Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB1487

Introduced
3/9/23  

Caption

Office of Personnel Management Reform Act

Impact

The passage of HB 1487 would formally establish a more robust and streamlined structure within OPM, including the creation of a Chief Management Officer and a Federal Workforce Advisory Committee. The Chief Management Officer would be tasked with enhancing internal organization and management, thereby promoting the agency's strategic goals. Notably, the Advisory Committee would serve to advise the Director on making the federal government a preferred employer and provide insights on recruiting and retaining skilled personnel, thus addressing critical staffing needs in federal services.

Summary

House Bill 1487, known as the Office of Personnel Management Reform Act, proposes significant amendments to Title 5 of the United States Code with the intent of reforming the role and responsibilities of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The bill reaffirms OPM's status as the leading body for civilian human resource management in the federal government and emphasizes the need for the agency to adopt innovative practices in managing human capital. This reform encapsulates an overall strategy to elevate federal human capital management to a strategic priority while ensuring compliance with merit system principles.

Contention

Despite the bill's aim to improve federal human resources, there are potential points of contention regarding the true effectiveness of the proposed changes. Skeptics may question whether the reforms will meaningfully address the ongoing issues related to federal employment, such as recruitment and retention challenges. Moreover, the structure of the Advisory Committee and the appointment processes could raise concerns about political influence, particularly regarding the appointment of its members and the operational autonomy of the Chief Management Officer within the broader government framework.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB159

Chance to Compete Act of 2023 This bill modifies examination requirements and other components of the federal hiring process for positions in the competitive service. Specifically, the bill provides that a qualifying examination includes a résumé review that is conducted by a subject matter expert. Additionally, beginning two years after the bill's enactment, the bill prohibits examinations from consisting solely of a self-assessment from an automated examination, a résumé review that is not conducted by a subject matter expert, or any other method of assessing an applicant's experience or education; an agency may waive these requirements when necessary but must report any such waivers and may not use waivers to fill more than 10% of agency positions. Agencies may use subject matter experts to develop position-specific technical assessments that allow applicants to demonstrate job-related skills, abilities, and knowledge; assessments may include structured interviews, work-related exercises, procedures to measure career-related qualifications and interests, or other similar assessments. The bill also allows agencies to establish talent teams to support and improve hiring practices. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must create online platforms through which agencies may share and customize technical assessments and share the résumés of qualifying applicants. The OPM must also create online platforms with information about (1) the types of assessments used and hiring outcomes, (2) educational requirements for certain positions and related justifications, and (3) authorities and programs that support agency recruitment and retention.

US SB2226

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Securing Maritime Data from China Act of 2023 Military Service Promotion Act of 2023 Space Force Personnel Management Act Department of Defense Overdose Data Act of 2023

US HB1710

Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act of 2023

US HB1111

Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2023

US HB1534

Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act

US SB1600

Border Management, Security, and Assistance Act of 2023 Border Management Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023

US HB4211

Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act of 2023

US HB482

Western Wildfire Support Act of 2023 This bill establishes activities to address wildfires. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to establish spatial fire management plans before the end of FY2026. The bill establishes accounts in the Treasury for addressing wildfires, a program to train and certify citizens who wish to be able to volunteer to assist USDA or Interior during a wildland fire incident, a program to award grants to eligible states or units of local government to acquire slip-on tank and pump units for a surge capacity of resources for fire suppression, the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize for the management of wildfire-related invasive species, and the Management of Wildfire-Related Invasive Species Technology Advisory Board. The bill also requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to reimburse a state or federal agency for the costs of wildfire suppression as a result of a fire caused by DOD activity, requires the Joint Fire Science Program to work with unmanned aircraft test ranges to carry out research and development of unmanned aircraft system fire applications, requires federal and state disaster preparedness programs to include postdisaster assistance, and authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide funding to a state agency to establish and operate a website to provide information relating to postfire recovery funding and resources to a community or an individual impacted by a wildland fire.

US HB4538

BLUE Pacific Act Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act

US HB139

Stopping Home Office Work's Unproductive Problems Act of 2023 or the SHOW UP Act of 2023 This bill requires each executive agency to reinstate the telework policies that were in place on December 31, 2019. Agencies may not implement expanded telework policies unless the Office of Personnel Management certifies that such policies, among other requirements, will have a positive effect on the agency's mission and operational costs.

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