United States 115th Congress Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 2 R · 1 D cosponsors

S 696 — Stop Improper Federal Bonuses Act

Last action — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 167.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Stop Improper Federal Bonuses Act This bill prohibits a federal agency from awarding a bonus to any employee for five years after the end of a fiscal year in which the agency makes an adverse finding relating to the employee. An "adverse finding" is a determination that an employee's conduct violated: (1) a policy of the agency for which the employee may be removed or suspended for at least 14 days, or (2) a law for which the employee may be imprisoned for more than one year. The bill requires an agency to issue an order directing an employee to repay a bonus awarded in any year in which an adverse finding is made. As a condition of receiving a bonus awarded after this bill's enactment, an employee must certify that he or she will repay the bonus in accordance with such an order.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

21 added · 9 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to the bill S 696 changes the repayment process for employees required to repay a bonus. Now, an agency must allow the employee to use a repayment plan for this amount. Additionally, it clarifies that hearings related to repayment will follow the agency's existing regulations under chapter 75. This matters because it provides employees with an option for repaying their bonuses, which may ease the financial burden of the repayment.

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696 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
696 Reported in Senate (RS)] <DOC> Calendar No.
696 To amend title 5, United States Code, to appropriately limit the authority to award bonuses to Federal employees.
167 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
696 [Report No.
115-127] To amend title 5, United States Code, to appropriately limit the authority to award bonuses to Federal employees.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 5, United States Code, to appropriately limit the authority to award bonuses to Federal employees.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs July 11, 2017 Reported by Mr.
Johnson, with amendments [Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 5, United States Code, to appropriately limit the authority to award bonuses to Federal employees.
``(c) After Bonus Awarded.-- ``(1) In general.--For a bonus awarded to an employee after the date of enactment of this section, if the head of the agency employing the employee makes an adverse finding relating to the employee during the year in which the bonus is awarded, the head of the agency, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, shall issue an order directing the employee to repay the amount of the bonus.
``(c) After Bonus Awarded.-- ``(1) In general.--For a bonus awarded to an employee after the date of enactment of this section, if the head of the agency employing the employee makes an adverse finding relating to the employee during the fiscal year in which the bonus is awarded, the head of the agency, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, shall issue an order directing the employee to repay the amount of the bonus.
``(2) Hearings.--A hearing under this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with regulations relating to hearings promulgated by the head of the agency under chapter 75.
``(2) Repayment plan.--An agency shall allow an employee who is required to repay a bonus under paragraph (1) to repay that bonus using a repayment plan.
`` (2)(3) Hearings.--A hearing under this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with regulations relating to hearings promulgated by the head of the agency under chapter 75.
<all>
Calendar No.
167 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
696 [Report No.
115-127] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title 5, United States Code, to appropriately limit the authority to award bonuses to Federal employees.
_______________________________________________________________________ July 11, 2017 Reported with amendments
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How this bill changes current law

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Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes new rules limiting bonus authority for federal employees based on misconduct findings.

  • 5 U.S.C. § 551

    The term `agency' has the meaning given the term in section 551.

    Defines 'agency' to clarify that it retains the existing legal definition from section 551.

  • Chapter 45 of title 5, United States Code

    Subchapter IV--Limitations on Bonus Authority Sec. 4531. Certain forms of misconduct

    Creates a new subchapter concerning limitations on bonus authority for federal employees.

  • 5 U.S.C. § 4531

    (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Adverse finding.-- (A) In general.--The term `adverse finding' means a determination by the head of the agency employing an employee that the conduct of the employee-- (i) violated a policy of the agency for which the employee may be removed or suspended for a period of not less than 14 days; or (ii) violated a law for which the employee may be imprisoned for more than 1 year.

    Defines 'adverse finding' to specify criteria under which misconduct is evaluated.

  • 5 U.S.C. § 4531

    (b) Prohibition.--The head of an agency may not award a bonus to an employee of the agency until the date that is 5 years after the end of the fiscal year during which the head of an agency makes an adverse finding relating to the employee.

    Prohibits bonus awards to employees with adverse findings for five years.

  • 5 U.S.C. § 4531

    (c) After Bonus Awarded.-- (1) In general.--For a bonus awarded to an employee after the date of enactment of this section, if the head of the agency employing the employee makes an adverse finding relating to the employee during the fiscal year in which the bonus is awarded, the head of the agency, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, shall issue an order directing the employee to repay the amount of the bonus.

    Requires repayment of bonuses if adverse findings are made in the same fiscal year.

  • 5 U.S.C. § 4531

    (d) Condition of Receipt.--As a condition of receiving a bonus awarded after the date of enactment of this section, an employee shall sign a certification stating that the employee shall repay the bonus in accordance with a final order issued under subsection (c).

    Imposes a requirement for employees to acknowledge their repayment obligations for bonuses.

  • 5 U.S.C. § 4531

    (e) Appeal.--An employee determined to be ineligible for a bonus under subsection (b) or against whom an order is issued under subsection (c) may submit an appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board under section 7701.

    Provides employees the right to appeal determinations of ineligibility for bonuses.

  • 5 U.S.C. § 551

    (2) Agency.--The term `agency' has the meaning given the term in section 551.

    Reaffirms the existing definition of 'agency' from section 551.

  • Chapter 45 of title 5, United States Code

    Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 45 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: subchapter iv--limitations on bonus authority 4531. Certain forms of misconduct.

    Updates the table of sections to include the new subchapter regarding bonus limitations.

Action History

  1. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-127.

  2. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-127.

  3. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 167.

  4. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

  5. Introduced in Senate

  6. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 544 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (2)

Not signed on (544)

544 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

What does S 696 do?
Stop Improper Federal Bonuses Act This bill prohibits a federal agency from awarding a bonus to any employee for five years after the end of a fiscal year in which the agency makes an adverse finding relating to the employee. An "adverse finding" is a determination that an employee's conduct violated: (1) a policy of the agency for which the employee may be removed or suspended for at least 14 days, or (2) a law for which the employee may be imprisoned for more than one year. The bill requires an agency to issue an order directing an employee to repay a bonus awarded in any year in which an adverse finding is made. As a condition of receiving a bonus awarded after this bill's enactment, an employee must certify that he or she will repay the bonus in accordance with such an order.
Who sponsors S 696?
S 696 is sponsored by Fischer, Deb (Republican), McCaskill, Claire (Democratic), and Heller, Dean (Republican).
What is the current status of S 696?
This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S 696?
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