[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1994 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1994
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 30, 2015
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the removal or
demotion of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs based on
performance or misconduct, 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 ``VA Accountability Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. REMOVAL OR DEMOTION OF EMPLOYEES BASED ON PERFORMANCE OR
MISCONDUCT.
(a) In General.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 715. Employees: removal or demotion based on performance or
misconduct
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may remove or demote an individual
who is an employee of the Department if the Secretary determines the
performance or misconduct of the individual warrants such removal or
demotion. If the Secretary so removes or demotes such an individual,
the Secretary may--
``(1) remove the individual from the civil service (as
defined in section 2101 of title 5); or
``(2) demote the individual by means of--
``(A) a reduction in grade for which the individual
is qualified and that the Secretary determines is
appropriate; or
``(B) a reduction in annual rate of pay that the
Secretary determines is appropriate.
``(b) Pay of Certain Demoted Individuals.--(1) Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, any individual subject to a demotion under
subsection (a)(2)(A) shall, beginning on the date of such demotion,
receive the annual rate of pay applicable to such grade.
``(2) An individual so demoted may not be placed on administrative
leave or any other category of paid leave during the period during
which an appeal (if any) under this section is ongoing, and may only
receive pay if the individual reports for duty. If an individual so
demoted does not report for duty, such individual shall not receive pay
or other benefits pursuant to subsection (e)(5).
``(c) Notice to Congress.--Not later than 30 days after removing or
demoting an individual under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives notice in writing of such removal or demotion and the
reason for such removal or demotion.
``(d) Procedure.--(1) The procedures under section 7513(b) of title
5 and chapter 43 of such title shall not apply to a removal or demotion
under this section.
``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B) and subsection (e), any
removal or demotion under subsection (a) may be appealed to the Merit
Systems Protection Board under section 7701 of title 5.
``(B) An appeal under subparagraph (A) of a removal or demotion may
only be made if such appeal is made not later than seven days after the
date of such removal or demotion.
``(e) Expedited Review by Administrative Judge.--(1) Upon receipt
of an appeal under subsection (d)(2)(A), the Merit Systems Protection
Board shall refer such appeal to an administrative judge pursuant to
section 7701(b)(1) of title 5. The administrative judge shall expedite
any such appeal under such section and, in any such case, shall issue a
decision not later than 45 days after the date of the appeal.
``(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including section
7703 of title 5, the decision of an administrative judge under
paragraph (1) shall be final and shall not be subject to any further
appeal.
``(3) In any case in which the administrative judge cannot issue a
decision in accordance with the 45-day requirement under paragraph (1),
the removal or demotion is final. In such a case, the Merit Systems
Protection Board shall, within 14 days after the date that such removal
or demotion is final, submit to Congress and the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report
that explains the reasons why a decision was not issued in accordance
with such requirement.
``(4) The Merit Systems Protection Board or administrative judge
may not stay any removal or demotion under this section.
``(5) During the period beginning on the date on which an
individual appeals a removal from the civil service under subsection
(d) and ending on the date that the administrative judge issues a final
decision on such appeal, such individual may not receive any pay,
awards, bonuses, incentives, allowances, differentials, student loan
repayments, special payments, or benefits.
``(6) To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall
provide to the Merit Systems Protection Board, and to any
administrative judge to whom an appeal under this section is referred,
such information and assistance as may be necessary to ensure an appeal
under this subsection is expedited.
``(f) Whistleblower Protection.--(1) In the case of an individual
seeking corrective action (or on behalf of whom corrective action is
sought) from the Office of Special Counsel based on an alleged
prohibited personnel practice described in section 2302(b) of title 5,
the Secretary may not remove or demote such individual under subsection
(a) without the approval of the Special Counsel under section 1214(f)
of title 5.
``(2) In the case of an individual who has filed a whistleblower
complaint, as such term is defined in section 731 of this title, the
Secretary may not remove or demote such individual under subsection (a)
until the central whistleblower office under section 732(h) of this
title has made a final decision with respect to the whistleblower
complaint.
``(g) Termination of Investigations by Office of Special Counsel.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Special Counsel
(established by section 1211 of title 5) may terminate an investigation
of a prohibited personnel practice alleged by an employee or former
employee of the Department after the Special Counsel provides to the
employee or former employee a written statement of the reasons for the
termination of the investigation. Such statement may not be admissible
as evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding without the
consent of such employee or former employee.
``(h) Relation to Title 5.--The authority provided by this section
is in addition to the authority provided by subchapter V of chapter 75
of title 5 and chapter 43 of such title.
``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `individual' means an individual occupying a
position at the Department but does not include--
``(A) an individual, as that term is defined in
section 713(g)(1); or
``(B) a political appointee.
``(2) The term `grade' has the meaning given such term in
section 7511(a) of title 5.
``(3) The term `misconduct' includes neglect of duty,
malfeasance, or failure to accept a directed reassignment or to
accompany a position in a transfer of function.
``(4) The term `political appointee' means an individual
who is--
``(A) employed in a position described under
sections 5312 through 5316 of title 5 (relating to the
Executive Schedule);
``(B) a limited term appointee, limited emergency
appointee, or noncareer appointee in the Senior
Executive Service, as defined under paragraphs (5),
(6), and (7), respectively, of section 3132(a) of title
5; or
``(C) employed in a position of a confidential or
policy-determining character under schedule C of
subpart C of part 213 of title 5 of the Code of Federal
Regulations.''.
(b) Clerical and Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Clerical.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
``715. Employees: removal or demotion based on performance or
misconduct.''.
(2) Conforming.--Section 4303(f) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (2);
(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph
(3) and inserting ``, or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) any removal or demotion under section 715 of title
38.''.
SEC. 3. REQUIRED PROBATIONARY PERIOD FOR NEW EMPLOYEES OF DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Probationary Period.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code,
as amended by section 2, is further amended by adding at the
end the following new section:
``Sec. 717. Probationary period for employees
``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding sections 3321 and 3393(d) of
title 5, the appointment of a covered employee shall become final only
after such employee has served a probationary period of 18 months. The
Secretary may extend a probationary period under this subsection at the
discretion of the Secretary.
``(b) Covered Employee.--In this section, the term `covered
employee'--
``(1) means any individual--
``(A) appointed to a permanent position within the
competitive service at the Department; or
``(B) appointed as a career appointee (as that term
is defined in section 3132(a)(4) of title 5) within the
Senior Executive Service at the Department; and
``(2) does not include any individual with a probationary
period prescribed by section 7403 of this title.
``(c) Permanent Hires.--Upon the expiration of a covered employee's
probationary period under subsection (a), the supervisor of the
employee shall determine whether the appointment becomes final based on
regulations prescribed for such purpose by the Secretary.''.
(2) Clerical and conforming amendments.--
(A) Clerical.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter, as amended by section 2, is
further amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
``717. Probationary period for employees.''.
(B) Conforming.--Title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
(i) in section 3321(c)--
(I) by striking ``Service or'' and
inserting ``Service,''; and
(II) by inserting at the end before
the period the following: ``, or any
individual covered by section 717 of
title 38''; and
(ii) in section 3393(d), by adding at the
end after the period the following: ``The
preceding sentence shall not apply to any
individual covered by section 717 of title
38.''.
(b) Application.--Section 717 of title 38, United States Code, as
added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply to any covered employee (as
that term is defined in subsection (b) of such section 717, as so
added) appointed after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. TREATMENT OF WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is
further amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter:
``SUBCHAPTER II--WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS
``Sec. 731. Whistleblower complaint defined
``In this subchapter, the term `whistleblower complaint' means a
complaint by an employee of the Department disclosing, or assisting
another employee to disclose, a potential violation of any law, rule,
or regulation, or gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of
authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health and
safety.
``Sec. 732. Treatment of whistleblower complaints
``(a) Filing.--(1) In addition to any other method established by
law in which an employee may file a whistleblower complaint, an
employee of the Department may file a whistleblower complaint in
accordance with subsection (g) with a supervisor of the employee.
``(2) Except as provided by subsection (d)(1), in making a
whistleblower complaint under paragraph (1), an employee shall file the
initial complaint with the immediate supervisor of the employee.
``(b) Notification.--(1) Not later than four business days after
the date on which a supervisor receives a whistleblower complaint by an
employee under this section, the supervisor shall notify, in writing,
the employee of whether the supervisor determines that there is a
reasonable likelihood that the complaint discloses a violation of any
law, rule, or regulation, or gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds,
abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health
and safety. The supervisor shall retain written documentation regarding
the whistleblower complaint and shall submit to the next-level
supervisor and the central whistleblower office described in subsection
(h) a written report on the complaint.
``(2) On a monthly basis, the supervisor shall submit to the
appropriate director or other official who is superior to the
supervisor a written report that includes the number of whistleblower
complaints received by the supervisor under this section during the
month covered by the report, the disposition of such complaints, and
any actions taken because of such complaints pursuant to subsection
(c). In the case in which such a director or official carries out this
paragraph, the director or official shall submit such monthly report to
the supervisor of the director or official and to the central
whistleblower office described in subsection (h).
``(c) Positive Determination.--If a supervisor makes a positive
determination under subsection (b)(1) regarding a whistleblower
complaint of an employee, the supervisor shall include in the
notification to the employee under such subsection the specific actions
that the supervisor will take to address the complaint.
``(d) Filing Complaint With Next-level Supervisors.--(1) If any
circumstance described in paragraph (3) is met, an employee may file a
whistleblower complaint in accordance with subsection (g) with the
next-level supervisor who shall treat such complaint in accordance with
this section.
``(2) An employee may file a whistleblower complaint with the
Secretary if the employee has filed the whistleblower complaint to each
level of supervisors between the employee and the Secretary in
accordance with paragraph (1).
``(3) A circumstance described in this paragraph are any of the
following circumstances:
``(A) A supervisor does not make a timely determination
under subsection (b)(1) regarding a whistleblower complaint.
``(B) The employee who made a whistleblower complaint
determines that the supervisor did not adequately address the
complaint pursuant to subsection (c).
``(C) The immediate supervisor of the employee is the basis
of the whistleblower complaint.
``(e) Transfer of Employee Who Files Whistleblower Complaint.--If a
supervisor makes a positive determination under subsection (b)(1)
regarding a whistleblower complaint filed by an employee, the Secretary
shall--
``(1) inform the employee of the ability to volunteer for a
transfer in accordance with section 3352 of title 5; and
``(2) give preference to the employee for such a transfer
in accordance with such section.
``(f) Prohibition on Exemption.--The Secretary may not exempt any
employee of the Department from being covered by this section.
``(g) Whistleblower Complaint Form.--(1) A whistleblower complaint
filed by an employee under subsection (a) or (d) shall consist of the
form described in paragraph (2) and any supporting materials or
documentation the employee determines necessary.
``(2) The form described in this paragraph is a form developed by
the Secretary, in consultation with the Special Counsel, that includes
the following:
``(A) An explanation of the purpose of the whistleblower
complaint form.
``(B) Instructions for filing a whistleblower complaint as
described in this section.
``(C) An explanation that filing a whistleblower complaint
under this section does not preclude the employee from any
other method established by law in which an employee may file a
whistleblower complaint.
``(D) A statement directing the employee to information
accessible on the Internet website of the Department as
described in section 735(c).
``(E) Fields for the employee to provide--
``(i) the date that the form is submitted;
``(ii) the name of the employee;
``(iii) the contact information of the employee;
``(iv) a summary of the whistleblower complaint
(including the option to append supporting documents
pursuant to paragraph (1)); and
``(v) proposed solutions to complaint.
``(F) Any other information or fields that the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(3) The Secretary, in consultation with the Special Counsel,
shall develop the form described in paragraph (2) by not later than 60
days after the date of the enactment of this section.
``(h) Central Whistleblower Office.--(1) The Secretary shall ensure
that the central whistleblower office--
``(A) is not an element of the Office of the General
Counsel;
``(B) is not headed by an official who reports to the
General Counsel;
``(C) does not provide, or receive from, the General
Counsel any information regarding a whistleblower complaint
except pursuant to an action regarding the complaint before an
administrative body or court; and
``(D) does not provide advice to the General Counsel.
``(2) The central whistleblower office shall be responsible for
investigating all whistleblower complaints of the Department,
regardless of whether such complaints are made by or against an
employee who is not a member of the Senior Executive Service.
``(3) The Secretary shall ensure that the central whistleblower
office maintains a toll-free hotline to anonymously receive
whistleblower complaints.
``(4) In this subsection, the term `central whistleblower office'
means the Office of Accountability Review or a successor office that is
established or designated by the Secretary to investigate whistleblower
complaints filed under this section or any other method established by
law.
``Sec. 733. Adverse actions against supervisory employees who commit
prohibited personnel actions relating to whistleblower
complaints
``(a) In General.--(1) In accordance with paragraph (2), the
Secretary shall carry out the following adverse actions against
supervisory employees whom the Secretary, an administrative judge, the
Merit Systems Protection Board, the Office of Special Counsel, an
adjudicating body provided under a union contract, a Federal judge, or
the Inspector General of the Department determines committed a
prohibited personnel action described in subsection (c):
``(A) With respect to the first offense, an adverse action
that is not less than a 14-day suspension and not more than
removal.
``(B) With respect to the second offense, removal.
``(2)(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B), and
notwithstanding subsections (b) and (c) of section 7513 and section
7543 of title 5, the provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of section
713 of this title shall apply with respect to an adverse action carried
out under paragraph (1).
``(B) An employee who is notified of being the subject of a
proposed adverse action under paragraph (1) may not be given more than
five days following such notification to provide evidence to dispute
such proposed adverse action. If the employee does not provide any such
evidence, or if the Secretary determines that such evidence is not
sufficient to reverse the determination to propose the adverse action,
the Secretary shall carry out the adverse action following such five-
day period.
``(b) Limitation on Other Adverse Actions.--With respect to a
prohibited personnel action described in subsection (c), if the
Secretary carries out an adverse action against a supervisory employee,
the Secretary may carry out an additional adverse action under this
section based on the same prohibited personnel action if the total
severity of the adverse actions do not exceed the level specified in
subsection (a).
``(c) Prohibited Personnel Action Described.--A prohibited
personnel action described in this subsection is any of the following
actions:
``(1) Taking or failing to take a personnel action in
violation of section 2302 of title 5 against an employee
relating to the employee--
``(A) filing a whistleblower complaint in
accordance with section 732 of this title;
``(B) filing a whistleblower complaint with the
Inspector General of the Department, the Special
Counsel, or Congress;
``(C) providing information or participating as a
witness in an investigation of a whistleblower
complaint in accordance with section 732 or with the
Inspector General of the Department, the Special
Counsel, or Congress;
``(D) participating in an audit or investigation by
the Comptroller General of the United States;
``(E) refusing to perform an action that is
unlawful or prohibited by the Department; or
``(F) engaging in communications that are related
to the duties of the position or are otherwise
protected.
``(2) Preventing or restricting an employee from making an
action described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (F) of
paragraph (1).
``(3) Conducting a peer review or opening a retaliatory
investigation relating to an activity of an employee that is
protected by section 2302 of title 5.
``(4) Requesting a contractor to carry out an action that
is prohibited by section 4705(b) or section 4712(a)(1) of title
41, as the case may be.
``Sec. 734. Evaluation criteria of supervisors and treatment of bonuses
``(a) Evaluation Criteria.--(1) In evaluating the performance of
supervisors of the Department, the Secretary shall include the criteria
described in paragraph (2).
``(2) The criteria described in this subsection are the following:
``(A) Whether the supervisor treats whistleblower
complaints in accordance with section 732.
``(B) Whether the appropriate deciding official,
performance review board, or performance review committee
determines that the supervisor was found to have committed a
prohibited personnel action described in section 733(b) by an
administrative judge, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the
Office of Special Counsel, an adjudicating body provided under
a union contract, a Federal judge, or, in the case of a
settlement of a whistleblower complaint (regardless of whether
any fault was assigned under such settlement), the Secretary.
``(b) Bonuses.--(1) The Secretary may not pay to a supervisor
described in subsection (a)(2)(B) an award or bonus under this title or
title 5, including under chapter 45 or 53 of such title, during the
one-year period beginning on the date on which the determination was
made under such subsection.
``(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
shall issue an order directing a supervisor described in subsection
(a)(2)(B) to repay the amount of any award or bonus paid under this
title or title 5, including under chapter 45 or 53 of such title, if--
``(A) such award or bonus was paid for performance during a
period in which the supervisor committed a prohibited personnel
action as determined pursuant to such subsection (a)(2)(B);
``(B) the Secretary determines such repayment appropriate
pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary to carry
out this section; and
``(C) the supervisor is afforded notice and an opportunity
for a hearing before making such repayment.
``Sec. 735. Training regarding whistleblower complaints
``(a) Training.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman designated under section 3(d)(1)(C)
of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), shall annually
provide to each employee of the Department training regarding
whistleblower complaints, including--
``(1) an explanation of each method established by law in
which an employee may file a whistleblower complaint;
``(2) an explanation of prohibited personnel actions
described by section 733(c) of this title;
``(3) with respect to supervisors, how to treat
whistleblower complaints in accordance with section 732 of this
title;
``(4) the right of the employee to petition Congress
regarding a whistleblower complaint in accordance with section
7211 of title 5;
``(5) an explanation that the employee may not be
prosecuted or reprised against for disclosing information to
Congress in instances where such disclosure is permitted by
law, including under sections 5701, 5705, and 7732 of this
title, under section 552a of title 5 (commonly referred to as
the Privacy Act), under chapter 93 of title 18, and pursuant to
regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public
Law 104-191);
``(6) an explanation of the language that is required to be
included in all nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements
pursuant to section 115(a)(1) of the Whistleblower Protection
Enhancement Act of 2012 (5 U.S.C. 2302 note); and
``(7) the right of contractors to be protected from
reprisal for the disclosure of certain information under
section 4705 or 4712 of title 41.
``(b) Certification.--The Secretary shall annually provide training
on merit system protection in a manner that the Special Counsel
certifies as being satisfactory.
``(c) Publication.--(1) The Secretary shall publish on the Internet
website of the Department, and display prominently at each facility of
the Department, the rights of an employee to file a whistleblower
complaint, including the information described in paragraphs (1)
through (7) of subsection (a).
``(2) The Secretary shall publish on the Internet website of the
Department, the whistleblower complaint form described in section
732(g)(2).
``Sec. 736. Reports to Congress
``(a) Annual Reports.--The Secretary shall annually submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Senate, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House
of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that includes--
``(1) with respect to whistleblower complaints filed under
section 732 during the year covered by the report--
``(A) the number of such complaints filed;
``(B) the disposition of such complaints; and
``(C) the ways in which the Secretary addressed
such complaints in which a positive determination was
made by a supervisor under subsection (b)(1) of such
section;
``(2) the number of whistleblower complaints filed during
the year covered by the report that are not included under
paragraph (1), including--
``(A) the method in which such complaints were
filed;
``(B) the disposition of such complaints; and
``(C) the ways in which the Secretary addressed
such complaints; and
``(3) with respect to disclosures made by a contractor
under section 4705 or 4712 of title 41--
``(A) the number of complaints relating to such
disclosures that were investigated by the Inspector
General of the Department of Veterans Affairs during
the year covered by the report;
``(B) the disposition of such complaints; and
``(C) the ways in which the Secretary addressed
such complaints.
``(b) Notice of Office of Special Counsel Determinations.--Not
later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary receives from
the Special Counsel information relating to a whistleblower complaint
pursuant to section 1213 of title 5, the Secretary shall notify the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Senate, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House
of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate of such information, including the
determination made by the Special Counsel.''.
(b) Conforming and Clerical Amendments.--
(1) Conforming amendment.--Such chapter is further amended
by inserting before section 701 the following:
``SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL EMPLOYEE MATTERS''.
(2) Clerical amendments.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended--
(A) by inserting before the item relating to
section 701 the following new item:
``subchapter i--general employee matters'';
and
(B) by adding at the end the following new items:
``subchapter ii--whistleblower complaints
``731. Whistleblower complaint defined.
``732. Treatment of whistleblower complaints.
``733. Adverse actions against supervisory employees who commit
prohibited personnel actions relating to
whistleblower complaints.
``734. Evaluation criteria of supervisors and treatment of bonuses.
``735. Training regarding whistleblower complaints.
``736. Reports to Congress.''.
SEC. 5. REFORM OF PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL SYSTEM FOR SENIOR EXECUTIVE
SERVICE EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Performance Appraisal System.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code,
is further amended by inserting after section 717, as added by
section 3, the following new section:
``Sec. 719. Senior executives: performance appraisal
``(a) Performance Appraisal System.--(1) The performance appraisal
system for individuals employed in senior executive positions in the
Department required by section 4312 of title 5 shall provide, in
addition to the requirements of such section, for five annual summary
ratings of levels of performance as follows:
``(A) One outstanding level.
``(B) One exceeds fully successful level.
``(C) One fully successful level.
``(D) One minimally satisfactory level.
``(E) One unsatisfactory level.
``(2) The following limitations apply to the rating of the
performance of such individuals:
``(A) For any year, not more than 10 percent of such
individuals who receive a performance rating during that year
may receive the outstanding level under paragraph (1)(A).
``(B) For any year, not more than 20 percent of such
individuals who receive a performance rating during that year
may receive the exceeds fully successful level under paragraph
(1)(B).
``(3) In evaluating the performance of an individual under the
performance appraisal system, the Secretary shall take into
consideration--
``(A) any complaint or report (including any pending or
published report) submitted by the Inspector General of the
Department, the Comptroller General of the United States, the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other
appropriate person or entity, related to any facility or
program managed by the individual, as determined by the
Secretary;
``(B) efforts made by the individual to maintain high
levels of satisfaction and commitment among the employees
supervised by the individual; and
``(C) the criteria described in section 734(a)(2) of this
title.
``(b) Change of Position.--(1) At least once every five years, the
Secretary shall reassign each individual employed in a senior executive
position to a position at a different location that does not include
the supervision of the same personnel or programs. The Secretary shall
make such reassignments on a rolling basis based on the date on which
an individual was originally assigned to a position.
``(2) The Secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph (1)
for any such individual, if the Secretary submits to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives notice of
the waiver and an explanation of the reasons for the waiver.
``(c) Report.--Not later than March 1 of each year, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs and Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives a report on the performance appraisal system of the
Department under subsection (a). Each such report shall include, for
the year preceding the year during which the report is submitted, each
of the following:
``(1) All documentation concerning each of the following
for each individual employed in a senior executive position in
the Department:
``(A) The initial performance appraisal.
``(B) The higher level review, if requested.
``(C) The recommendations of the performance review
board.
``(D) The final summary review.
``(E) The number of initial performance ratings
raised as a result of the recommendations of the
performance review board.
``(F) The number of initial performance ratings
lowered as a result of the recommendations of the
performance review board.
``(G) Any adverse action taken against any such
individual who receives a performance rating of less
than fully successful.
``(2) The review of the Inspector General of the Department
of the information described in subparagraphs (A) through (D)
of paragraph (1).
``(3) A summary of the documentation provided under
paragraph (1).
``(d) Definition of Senior Executive Position.--In this section,
the term `senior executive position' has the meaning given that term in
section 713(g)(3) of this title.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter, as amended by section 3, is further
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 717 the
following new item:
``719. Senior executives: performance appraisal.''.
(3) Conforming amendment.--Section 4312(b) of title 5,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) that, in the case of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, the performance appraisal system meets the
requirements of section 719 of title 38.''.
(b) Review of SES Management Training.--
(1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
enter into a contract with a nongovernmental entity to review
the management training program for individuals employed in
senior executive positions (as such term is defined in section
713(g)(3) of title 38, United States Code) of the Department of
Veterans Affairs that is being provided as of the date of the
enactment of this Act. Such review shall include a comparison
of the training provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs
to the management training provided for senior executives of
other Federal departments and agencies and to the management
training provided to senior executives in the private sector.
The contract shall provide that the nongovernmental entity must
complete and submit to the Secretary a report containing the
findings and conclusions of the review by not later than 180
days after the date on which the Secretary and the
nongovernmental entity enter into the contract.
(2) Report to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the
date on which the Secretary receives the report under paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives the report
together with a plan for carrying out the recommendations
contained in the report.
SEC. 6. REDUCTION OF BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE
SERVICE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
CONVICTED OF CERTAIN CRIMES.
(a) Reduction of Benefits.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code,
is further amended by inserting after section 719, as added by
section 5, the following new section:
``Sec. 721. Senior executives: reduction of benefits of individuals
convicted of certain crimes
``(a) Reduction of Annuity for Removed Employee.--The Secretary
shall order that the covered service of an individual removed from a
senior executive position under section 713 of this title shall not be
taken into account for purposes of calculating an annuity with respect
to such individual under chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5, if--
``(1) the individual is convicted of a felony that
influenced the individual's performance while employed in the
senior executive position; and
``(2) before such order is made, the individual is afforded
notice and an opportunity for a hearing conducted by another
department or agency of the Federal Government.
``(b) Reduction of Annuity for Retired Employee.--(1) The Secretary
may order that the covered service of an individual who is subject to a
removal or transfer action under section 713 of this title but who
leaves employment at the Department prior to the issuance of a final
decision with respect to such action shall not be taken into account
for purposes of calculating an annuity with respect to such individual
under chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5, if--
``(A) the individual is convicted of a felony that
influenced the individual's performance while employed in the
senior executive position; and
``(B) before such order is made, the individual is afforded
notice and an opportunity for a hearing conducted by another
department or agency of the Federal Government.
``(2) The Secretary shall make such an order not later than seven
days after the date of the conclusion of a hearing referred to in
paragraph (1)(B) that determines that such order is lawful.
``(c) Administrative Requirements.--(1) Not later than 30 days
after the Secretary issues an order under subsection (a) or (b), the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall recalculate the
annuity of the individual.
``(2) A decision regarding whether the covered service of an
individual shall be taken into account for purposes of calculating an
annuity under subsection (a) or (b) is final and may not be reviewed by
any department or agency or any court.
``(d) Lump-Sum Annuity Credit.--Any individual with respect to whom
an annuity is reduced under subsection (a) or (b) shall be entitled to
be paid so much of such individual's lump-sum credit as is attributable
to the period of covered service.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `covered service' means, with respect to an
individual subject to a removal or transfer action under
section 713 of this title, the period of service beginning on
the date that the Secretary determines under such section that
such individual engaged in activity that gave rise to such
action and ending on the date that such individual is removed
from the civil service or leaves employment at the Department
prior to the issuance of a final decision with respect to such
action, as the case may be.
``(2) The term `lump-sum credit' has the meaning given such
term in section 8331(8) or section 8401(19) of title 5, as the
case may be.
``(3) The term `senior executive position' has the meaning
given such term in section 713(g)(3) of this title.
``(4) The term `service' has the meaning given such term in
section 8331(12) or section 8401(26) of title 5, as the case
may be.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 719, as added by section 5,
the following new item:
``721. Senior executives: reduction of benefits of individuals
convicted of certain crimes.''.
(b) Application.--Section 721 of title 38, United States Code, as
added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply to any action of removal or
transfer under section 713 of title 38, United States Code, commencing
on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 7. LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE FOR EMPLOYEES DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Limitation.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code,
is further amended by inserting after section 721, as added by
section 6, the following new section:
``Sec. 723. Limitation on administrative leave
``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
Secretary may not place any covered individual on administrative leave,
or any other type of paid non-duty status without charge to leave, for
more than a total of 14 days during any 365-day period.
``(b) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the limitation under
subsection (a) and extend the administrative leave or other paid non-
duty status without charge to leave of a covered individual placed on
such leave or status under subsection (a) if the Secretary submits to
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives a detailed explanation of the reasons the individual
was placed on administrative leave or other paid non-duty status
without charge to leave and the reasons for the extension of such leave
or status. Such explanation shall include the name of the covered
individual, the location where the individual is employed, and the
individual's job title.
``(c) Covered Individual.--In this subsection, the term `covered
individual' means an employee of the Department--
``(1) who is subject to an investigation for purposes of
determining whether such individual should be subject to any
disciplinary action under this title or title 5; or
``(2) against whom any disciplinary action is proposed or
initiated under this title or title 5.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter, as amended by section 6, is further
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 721 the
following new item:
``723. Limitation on administrative leave.''.
(b) Application.--Section 723 of title 38, United States Code, as
added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply with respect to any 365-day
period beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 8. TREATMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS EMPLOYEES AS OFFICIAL DUTY.
(a) In General.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is
further amended by inserting after section 723, as added by section 7,
the following new section:
``Sec. 725. Congressional testimony by employees: treatment as official
duty
``(a) Congressional Testimony.--An employee of the Department is
performing official duty during the period with respect to which the
employee is testifying in an official capacity in front of either House
of Congress, a committee of either House of Congress, or a joint or
select committee of Congress.
``(b) Travel Expenses.--The Secretary shall provide travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with
applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, to
any employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs performing official
duty described under subsection (a).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is further amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 723, as added by section 7, the following new item:
``725. Congressional testimony by employees: treatment as official
duty.''.
SEC. 9. LIMITATION ON AWARDS AND BONUSES PAID TO EMPLOYEES OF
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 705 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act
of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 703 note) is amended to read as
follows:
``SEC. 705. LIMITATION ON AWARDS AND BONUSES PAID TO EMPLOYEES OF
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
``The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the aggregate
amount of awards and bonuses paid by the Secretary in a fiscal year
under chapter 45 or 53 of title 5, United States Code, or any other
awards or bonuses authorized under such title or title 38, United
States Code, does not exceed the following amounts:
``(1) With respect to each of fiscal years 2015 through
2018, $300,000,000.
``(2) With respect to each of fiscal years 2019 through
2024, $360,000,000.''.
SEC. 10. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY OF DEPARTMENT TIME AND SPACE USED
FOR LABOR ORGANIZATION ACTIVITY.
(a) Study Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct a study on the amount of time spent by Department of
Veterans Affairs employees carrying out organizing activities relating
to labor organizations and the amount of space in Department facilities
used for such activities. The study shall include a cost-benefit
analysis of the use of such time and space for such activities.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after the
completion of the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller
General shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a report on the results of the
study.
SEC. 11. ACCOUNTABILITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INSPECTOR
GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, as
amended by section 8, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``Sec. 727. Accountability of Secretary to Inspector General
``(a) Submission of Reports.--(1) At the same time as the Inspector
General of the Department submits to the Secretary a covered report,
the Inspector General shall submit to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such
covered report.
``(2) The Inspector General shall include in each covered report
submitted under paragraph (1)--
``(A) an explanation of any changes to the covered report
recommended by the Secretary during the period in which the
Inspector General was preparing the covered report; and
``(B) a list of the names of each responsible manager.
``(3) The Inspector General may not make public the names of
responsible managers submitted under paragraph (2)(B).
``(b) Performance of Responsible Managers.--(1) The Secretary
shall--
``(A) promptly notify each responsible manager of a covered
issue by not later than seven days after the date on which the
Inspector General submits a covered report to the Secretary;
``(B) direct such manager to resolve such issue; and
``(C) provide such manager with appropriate counseling and
a mitigation plan with respect to resolving such issue.
``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that any performance review of a
responsible manager includes an evaluation of whether the manager took
appropriate actions during the period covered by the review to respond
to a covered issue.
``(3) The Secretary may not pay to a responsible manager any bonus
or award under chapter 45 or 53 of title 5 or any other bonus or award
authorized under such title or this title if a covered issue is
unresolved.
``(c) Role of Inspector General.--Any authority of the Inspector
General provided under this section is in addition to any
responsibility or authority provided to the Inspector General in the
Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `covered issue' means, with respect to a
responsible manager, an issue described in a covered report for
which the manager is or was responsible.
``(2) The term `covered report' means a report by the
Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs that
recommends actions to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (or
other official or employee of the Department) to address an
issue in the Department with respect to public health or safety
relating to misconduct, or alleged misconduct, by an employee
of the Department.
``(3) The term `responsible manager' means an individual
who--
``(A) is an employee of the Department;
``(B) is or was responsible for an issue included
in a covered report; and
``(C) in being so responsible, is or was employed
in a management position, regardless of whether the
employee is in the competitive civil service, Senior
Executive Service, or other type of civil service.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter, as amended by section 8, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 725 the following new item:
``727. Accountability of Secretary to Inspector General.''.
Passed the House of Representatives July 29, 2015.
Attest:
KAREN L. HAAS,
Clerk.