To ensure that the percentage increase in rates of basic pay for prevailing wage employees shall be equal to the percentage increase received by other Federal employees in the same pay locality, and for other purposes.
Impact
The proposed legislation will directly affect existing federal employment statutes, particularly those concerning the wages of prevailing rate employees as outlined in sections of title 5 of the United States Code. By establishing a standardized pay adjustment mechanism, HB 7819 is expected to equalize pay increases among federal employees, creating a baseline that aligns the compensation of prevailing wage workers with that of their colleagues. This bill may also alleviate recruitment and retention issues for federal roles, particularly in areas where pay disparities were previously cited as barriers to employment.
Summary
House Bill 7819 seeks to ensure that the percentage increase in the rates of basic pay for prevailing wage employees is equal to the percentage increase received by other federal employees within the same pay locality. This bill is set to take effect beginning in fiscal year 2025 and aims to rectify disparities in compensation among employees performing similar duties across federal agencies. The primary objective of HB 7819 is to promote fairness and equity in pay adjustments, particularly for those in lower wage brackets who are significantly impacted by wage fluctuations.
Contention
While the bill primarily garners support for its intent to promote equitable pay, there are concerns regarding the feasibility and long-term implications of its enactment. Critics argue that the wage adjustments mandated by this legislation could impose financial strain on agency budgets, potentially leading to complications in workforce management. Additionally, there are apprehensions about the Office of Personnel Management's authority to grant exceptions which might undermine the bill's aim of creating consistent pay standards.
A bill for an act increasing the state minimum hourly wage and providing for subsequent increases by the same percentage as the increase in federal social security benefits.
Provides for comparable salary and other benefits for state employees designated managerial or confidential to ensure such employees receive an increase in salary at least equal to the percentage of the general salary increases provided to employees in a bargaining unit that receives the highest percentage general salary increase and other benefits.
Provides for comparable salary and other benefits for state employees designated managerial or confidential to ensure such employees receive an increase in salary at least equal to the percentage of the general salary increases provided to employees in a bargaining unit that receives the highest percentage general salary increase and other benefits.
A bill for an act increasing the state minimum hourly wage and providing for subsequent increases by the same percentage as the increase in federal social security benefits.
A bill for an act increasing the state minimum hourly wage and providing for subsequent increases by the same percentage as the increase in federal social security benefits.
Federal Employee Return to Work ActThis 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.
Federal Freeze ActThis bill bars pay raises for federal employees for one year and requires reductions in the number of employees at each federal agency.The bill prohibits agencies from increasing the basic pay of any employee for one year after enactment. Also in that first year, the bill prohibits each federal agency from increasing the number of its employees beyond the number employed on the date of the bill's enactment, except that the agency may increase such number when making appointments to positions related to law enforcement, public safety, or national security.Additionally, the bill requires reductions in force such that within three years of the bill's enactment the number of employees at each agency is 5% lower than it was on the date of the bill's enactment.