative James Moran introduced a companion bill in the House. The bills call for the creation of a Public Service Academy modeled after the existing military service academies. The Public Service Academy would provide an undergraduate education in return for a five year commitment to civilian service to the country, therefore establishing a direct pipeline of young talent into the federal workforce.

Legislative text of S. 960 »
Legislative text of H.R. 1671 »

S. 451 — National Foreign Language Coordination Act of 2007
H.R. 747 — National Foreign Language Coordination Act
Senator Akaka introduced a bill on January 31, 2007, which would establish a National Foreign Language Coordination Council in the Executive Office of the President. Rep. Brian Baird introduced a companion bill in the House on the same date. The bills provide a framework for a more coordinated effort to recruit and retain foreign language talent in the federal government.

Partnership’s statement of support »
Legislative text of S. 451 »
Legislative text of H.R. 747 »

TOP ^

Contract Management, Oversight and Personnel

S. 680 — Accountability in Government Contracting Act of 2007
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Susan Collins authored a bill in February 2007 to ensure proper oversight and accountability in federal contracting. The bill also addresses the need to strengthen the federal acquisition workforce through recruitment and training programs.

Legislative text of S. 680 »

H.R. 1362 — Accountability in Contracting Act
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman introduced the Accountability in Contracting Act in the House in March 2007. Among other things, the bill would limit the length of noncompetitive contracts and require justification for no-bid contracts.

Legislative text of H.R. 1362 »

TOP ^

Federal Employee Benefits

S. 2933 – Incentives for Older Workers Act
Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Herbert Kohl (D-WI) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase the participation of older workers in the federal workforce. The bill would remove the penalty under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) for part-time employment. This action would address and correct a disincentive for employees who would like to phase into retirement by working part-time at the end of their careers. In addition, the bill would establish a National Resource Center on Aging and the Workforce, which would address issues on age and the workforce, as well as collect, organize, and disseminate information on older workers.

Legislative text of S. 2933 »

H.R. 5550 – A bill to increase the maximum age to qualify for coverage as a ‘child’ under the health benefits program for federal employees
Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) introduced legislation with Reps. T. Davis (R-VA), Maloney (D-NY), Cummings (D-MD), Sarbanes (D-MD) and Norton (D-DC) which would allow individuals under the age of 25 to be covered as a “child” under the health benefits program. Previously, the maximum age for coverage as a “child” was 22 years.

Legislative text of H.R. 5550 »

S. 2521 – Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2007
H.R. 4838 – Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2007
Senator Joe Lieberman introduced legislation which would provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees.  Representative Tammy Baldwin introduced a House companion bill.

Legislative text of S. 2521 »
Legislative text of H.R. 4838 »

S. 2003 — A bill to facilitate the part-time reemployment of annuitants
H.R. 3579 — A bill to facilitate the part-time reemployment of annuitants
Senator Susan Collins along with Sens. Voinovich and Warner took the lead in introducing legislation in the Senate which would allow retired federal employees to return to the federal government on a part-time, temporary basis and earn a salary while maintaining their annuity benefits. A companion bill was recently introduced in the House by Representative Tom Davis and Reps. Kenny Marchant and Frank Wolf.

Partnership’s letter to Senator Collins in support of S. 2003 »
Partnership’s statement of support for H.R. 3579 »
Legislative text of S. 2003 »
Legislative text of H.R. 3579 »

H.R. 3158 — Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2006
Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) recently introduced legislation that would create a paid parental leave policy for all federal employees. The bill would give federal employees eight weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

Legislative text of H.R. 3158 »

S. 1047 — Generating Opportunity by Forgiving Educational Debt for Service Act of 2007 (GOFEDS)
H.R. 2363 — Generating Opportunity by Forgiving Educational Debt for Service Act of 2007 (GOFEDS)
Senator George Voinovich introduced legislation that would exempt federal student loans from taxation. As a result of this legislation, federal student loan repayment programs would be more effective as a recruitment and retention tool.  Representative Timothy Bishop introduced a companion bill in the House.

Partnership’s statement of support »
Legislative text of S. 1047 »
Legislative text of H.R. 2363 »

S. 1000 — Telework Enhancement Act of 2007
H.R. 4106 — Telework Improvements Act of 2007
Senator Ted Stevens along with Senator Mary Landrieu introduced legislation which would enhance the Federal Telework Program by requiring the head of each executive agency, the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Majority Leader of the Senate to establish a telework policy which will allow employees to participate in telework to the maximum possible extent. Representative Danny Davis introduced a similar bill in the House called the Telework Improvements Act to expand teleworking in executive agencies.

Legislative text of S. 1000 »
Legislative text of H.R. 4106 »

H.R. 2661 — Education for Public Service Act of 2007
H.R. 2669 — College Cost Reduction Act of 2007
Representative John Sarbanes introduced legislation that would amend the income-contingent loan repayment program so that individuals who work in public service and contribute regularly to their monthly loan payments will have their loans forgiven at the end of 10 years.  Similar language was included in Representative George Miller’s bill, H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007.

Partnership’s statement of support »
Legislative text of H.R. 2661 »
Legislative text of H.R. 2669 »

H. R. 1369 — Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act
Representative Carolyn Maloney introduced the Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, which aims to expand the scope of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. Title IV of the Act extends paid parental leave to federal employees.

Legislative text of H.R. 1369 »

S. 880 — Senate Family Leave Act
Senator Ted Stevens introduced the Senate Family Leave Act which would amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to provide for 8 weeks of paid leave for Senate employees giving birth.

Legislative text of S. 880 »

S. 80 — Executive Branch Family Leave Act
Senator Ted Stevens introduced the Executive Branch Family Leave Act which would provide for 8 weeks of paid leave for federal employees giving birth.

Legislative text of S. 80 »

TOP ^

Bills — 109th and 108th Congress

S. 494 — Federal Employee Protection of Disclosures Act of 2005
On April 13, 2005, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved whistleblower protection legislation introduced by Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Susan Collins (R-ME). The Federal Employee Protection of Disclosures Act (S. 494) aims to strengthen protections for federal whistleblowers while encouraging federal workers to disclose government waste, fraud and abuse.

Partnership’s statement of support »
Legislative text of S. 494 »

H.R. 4797 — Continuity of Operations Demonstration Project Act of 2004
Representative Danny Davis introduced H.R. 4797, the Continuity of Operations Demonstration Project Act, on July 9, 2004. This bill requires the Chief Human Capital Officers Council to establish a demonstration project where workers will be required to work from home or away from their usual duty station as a result of an extended emergency situation. The goals of this legislation include determining what flexibilities and technologies are needed for federal employees to work under such constraints, and enhancing the government's ability to manage personnel and operations activities.

Partnership's statement of support »
Legislative text of H.R. 4797 »

TOP ^

Public Laws

Management and Human Capital Reform

Public Law No. 109-295 — Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 enacted as part of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007
President Bush signed the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act into law on October 4, 2006. Title VI of this Act is the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. The Act made substantial changes to FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, including making the Administrator of FEMA responsible for all phases of emergency management – preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation – effectively integrating all preparedness and response activities within FEMA.

Committee report »
Text of the public law »

Public Law No: 108-458 — Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004
On December 17, 2004, President Bush signed much anticipated legislation to reform the United States intelligence system, the largest reorganization of the nation's intelligence community since the CIA was created in 1947. There are various federal human capital provisions included in this legislation and the Partnership for Public Service has developed a summary of them. To view a copy of this summary, please click on the link below.

Partnership's bill summary »
Partnership's letter of support »
Committee report »
Text of the public law »

Public Law No. 108-411 — Federal Workforce Flexibility Act of 2004
The Federal Workforce Flexibility Act of 2004 was signed into law on October 30, 2004. The Act provides agencies with greater flexibility with regard to allocating recruitment and retention bonuses, annual leave for new senior executives coming to work for the federal government from the private sector, and pay for employees in certain critical and hard-to-fill positions.

Partnership's statement of support »
Committee report »
Text of the public law »

Public Law No. 108-271 — GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004
The GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004 was signed into law on July 7, 2004. The Act provides GAO with new human capital flexibilities and establishes a new compensation system with an emphasis on performance. Among the many reforms, the Act changes the name of the General Accounting Office to the Government Accountability Office.

Committee report »
Text of the public law »

Public Law No. 108-201 — NASA Flexibility Act of 2004
The NASA Flexibility Act of 2004 was signed into law on February 24, 2004. The Act grants NASA workforce authorities the ability to: (1) pay recruitment, redesignation, relocation, and retention bonuses in exchange for service agreements; (2) make term appointments of one to six years and permanent conversions; (3) fix basic rates of pay for critical positions; and (4) extend intergovernmental personnel act assignments to up to four years. The law also provides for the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Science and Technology Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships to individuals in return for contractual agreements under which such individuals agree to serve as full-time NASA employees for two years for each year of such scholarships.

Committee report »
Text of the public law »

Public Law No. 108-136 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004
The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2004 was signed into law on November 24, 2003. This legislation authorizes OPM to conduct an annual survey of federal employees. Title XI of the Act establishes the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) for civilian employees at the Department of Defense. NSPS is an alternative performance-based personnel system. Under the new system, the agency has more flexibility with regard to hiring and compensation.

Committee report »
Text of the public law »

Public Law No. 107-296 — Chief Human Capital Officers Act of 2002 enacted as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002
The Partnership has long supported legislation creating a Chief Human Capital Officer in each of the major government agencies. Modeled on the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer that were created in the 1990s, the Chief Human Capital Officer is charged with the responsibility to elevate the human resources management within the federal workforce to the level it deserves, and focus resources and attention on workplace issues. The CHCO Act was signed into law on November 25, 2002.

Committee report »
Text of the public law »

TOP ^

Federal Employee Benefits

Public Law No. 110-84 – College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007
Title IV of the College Cost Reduction Act provides loan forgiveness for public sector employees who have made regular payments on their loans and have worked in public service for ten years. Recipients of Federal Direct Loans (Federal Direct Stafford, Federal Direct PLUS, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford and Federal Direct Consolidated Loans) are eligible for this loan forgiveness. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 was signed into law on September 27, 2007.

Committee report »
Text of the public law »

Public Law No. 108-496 — Federal Employee Dental and Vision Benefits Enhancement Act of 2004
On December 23, 2004, the President signed into law the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Benefits Enhancement Act. The Act provides for the establishment of programs under which supplemental dental and vision benefits are made available to federal employees, retirees, and their dependents.

Partnership's statement of support »
Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs press release on S. 2657 »
Committee report »
Text of the public law »

Public Law No. 108-123 — Federal Employee Student Loan Assistance Act
On November 11, 2003, the President signed into law the Federal Employee Student Loan Assistance Act. The Act increases the annual and aggregate limits on student loan repayments by federal agencies.

Committee report »
Text of the public law »

TOP ^

© 2007 Partnership for Public Service