To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for lump-sum relocation payments for Federal employees relocated in the interest of the Government, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Federal Relocation Payment Improvement Act
.
Sec. 2. Lump-sum relocation payments for relocated Federal employees
(a) In general
Subchapter II of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
5739a. Authority for lump sum payment for relocation
(a) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, when the head of the agency concerned (or a designee) authorizes or approves, an agency, through the proper disbursing official, may pay to an employee who relocates in the interest of the Government, a one-time lump sum payment in lieu of any payment otherwise authorized or required under this subchapter.
(b) Regulations
Under section 5738 of this title, the Administrator of General Services shall prescribe regulations necessary for the implementation and administration of this section, including—
(1)
when agencies may authorize a one-time lump sum payment under this section or the payments otherwise authorized or required under this subchapter;
(2)
how agencies will calculate the lump sum amount; and
(3)
the process for employees to dispute a relocation expenses claim with their agency, notice of the employee’s right to appeal the agency decision to the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, and citation to the Board’s procedures governing the appeals process.
(c) Reporting
(1) Agency submission
Not later than 3 years following the date of enactment of the Federal Relocation Payment Improvement Act, the head of each agency shall submit to the Administrator of General Services the following:
(A)
Data on the number of employees authorized a one-time lump sum payment.
(B)
The number of employee challenges to agency disallowance of claims pursuant to this section.
(C)
Data on cost savings achieved by the Federal Relocation Payment Improvement Act.
(D)
A summary of recommendations to improve the Federal Relocation Payment Improvement Act.
(2) Administrator submission
Not later than 90 days after receipt of the data submitted pursuant to paragraph (1), the Administrator of General Services shall submit to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate an analysis of the data submitted pursuant to paragraph (1).
(b) Clerical amendment
The table of sections for such subchapter is amended by adding after the item relating to section 5739 the following: