Introduced in Senate — S. 27

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 27

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 7, 2025

Mr. Cassidy introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

A BILL

To prohibit certain telework employees from receiving certain annual adjustments to pay schedules, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

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.