II 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3481 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 2, 2012 Mrs. McCaskill (for herself and Ms. Ayotte) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To appropriately limit the authority to award bonuses to employees and to require approval of high cost Government conferences and reporting regarding Government conferences.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Stop Wasteful Federal Bonuses and Conferences Act of 2012.

2.

Bonuses

(a)

Adverse findings and employees under investigation

Chapter 45 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: IV

Limitations on bonus authority

4531.

Certain forms of misconduct

(a)

Definitions

In this section— (1)the term adverse finding relating to a employee means a determination that the conduct of the employee resulted in fraud, waste, abuse, or a violation of contracting requirements; (2)the term agency has the meaning given that term under section 551; and (3)the term bonus means any bonus or cash award, including— (A)an award under this chapter; (B)an award under section 5384; and (C)a retention bonus under section 5754. (b)

Adverse findings

(1)

In general

The head of an agency shall not award a bonus to an employee of the agency until 2 years after the end of the fiscal year in which the Inspector General of the agency or the Comptroller General of the United States makes an adverse finding relating to the employee. (2)

Previously awarded bonuses

If the Inspector General of an agency or the Comptroller General of the United States makes an adverse finding relating to an employee, the head of the agency employing the employee, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, may issue an order directing the employee to repay the amount of any bonus awarded to the employee during the year during which the adverse finding is made.

. (b)

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. .

3.

Government conferences

(a)

Definitions

In this section— (1)the term agency has the meaning given that term under section 551 of title 5, United States Code; (2)the term conference means a meeting that— (A)is held for consultation, education, or discussion; (B)is not held entirely at an agency facility; (C)involves costs associated with travel and lodging for some participants; and (D)is sponsored by 1 or more agencies, 1 or more organizations that are not agencies, or a combination of such agencies or organizations; and (3)the term employee means an employee of an agency. (b)

High-Cost conferences

(1)

In general

An agency may not sponsor a conference the total cost to the Government of which is expected to be more than $200,000 without the approval of the head of the agency. (2)

Limitation on delegation

The head of an agency may only delegate the authority under this subsection to the Chief Management Officer of the agency or, for an agency that does not have a Chief Management Officer, an employee of the agency in an equivalent position. (c)

Conference reporting

(1)

In general

The head of an agency shall submit to each committee of Congress with jurisdiction of the activities of the agency a report regarding each conference sponsored by the agency. (2)

Contents

Each report submitted by the head of an agency under paragraph (1) shall provide detailed information about the conference, including— (A)the location of the conference; (B)number of employees attending the conference; (C)a list of the titles of the employees attending the conference; (D)the total cost to the Government of the conference; and (E)a breakdown of the cost to the Government relating to the conference for— (i)scouting for and selecting the location of the conference; (ii)travel; (iii)lodging; (iv)food; (v)speakers or entertainment; and (vi)gifts provided to conference attendees.