Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB3115

Introduced
5/5/23  

Caption

Public Service Reform Act

Impact

The enactment of HB3115 would abolish the Merit Systems Protection Board, which currently serves as an oversight mechanism for personnel actions against federal employees. With this board's dissolution, employees would have limited avenues for appeal against adverse actions, potentially leading to a workforce that operates under more precarious employment conditions. Critics, particularly those in labor advocacy, argue that this bill could lead to an environment where job security is diminished, making it easier for political motivations to dictate employment decisions.

Summary

House Bill 3115, known as the Public Service Reform Act, aims to redefine employment terms for federal employees in the executive branch by establishing them as 'at-will' employees. This significant change means that federal employees may be subject to adverse employment actions, including removal, without the need for good cause, bad cause, or any cause at all. The legislation removes several protections that currently afford due process to career employees regarding their employment status, thus impacting job security within federal agencies.

Contention

Supporters of the bill argue that transferring to an at-will employment model would increase the flexibility and responsiveness of federal agencies. However, opponents contend that this undermines the principles of merit-based employment and leads to a chilling effect on whistleblowers and those wishing to speak out about misconduct. The loss of an independent review body is particularly contentious, as it has historically provided a safeguard against unfair treatment in the bureaucracy, making this a polarizing issue in contemporary policy discussions.

Companion Bills

US SB1496

Same As Public Service Reform Act

Previously Filed As

US SB1496

Public Service Reform Act

US HB4569

Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2023

US HB3806

LISTOS Act Language-Inclusive Support and Transparency for Online Services Act of 2023

US HB3943

Servicemember Employment Protection Act of 2023

US HB4568

TLDR Act Terms-of-service Labeling, Design, and Readability Act

US HB4598

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services Expansion Act

US HB45

Small Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Simplification Act This bill expands the tax credit for a portion of the employer-paid Social Security taxes for employee cash tips to include beauty service establishments. (Under current law, the credit is limited to tips received for providing, serving, or delivering food or beverages.) The credit applies to tips received in connection with providing beauty services to a customer or client if tipping employees who provide the service is customary. Beauty services include barbering and hair care, nail care, esthetics, and body and spa treatments. The bill also (1) establishes an employer tip reporting safe harbor for beauty service establishments, and (2) specifies reporting requirements for income received from renting space to individuals who provide beauty services. The employer tip reporting safe harbor for beauty service establishments provides an exemption from certain Internal Revenue Service tip examinations for employers who meet certain requirements for educational programs, reporting procedures, compliance with tax law, and recordkeeping.

US HB12

Women's Health Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services. Before fetal viability, governments may not restrict providers from using particular abortion procedures or drugs, offering abortion services via telemedicine, or immediately providing abortion services if delaying risks the patient's health. Furthermore, governments may not require providers to perform unnecessary medical procedures, provide medically inaccurate information, or comply with credentialing or other conditions that do not apply to providers who offer medically comparable services to abortions. Additionally, governments may not require patients to make medically unnecessary in-person visits before receiving abortion services or disclose their reasons for obtaining services. After fetal viability, governments may not restrict providers from performing abortions when necessary to protect a patient's life and health. The same provisions that apply to abortions before viability also apply to necessary abortions after viability. Additionally, states may authorize post-viability abortions in circumstances beyond those that the bill considers necessary. Further, the bill recognizes an individual's right to interstate travel, including for abortion services. The bill also prohibits governments from implementing measures that are similar to those restricted by the bill or that otherwise single out and impede access to abortion services, unless the measure significantly advances the safety of abortion services or health of patients and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means. The Department of Justice, individuals, or providers may sue states or government officials to enforce this bill, regardless of certain immunity that would otherwise apply.

US HB3833

National Labor Relations Board Reform Act

US HB5008

Health Equity and Access under the Law for Immigrant Families Act of 2023 HEAL for Immigrant Families Act of 2023

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