US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB249

Introduced
1/10/23  

Caption

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.

Impact

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.

Summary

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.

Contention

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.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB422

No Subsidies for Wealthy Universities ActThis bill limits the indirect costs that are allowable under federal research awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs) with endowments above specified thresholds. (Generally, indirect costs represent expenses that are not specific to a research project but are needed to maintain the infrastructure and administrative support for federally funded research.)Specifically, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) must annually collect information regarding the endowments of each IHE that has entered into a program participation agreement with the Department of Education.With this collected information, NCES must identify and make lists of (1) each IHE with an endowment of more than $5 billion, and (2) each IHE with an endowment of more than $2 billion (but not more than $5 billion). NCES must submit these lists to the Office of Management and Budget, which must then distribute the lists to federal agencies, Congress, and the public.The bill establishes the following limits on the indirect costs allowable under federal research awards:for an IHE with an endowment of more than $5 billion, the IHE is prohibited from using these awards for indirect costs;for an IHE with an endowment of more than $2 billion (but not more than $5 billion), the IHE is limited to an indirect cost rate of 8%; andfor all other IHEs, an indirect cost rate of 15%.The Government Accountability Office must annually report to Congress on indirect cost reimbursement on federal research awards for IHEs.

US HB200

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.

US HB154

Securing our Elections Act of 2023 This bill establishes certain photo identification requirements for voting in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits a state or local election official from providing a ballot for a federal election to an individual who does not present valid photo identification. Next, the bill outlines the availability of provisional ballots and the requirements for counting those ballots. In particular, an individual who does not present a valid photo identification must be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. However, an election official may not determine that the individual is eligible under state law to vote in the election unless, not later than three days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents (1) the identification required, or (2) an affidavit attesting that the individual does not possess the identification because of a religious objection to being photographed. An election official may not allow for voting methods other than in-person voting unless the individual submits the ballot with (1) a copy of their photo identification, or (2) the last four digits of their Social Security number with an affidavit attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain a copy. This prohibition shall not apply to overseas military voters. The bill also requires an election official to provide an individual with a valid photo identification without charge if that individual presents an affidavit attesting to an inability to afford or otherwise obtain a valid photo identification.

US HB156

Securing our Elections Act of 2025This bill establishes certain photo identification requirements for voting in federal elections.Specifically, the bill prohibits a state or local election official from providing a ballot for a federal election to an individual who does not present valid photo identification.Next, the bill outlines the availability of provisional ballots and the requirements for counting those ballots. In particular, an individual who does not present a valid photo identification must be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. However, an election official may not determine that the individual is eligible under state law to vote in the election unless, not later than three days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents (1) the identification required, or (2) an affidavit attesting that the individual does not possess the identification because of a religious objection to being photographed.An election official may not allow for voting methods other than in-person voting unless the individual submits the ballot with (1) a copy of their photo identification, or (2) the last four digits of their Social Security number with an affidavit attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain a copy. This prohibition shall not apply to overseas military voters.The bill also requires a state to provide an individual with a valid photo identification without charge if that individual presents an affidavit attesting to an inability to afford or otherwise obtain a valid photo identification.

US A09034

Provides that state-funded SUNY programs shall be reimbursed at no less than 26% of the direct costs; allows state agencies to fund SUNY programs where such state agencies determine that such program would produce administrative efficiencies or cost savings.

US S07424

Provides that state-funded SUNY programs shall be reimbursed at no less than 26% of the direct costs; allows state agencies to fund SUNY programs where such state agencies determine that such program would produce administrative efficiencies or cost savings.

US HB1779

SWAMP Act Stop Wasteful Allocations of Money for Pelosi Act

US SB4155

A bill to require voters to provide photo identification as a condition of casting a ballot, and for other purposes.

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.

US HB2597

Protecting American Taxpayers from Wasteful Spending Act

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.