[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2786 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2786
To expand the opportunities of recent graduates for employment in
Executive agencies, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 11, 2025
Mr. Kim introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To expand the opportunities of recent graduates for employment in
Executive agencies, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Pipeline to
Service Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--EXPANSION OF OPPORTUNITIES
Sec. 101. Expanding opportunities for Federal employment.
TITLE II--PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT FELLOWS PROGRAM
Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Definitions.
Sec. 203. Program establishment and administration.
Sec. 204. Announcement, eligibility, and selection.
Sec. 205. Appointment and extension.
Sec. 206. Development, evaluation, promotion, and certification.
Sec. 207. Movement between agencies.
Sec. 208. Withdrawal and readmission.
Sec. 209. Removal and reduction in force.
Sec. 210. Conversion to the competitive service.
Sec. 211. Federal Executive Boards.
Sec. 212. Reports.
TITLE I--EXPANSION OF OPPORTUNITIES
SEC. 101. EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT IN EXECUTIVE AGENCIES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Education and Workforce of the
House of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform of the House of Representatives.
(2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management.
(3) Executive agency.--The term ``Executive agency'' has
the meaning given the term in section 105 of title 5, United
States Code.
(4) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(5) Junior or community college.--The term ``junior or
community college'' has the meaning given the term in section
312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f)).
(6) Land-grant colleges and universities.--The term ``land-
grant colleges and universities'' has the meaning given the
term in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103).
(7) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
serving institution'' means an institution described in section
371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1067q(a)).
(8) Pathways program.--The term ``Pathways Program'' means
the program established under part 362 of title 5, Code of
Federal Regulations, or any successor regulations.
(b) OPM Program To Recruit Students for Employment With Executive
Agencies.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish a program
under which the Office of Personnel Management shall enter into
partnerships with institutions of higher education to recruit
and appoint students to positions in Executive agencies.
(2) Contents.--The program established under paragraph (1)
shall be in such form and manner as the Director may prescribe,
but, at a minimum, shall--
(A) advise students on courses of study to prepare
for careers at Executive agencies;
(B) provide professional development workshops to
students;
(C) assist students in searching for positions in
Executive agencies on the USAJobs.gov website;
(D) provide training to students on preparing
resumes for applying to positions in Executive
agencies;
(E) make an effort to recruit students from
communities that are historically under-represented in
Federal employment, as determined by the Director; and
(F) provide training to students on how to be
competitive when applying for positions in Executive
agencies and the Pathways Program.
(3) Coordination.--The Director shall coordinate with the
heads of Executive agencies in carrying out the program
established under paragraph (1), including by engaging in cost
sharing with Executive agencies and in establishing Executive
agency-specific partnerships with appropriate institutions of
higher education.
(4) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which
the Director establishes the program required under paragraph
(1), and annually thereafter, the Director shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report regarding the
program, each of which shall include, at a minimum, the
following for the period covered by the report:
(A) A description of the positions in which
students were placed.
(B) The institutions of higher education from which
students were recruited.
(C) The geographic location of positions in which
students were placed.
(5) Authorization of appropriations.--
(A) In general.--There is authorized to be
appropriated, for each of fiscal years 2026 through
2030, $15,000,000 to carry out this subsection.
(B) Requirement.--Of the amount appropriated to
carry out this subsection for any fiscal year, not less
than 30 percent of that amount shall be used for
recruiting and appointing students from minority-
serving institutions, junior or community colleges, and
land-grant colleges and universities.
(c) Intern Hourly Pay Rate.--
(1) In general.--Any individual who is an intern in an
Executive agency, including each intern in a Federal internship
program described in section 3111a of title 5, United States
Code, shall be paid a stipend of, at a minimum, $15 for each
hour that the individual is working as such an intern.
(2) Adjustment.--
(A) In general.--Effective January 30 of each year
that begins after the date of enactment of this Act,
the minimum hourly rate of pay under paragraph (1)
shall be adjusted by the percent change in the price
index on January 1 of such year over the price index on
January 1 of the preceding year.
(B) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term
``price index'' means the Consumer Price Index (all
items--United States city average) published monthly by
the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
(d) OPM Publication.--
(1) In general.--Not later than January 30, 2026, and
annually thereafter, the Director shall publish, on the public
website of the Office of Personnel Management, demographic
information on interns in Executive agencies, individuals
participating in the Pathways Program, and students
participating in the program established under subsection (b).
(2) Requirements.--Information required under paragraph (1)
shall include, with respect to each individual described in
that paragraph, at a minimum, and to the extent applicable,
demographic information regarding the race and age of the
individual, the type of position occupied by the individual,
where the position occupied by the individual is located in the
civil service, and the number of hours worked by the
individual.
(3) Limitation.--The Director may not publish any
information under this subsection that reveals the personally
identifiable information of any individual.
(e) Conversion of Interns.--Any intern in an Executive agency who
is not participating in the Pathways Program may, subject to such
regulations as the Director may prescribe, be eligible for
noncompetitive conversion to the competitive service in the same
manner, to the greatest extent practicable, as Pathways Program
participants under section 362.107 of title 5, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor regulation.
(f) Budgetary Effects.--The budgetary effects of this title, for
the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010,
shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled
``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for
printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House
Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior
to the vote on passage.
TITLE II--PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT FELLOWS PROGRAM
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Training Aspiring Leaders Emerging
Now To Serve Act'' or the ``TALENTS Act''.
SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Advanced degree; qualifying educational institution.--
(A) In general.--The terms ``advanced degree'' and
``qualifying educational institution'' have the
meanings given those terms in section 362.102 of title
5, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation.
(B) Determination by director.--The Director may
determine whether a master's certificate qualifies as
an advanced degree for the purposes of the Program.
(2) Agency.--The term ``agency''--
(A) has the meaning given the term ``Executive
agency'' in section 105 of title 5, United States Code;
and
(B) includes the Government Publishing Office.
(3) Agency pmf coordinator.--The term ``agency PMF
Coordinator'' means an individual, at the appropriate component
level of an agency, who--
(A) coordinates the placement, development, and
other Program-related activities of Fellows appointed
in the agency; and
(B) satisfies the criteria described in section
362.104(a)(8) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations,
or any successor regulation.
(4) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management.
(5) Executive resources board.--The term ``Executive
Resources Board''--
(A) means an Executive Resources Board described in
section 317.501(a) of title 5, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor regulation; and
(B) with respect to an agency that is not required
to have an Executive Resources Board pursuant to
section 317.501(a) of title 5, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor regulation, means the
senior agency official to whom the head of the agency
has given responsibility for executive resources
management and oversight.
(6) Federal executive board.--The term ``Federal Executive
Board'' means a Federal Executive Board established under
section 211.
(7) Fellow.--The term ``Fellow'' means an individual
appointed to serve as a Fellow under the Program.
(8) Metropolitan area.--The term ``metropolitan area''
means a geographic zone surrounding a major city, as defined
and delimited from time to time by the Director.
(9) Principal area officer.--
(A) In general.--The term ``principal area
officer'' means, with respect to an agency, the senior
official of the agency who is located in a metropolitan
area and who has no superior official within that
metropolitan area other than in the regional office of
the agency.
(B) Multiple bureaus.--If an agency maintains
facilities of more than 1 bureau or other subdivision
within a metropolitan area, and the heads of those
facilities are in separate chains of command within the
agency, the agency may have more than 1 principal area
officer.
(10) Principal regional officer.--The term ``principal
regional officer'' means, with respect to an agency, the senior
official in a regional office of the agency.
(11) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the Presidential
Management Fellows Program established under this title.
(12) Special representative.--The term ``special
representative'' means, with respect to an agency, an official
who is--
(A) not subject to the supervision of a principal
regional officer or a principal area officer; and
(B) specifically designated by the head of the
agency to serve as the personal representative of the
head of the agency.
SEC. 203. PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the Presidential
Management Fellows Program, the purpose of which is to attract to the
Federal service outstanding individuals from a variety of academic
disciplines and career paths who have a clear interest in, and
commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public
policies and programs.
(b) Director Responsibilities.--
(1) Number of fellows.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Director shall determine the number of individuals who
will be finalists to be appointed as Fellows during any
given fiscal year, which shall be based on input from
the Chief Human Capital Officers Council and from
agencies not represented on that Council.
(B) Increase in positions during fiscal years 2026
through 2031.--During each of fiscal years 2026 through
2031, the Director shall ensure that the number of
positions for Fellows under the Program during the
applicable fiscal year is equal to 200 percent of the
number of positions for Fellows under the Program in
the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which this
Act is enacted, as the Program was carried out under
subpart D of part 362 of title 5, Code of Federal
Regulations, as in effect during that fiscal year.
(2) Establishment of qualifications.--The Director shall
establish the qualification requirements for evaluating
applicants for the Program.
(c) Agency Processes.--
(1) In general.--After the Director makes the determination
under subsection (b)(1)(A) with respect to a fiscal year, an
agency may appoint individuals selected by the Director as
finalists to be Fellows according to the short-, medium-, and
long-term senior leadership and related recruitment,
development, and succession requirements of the agency.
(2) Field locations outside of washington, dc.--An agency
that appoints a Fellow to a position in a field location
outside of the Washington, DC metropolitan area may--
(A) before making the appointment, discuss whether
the candidate would like to do a developmental rotation
to the headquarters of the agency and, if so, make a
commitment to allow and fund such a rotation, to the
maximum extent practicable, in accordance with section
206(b); and
(B) promote interaction among regional Fellows with
the agency Federal Executive Board and permit that
Fellow to attend activities sanctioned by that Federal
Executive Board in that region.
SEC. 204. ANNOUNCEMENT, ELIGIBILITY, AND SELECTION.
(a) Announcement.--The Director shall annually announce the ability
to apply for the Program and conduct a competition for the selection of
finalists, as set forth in this section.
(b) Eligibility.--
(1) Application period.--To apply for participation in the
Program, an individual shall--
(A) have obtained an advanced degree from a
qualifying educational institution not more than 2
years before the date on which the Director makes the
applicable announcement under subsection (a); or
(B) if the individual is attending a graduate or
professional school (such as law school or medical
school), as of the date on which the individual
applies, expect to complete an advanced degree
described in subparagraph (A) not later than August 31
of the academic year in which the competition is held.
(2) Service as fellow.--An individual may not serve as a
Fellow unless the individual has, not more than 2 years before
the date on which the individual begins serving as a Fellow,
completed an advanced degree from a qualifying educational
institution.
(3) Multiple applications.--An individual may apply to
participate in the Program more than once if the individual
satisfies the applicable eligibility criteria, except that, if
an individual becomes a finalist and subsequently applies to
participate in the Program during the next open announcement,
the individual shall forfeit that status of the individual as a
finalist.
(c) Selection.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall select Fellow finalists
based on the results of a rigorous structured assessment
process, which shall allow the Director to grant a preference
for any individual who is preference eligible, as defined in
section 2108 of title 5, United States Code, in accordance with
the provisions of that title.
(2) Publication of list.--The Director shall publish and
provide to agencies a list of Fellow finalists.
SEC. 205. APPOINTMENT AND EXTENSION.
(a) Appointments.--
(1) In general.--An agency--
(A) may, subject to subsection (b), make 2-year
appointments to the Program under Schedule D of the
excepted service in accordance with part 302 of title
5, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulations; and
(B) shall appoint a Fellow using the excepted
service appointing authority provided under section
213.3402(c) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, or
any successor regulation.
(2) Eligibility period.--The Director shall establish an
eligibility period during which agencies may appoint Fellow
finalists.
(b) Extensions.--In accordance with criteria established by an
agency, the agency may extend the term of a Fellow for not more than
120 days to cover a rare or unusual circumstance.
(c) Grade.--An agency may appoint a Fellow at the GS-09, GS-11, or
GS-12 level (or any equivalent under a pay and classification system
other than the General Schedule, such as the Federal Wage System)
depending on the qualifications of the Fellow.
(d) Trial Period.--The duration of the appointment of a Fellow in
the excepted service shall be considered to be a trial period, but not
a probationary period.
(e) Work Schedules.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the other provisions of this
subsection, a Fellow shall have a full-time work schedule.
(2) Part-time schedules.--
(A) In general.--A Fellow may request a part-time
work schedule for a limited period of not more than 180
days, which the agency may approve if--
(i) the agency and the Fellow have
determined that such approval would not
negatively impact the ability of the Fellow to
meet all Program requirements by the end of the
appointment of the Fellow; and
(ii) the agency includes an approval of a
specific time period during which the part-time
work schedule applies that the agency
determines to be appropriate.
(B) Updating of agreement.--The Program agreement
of a Fellow shall be updated with the new work schedule
of the Fellow upon the approval of any part-time
schedule under subparagraph (A).
(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this
paragraph may be construed to entitle a Fellow to the
approval of a request for a part-time work schedule.
(f) Relationship to Direct-Hire Authority.--Notwithstanding any
provision of section 3115 or 3116 of title 5, United States Code, an
appointment by an agency under the Program shall be considered to be an
appointment made using the authority provided to the agency under the
applicable section.
SEC. 206. DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION, PROMOTION, AND CERTIFICATION.
(a) Individual Development Plans.--Not later than 90 days after the
date on which the Program begins in a fiscal year, the head of each
agency shall approve an Individual Development Plan (referred to in
this section as an ``IDP'') for each Fellow serving under an
appointment within the agency, which shall--
(1) set forth the specific developmental activities that
are mutually agreed upon by the Fellow and the supervisor of
the Fellow; and
(2) be developed in consultation with--
(A) the supervisor of the Fellow; and
(B)(i) the agency PMF Coordinator; or
(ii) the mentor assigned to the Fellow, who shall
not be required to be assigned by the agency.
(b) Required Developmental Activities.--
(1) General resources.--
(A) OPM responsibilities.--The Director shall
provide, for each class or cohort of Fellows--
(i) leadership development activities and
general Program resources; and
(ii) information on available training
opportunities known to the Director.
(B) Agency responsibilities.--Each agency shall
provide to each class or cohort of Fellows appropriate
agency-specific onboarding and employee orientation
activities.
(2) Agency training.--
(A) In general.--Each agency shall provide each
Fellow serving under an appointment within the agency
not fewer than 80 hours of formal interactive training
per year that addresses the competencies outlined in
the applicable IDP.
(B) Certain training not included.--Mandatory
annual training, such as information security and
ethics training, shall not count toward the
satisfaction of the requirement under subparagraph (A).
(3) Mentors.--Not later than 90 days after the start of an
appointment of a Fellow, the applicable agency shall assign the
Fellow a mentor, who shall be a managerial employee of the
agency outside the chain of command of the Fellow.
(4) Assignments.--An agency shall provide each Fellow
serving under an appointment within the agency with not less
than 1 rotational or developmental assignment with full-time
management or technical responsibilities that is consistent
with the IDP of the Fellow and the following:
(A) Each Fellow shall receive not less than 1
developmental assignment that is not shorter than 120
days and not longer than 180 days, which shall have
management or technical responsibilities consistent
with the IDP of the Fellow.
(B)(i) The developmental assignment described in
subparagraph (A) may be within the organization of the
Fellow, in another component of the employing agency,
or in another agency, as permitted by the employing
agency.
(ii) Each assignment described in this subparagraph
shall be in a different work unit led by a supervisor
other than the usual supervisor of the Fellow.
(C)(i) Each developmental assignment described in
subparagraph (A) shall provide a challenging work
experience of a caliber appropriate for a participant
in the flagship leadership development program of the
Federal Government.
(ii) For the purposes of clause (i), an appropriate
developmental assignment may include a project
implementing a new executive order or major piece of
legislation, agency reorganization, or cross-agency
collaboration on a major initiative.
(5) Short-term assignments.--In addition to the assignments
described in paragraph (4), a Fellow may receive another short-
term rotational assignment, which--
(A) shall be not shorter than 30 days and not
longer than 180 days, at the discretion of the
employing agency; and
(B) may take place within the organization of the
Fellow, in another component of the employing agency,
or in another agency, as permitted by the employing
agency.
(6) Assessment of subsequent classes.--
(A) In general.--Upon the request of the Director,
the employing agency shall make a Fellow available to
assist in the assessment process for subsequent Program
classes.
(B) Satisfaction of training requirements.--Any
interactive training provided to a Fellow in connection
with assisting the Director under subparagraph (A) may
be counted toward the training requirement under
paragraph (2).
(c) Promotion.--
(1) In general.--An employing agency may promote any Fellow
who meets the qualification requirements for the applicable
position.
(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1) may be
construed to confer any entitlement to a promotion.
(d) Certificate of Completion.--
(1) In general.--
(A) ERB evaluation.--Not later than 45 days before
the date on which the Program ends in a fiscal year,
each Executive Resources Board shall evaluate each
Fellow serving under an appointment within the
applicable agency and determine whether the Executive
Resources Board can certify in writing that the Fellow
met all of the requirements of the Program, including
the performance and developmental expectations set
forth in the performance plan and IDP of the Fellow.
(B) Consultation permitted.--In carrying out
subparagraph (A), an Executive Resources Board may
consult with the mentor of a Fellow.
(2) Successful completion.--
(A) Notification.--Not later than 30 days before
the date on which a Fellow completes the Program, an
Executive Resources Board shall notify each Fellow
serving under an appointment within the applicable
agency regarding the decision of the Board with respect
to certification of successful completion of the
Program by the Fellow.
(B) Conversion eligibility.--A Fellow who the
applicable Executive Resources Board certifies as
having met all of the requirements of the Program shall
be eligible for conversion in accordance with section
210.
(C) Forwarding to opm.--Each Executive Resources
Board shall forward to the Director all certifications
of the Board under this paragraph.
(3) Failure to certify.--
(A) In general.--If an Executive Resources Board
decides not to certify a Fellow under this subsection,
the Fellow may request reconsideration of that
determination by the Director, if the Fellow, not later
than 15 days after the date on which the Board makes
that decision, submits the request in writing with
appropriate documentation and justification.
(B) Continuation in program.--With respect to a
Fellow who has submitted a request for reconsideration
under subparagraph (A)--
(i) the Fellow may continue in the Program
pending the outcome of that request; and
(ii) the applicable agency shall continue
to provide appropriate developmental activities
to the Fellow during the period in which that
request is pending.
(C) Ineligibility.--A Fellow who is not approved
for certification under this subsection and who has not
submitted a timely request for reconsideration under
subparagraph (A), or whose request for reconsideration
under that subparagraph (A) has been denied, shall not
be eligible for conversion under section 210.
SEC. 207. MOVEMENT BETWEEN AGENCIES.
(a) In General.--At any time during the appointment of a Fellow,
the Fellow may move to another agency, if--
(1) the receiving agency meets all the requirements for
participating in the Program;
(2) the original agency releases the appointment of the
Fellow to the receiving agency; and
(3) the new employing agency appoints the Fellow without a
break in service.
(b) Terms of Service.--Upon appointment by a new employing agency
under subsection (a)(3)--
(1) the Fellow shall not begin a new Program period; and
(2) because there is no break in service, the time served
by the Fellow under the previous Program appointment shall
apply towards the completion of the Program with the new
employing agency.
(c) Notification Required.--An agency shall notify the Director
upon making an appointment described in subsection (a)(3).
(d) Reimbursements.--If a move under this section occurs during the
first 180 days of the appointment of a Fellow, the initial employing
agency may request from the new appointing agency reimbursement of \1/
4\ of the placement fee with respect to the Fellow.
SEC. 208. WITHDRAWAL AND READMISSION.
(a) Withdrawal.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Treatment of withdrawal.--A Fellow may withdraw
from the Program at any time, which shall be treated as
a resignation from the Federal service, except that any
obligations established upon appointment, such as from
accepting a recruitment incentive under part 575 of
title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulations, shall still apply.
(B) Notification.--An agency shall notify the
Director when a Fellow within the agency withdraws from
the Program.
(2) Competitive service.--
(A) In general.--A Fellow who held a permanent
appointment in the competitive service in an agency
immediately before entering the Program, and who
withdraws from the Program for a reason that is not
related to misconduct, poor performance, or
suitability, may, at the discretion of the employing
agency, be placed in a permanent competitive service
position, as appropriate, in that agency.
(B) Not subject to appeal.--The determination of an
agency under subparagraph (A) shall not be subject to
appeal.
(b) Readmission.--
(1) No readmission.--If a Fellow withdraws from the Program
for a reason that relates to misconduct, poor performance, or
suitability, as determined by the employing agency, the
individual may not be readmitted to the Program at any time.
(2) Petition.--
(A) In general.--If a Fellow withdraws from the
Program for a reason that is not related to misconduct,
poor performance, or suitability, the individual may
petition the original employing agency for readmission
and reappointment to the Program.
(B) Requirements.--A petition submitted under
subparagraph (A) shall be in writing and include the
appropriate justification for the requested readmission
and reappointment, and the applicable agency may
approve or deny the request.
(C) Submission to opm.--If, under subparagraph (B),
an agency approves a petition submitted under
subparagraph (A), the agency shall submit that approved
petition to the Director, which shall include the
status of the applicable individual in the Program upon
readmission and reappointment.
(D) OPM discretion.--The Director, upon receipt of
an approved petition under subparagraph (C), may
overrule the decision of the agency submitting that
approved petition, and that decision of the Director
shall not be subject to appeal.
SEC. 209. REMOVAL AND REDUCTION IN FORCE.
(a) Removal.--
(1) In general.--An agency may remove a Fellow for a reason
related to misconduct, poor performance, or suitability, upon
which the agency shall submit to the Director written
notification of the removal.
(2) End of term.--
(A) In general.--As a condition of employment, the
appointment of a Fellow shall end at the end of the 2-
year Program period, plus any agency-approved extension
of the appointment of the Fellow under section 205(b),
unless the Fellow is converted under section 210.
(B) Failure to convert.--If an agency does not
convert a Fellow at the end of the Program, as provided
in section 210, or extend the appointment of the Fellow
under section 205(b), the appointment of the Fellow
shall expire on the date that is 30 days after the date
on which, as applicable--
(i) the certification for Program
completion is denied under section 206(d)(3);
or
(ii) the Director denies a request
submitted by an agency for an extension of the
appointment.
(b) Reduction in Force.--Each Fellow shall be in the excepted
service group II for purposes of section 351.502 of title 5, Code of
Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
SEC. 210. CONVERSION TO THE COMPETITIVE SERVICE.
(a) In General.--A Fellow shall complete the Program within the
time limits established under section 205, including any agency-
approved extension under that section, after which the Fellow may be
converted under subsection (b).
(b) Conversion.--An agency may convert, without a break in service,
a Fellow who has been successfully certified under section 206(d)(2) to
a term or permanent position in the competitive service for which the
Fellow is qualified.
(c) Conversion at A Different Agency.--A Fellow may be converted
under subsection (b) to a position at a different agency if the
following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The original employing agency is unable to convert the
Fellow to a position in the competitive service in the
organizational unit of the agency in which the Fellow has
served or another component within the agency--
(A) including because of unforeseen budget
constraints, a reorganization, the abolishment of
positions, or any other appropriate reason; and
(B) which is not because of the failure of the
Fellow to obtain a certification under section
206(d)(2) or because of the misconduct, poor
performance, or suitability of the Fellow.
(2) The conversion shall occur before the end of the
Program period, as established under section 205, plus any
agency-approved extension under that section.
(3) The position at the new agency shall have a full
performance level that is equivalent to, or less than, the
position to which the Fellow would have been converted at the
original employing agency.
SEC. 211. FEDERAL EXECUTIVE BOARDS.
(a) Authority and Status.--There are established Federal Executive
Boards--
(1) to strengthen the management and administration of
executive branch activities in selected centers of field
operations; and
(2) which are organized and function under the authority of
the Director.
(b) Locations.--
(1) In general.--Federal Executive Boards are established,
or shall continue, as applicable, in the following metropolitan
areas:
(A) Albuquerque-Santa Fe.
(B) Atlanta.
(C) Baltimore.
(D) Boston.
(E) Buffalo.
(F) Chicago.
(G) Cincinnati.
(H) Cleveland.
(I) Dallas-Fort Worth.
(J) Denver.
(K) Detroit.
(L) Honolulu.
(M) Houston.
(N) Kansas City.
(O) Los Angeles.
(P) Miami.
(Q) Minneapolis-St. Paul.
(R) New Orleans.
(S) New York.
(T) Newark.
(U) Philadelphia.
(V) Pittsburgh.
(W) Portland.
(X) St. Louis.
(Y) San Francisco.
(Z) Seattle.
(2) Action by director.--The Director may dissolve, merge,
or divide any of the Federal Executive Boards described in
paragraph (1), or establish new Federal Executive Boards, as
the Director determines to be necessary, proper, or convenient.
(c) Membership.--
(1) Presidential directive.--The President shall direct the
head of each agency to arrange for the leading officials of the
field activities of the agency to participate personally in the
work of Federal Executive Boards.
(2) Members.--
(A) In general.--The head of each agency shall
designate--
(i) by title of office, the principal
regional officer, if any, and the principal
area officer, if any, who shall represent the
agency on each Federal Executive Board; and
(ii) by name and title of office, the
special representative, if any, who shall
represent the head of the agency on each
Federal Executive Board.
(B) Designations.--A designation made under
subparagraph (A)--
(i) shall be made in writing and
transmitted to the Director;
(ii) may be transmitted through the Chair
of a Federal Executive Board; and
(iii) may be amended at any time by the
head of the applicable agency.
(3) Alternate members.--
(A) In general.--Each member of a Federal Executive
Board may designate any alternate member, who shall
attend meetings and otherwise serve in the absence of
the member.
(B) Status.--An alternate member shall be the
deputy or principal assistant to the member or another
senior official of the organization of the member.
(d) Officers and Organization.--
(1) Bylaws.--
(A) In general.--Each Federal Executive Board shall
adopt bylaws or other rules for the internal governance
of the Board, subject to the approval of the Director.
(B) Contents.--The bylaws described in subparagraph
(A), and other rules of a Federal Executive Board, may
reflect the particular needs, resources, and customs of
the Board, if those bylaws and rules are not
inconsistent with this section or the directives of the
President or the Director.
(C) Conflicts.--If bylaws or rules described in
subparagraph (B) conflict with this section or the
directives of the President or the Director, those
bylaws or rules, as applicable, shall have no force or
effect.
(2) Chair.--Each Federal Executive Board shall have a
Chair, who shall be elected by the members of the Board and who
shall serve for a term of office of not more than 1 year.
(3) Staff.--
(A) In general.--As the members of a Federal
Executive Board determine necessary and proper, those
members shall designate personnel from the respective
organizations of the members to serve as the staff, or
otherwise to participate in, the activities of the
Board.
(B) Other staff.--Additional personnel beyond the
personnel described in subparagraph (A) may be engaged,
by appointment, contract, or otherwise, only with the
approval of the Director.
(4) Termination.--
(A) In general.--Unless otherwise expressly
provided by law, by directive of the President or the
Director, or by the bylaws of the applicable Federal
Executive Board, each committee, subcommittee, council,
and other subunit of the Board, and each affiliation of
the Board with external organizations, shall terminate
upon expiration of the term of office of the Chair of
the Board.
(B) Reestablishment.--A committee, subcommittee,
council, other subunit, or affiliation of a Federal
Executive Board may be reestablished or renewed by
affirmative action of the Board.
(5) Board actions.--
(A) In general.--A Federal Executive Board may take
an action only with the approval of a majority of the
members of the Board.
(B) No delegation permitted.--The authority under
subparagraph (A) may not be delegated.
(C) Conformance with law.--Each activity of a
Federal Executive Board shall conform to applicable
laws and reflect prudent uses of official time and
funds.
(e) OPM Leadership.--
(1) Role of director.--The Director--
(A) shall be responsible to the President for the
organizational and programmatic activities of the
Federal Executive Boards;
(B) direct and oversee the activities of the
Federal Executive Boards consistent with law and the
directives of the President; and
(C) may consult with, and require the advice of,
the Chair, members, or staff of a Federal Executive
Board.
(2) Role of regional representatives.--The Chair of each
Federal Executive Board shall report to the Director through
the regional representative of the Director and the regional
representative of the Director shall oversee the activities of,
and periodically visit and meet with, the Federal Executive
Boards.
(3) Communications.--
(A) In general.--The Director shall maintain
channels of communication--
(i) from the Director through the regional
representatives of the Director to the Chairs
of the Federal Executive Boards; and
(ii) between and among the Federal
Executive Boards through the Director and the
regional representatives of the Director.
(B) Use of channels.--Any agency may use the
channels described in subparagraph (A) to communicate
with the Director and with the Federal Executive
Boards.
(C) Communications by chairs.--The Chair of a
Federal Executive Board may communicate with the
Director on recommendations for action at the national
level, on significant management problems that cannot
be addressed at the local level, and on other matters
of interest to the executive branch.
(4) Reports.--
(A) In general.--Each Federal Executive Board shall
transmit to the Director, over the signature of the
Chair of the Board, an annual work plan and an annual
report to the Director on the significant programs and
activities of the Board in each fiscal year, which
shall--
(i) with respect to each such work plan--
(I) set forth the proposed general
agenda for the succeeding fiscal year;
(II) be submitted on or before July
1; and
(III) be subject to the approval of
the Director; and
(ii) with respect to each such annual
report--
(I) describe and evaluate the
activities of the preceding fiscal
year; and
(II) be submitted on or before
January 1.
(B) Other reports.--In addition to the requirements
under subparagraph (A), members of each Federal
Executive Board shall keep the headquarters of the
respective agency informed of the activities of the
Board by timely reports through appropriate agency
channels.
(5) Conferences.--The Director may convene regional and
national conferences of the Chairs and other representatives of
Federal Executive Boards.
(f) Authorized Activities.--
(1) In general.--Each Federal Executive Board shall--
(A) serve as an instrument of outreach for the
national headquarters of the executive branch to
executive branch activities in the applicable
metropolitan area;
(B) consider common management and program problems
and develop cooperative agreements that will promote
the general objectives of the Federal Government and of
the several agencies in the applicable metropolitan
area, which shall be made with the guidance and
approval of the Director, within the range of the
delegated authority and discretion held by members,
alternates, and staff in that area, consistent with the
missions of the agencies involved;
(C) provide a forum for the exchange of information
between Washington, DC and the field, and among field
elements in the applicable metropolitan area, about
programs, management methods, and problems;
(D) develop local coordinated approaches to the
development and operation of programs that have common
characteristics;
(E) communicate management initiatives and other
concerns from Washington, DC to the field to achieve
better mutual understanding and support;
(F) refer problems that cannot be solved locally to
the national level; and
(G) subject to the guidance of the Director, be
responsible for--
(i) presidential initiatives on management
reforms;
(ii) personnel initiatives of the Office of
Personnel Management;
(iii) programs led by the Office of
Management and Budget;
(iv) facilities planning led by the General
Services Administration;
(v) the local Combined Federal Campaign,
under the direction of the Director;
(vi) the sharing of technical knowledge and
resources in finance, internal auditing,
personnel management, automated data processing
applications, interagency use of computer
installations, and similar commonly beneficial
activities;
(vii) the pooling of resources to provide,
as efficiently as possible, and at the least
possible cost to the taxpayers of the United
States, common services, such as employee
first-aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(referred to in this clause as ``CPR''), CPR
training, preventative health programs,
assistance to the aging, blood donor programs,
and savings bond drives;
(viii) the encouragement of employee
initiative and better performance through
special recognition and other incentive
programs;
(ix) the provision of assistance in the
implementation and upgrading of performance
management systems;
(x) emergency operations, such as under
hazardous weather conditions, responding to
blood donation needs, and communicating related
leave policies;
(xi) the recognition of the service of
veterans and the dissemination of information
relating to programs and benefits available to
veterans in the Federal service; and
(xii) such other programs, projects, and
operations as may be set forth in the annual
work plan approved by the Director.
(2) Advisory role.--The Director--
(A) shall advise the Federal Executive Boards on
activities in the areas of performance appraisal and
incentives, interagency training programs, the
educational development of employees of agencies,
improvement of labor-management relations, equal
employment opportunity (including related programs of
the Federal Government), and selective placement
programs for handicapped individuals; and
(B) may direct a Federal Executive Board to address
such specific programs, or undertake such cooperative
activities, as the Director determines necessary or
proper.
(g) Additional Rules and Directives.--The Director may issue
further rules and guidance for, and directives to, the Federal
Executive Boards.
SEC. 212. REPORTS.
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and
not less frequently than once every 3 years thereafter, the Director
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform of the House of Representatives a report that addresses the
Program, which shall include an analysis of any structural challenges
facing the Program and recommendations on measures to strengthen the
Program.
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