January 7, 2025
Mr. Newhouse (for himself, Mr. Nunn of Iowa, Mr. Meuser, Mr. Weber of Texas, Ms. Boebert, Mr. Timmons, Mr. Ellzey, Mrs. Hinson, Mr. Collins, Ms. Malliotakis, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Finstad, and Mr. Fleischmann) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
To prohibit certain telework employees from receiving certain annual adjustments to pay schedules, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Federal Employee Return to Work Act
.
Sec. 2. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Covered employee
The term covered employee—
(A)
means an employee who teleworks not fewer than 1 day, or in the case of an alternative work schedule, not less than 20 percent, a week; and
(B)
does not include an employee who—
(i)
teleworks not fewer than 1 day a week; and
(ii)
is—
(I)
is disabled and receives reasonable accommodations;
(II)
a member of the Foreign Service of the United States;
(III)
a Federal law enforcement officer;
(IV)
a member of the Armed Forces on active duty; or
(V)
any other employee, the official worksite of whom is not described in section 531.605(a)(1) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling).
(2) Employee
The term employee has the meaning given the term in section 2105 of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Telework
The term telework has the meaning given the term in section 6501 of title 5, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Annual adjustments to pay schedules
No covered employee may receive an annual adjustment under section 5303 of title 5, United States Code.
Sec. 4. Pay localities
Each covered employee shall be paid at the rate of basic pay under the applicable grade and step for that employee under the locality pay area designated as Rest of U.S.
—
(1)
as of the date on which the employee becomes a covered employee; and
(2)
which shall not be adjusted under section 5304 of title 5, United States Code.
Sec. 5. Effective date
This Act shall take effect on the first day of the first full fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.