Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of 2023 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.
The proposed legislation aims to encourage a culture of cost-efficiency within federal agencies by providing financial incentives for employees to actively participate in identifying and eliminating waste. By doubling the maximum cash award from $10,000 to $20,000 for successful disclosures, the bill seeks to boost employee motivation and participation in cost-saving measures, which could lead to significant savings for the government over time. The intent behind these changes reflects a commitment to improving government accountability and reducing unnecessary expenditures.
House Bill 249, known as the 'Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of 2023', seeks to amend Title 5 of the United States Code to enhance the authority of federal agencies in rewarding employees for identifying cost-saving opportunities. This bill introduces mechanisms for federal employees to report wasteful expenditures and enables the corresponding agency heads to grant cash awards to those who provide actionable cost-saving disclosures. One key feature of the bill is the inclusion of a broader definition of wasteful expenses, which now encompasses certain operational costs deemed unnecessary by the agency's Chief Financial Officer after employee reports.
Notably, the bill emphasizes the need for an accountability structure; it mandates that the Chief Financial Officer must assess and subsequently propose any identified wasteful expenditures for rescission. If enacted, this measure may spark discussions about the adequacy of current compliance and oversight mechanisms within the federal bureaucracy. As these provisions move forward, stakeholders may express diverse opinions regarding the effectiveness of financial incentive structures in fostering a more vigilant and responsible federal workforce.