[Senate Report 117-252]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                                                     Calendar No. 636
117th Congress     }                                    {      Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session        }                                    {     117-252
_______________________________________________________________________

                                     



                  IMPROVING GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AND 

                     WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH 

                  FEDERAL EXECUTIVE BOARDS ACT OF 2022 

                               __________

                              R E P O R T

                                 of the

                   COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND

                          GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

                          UNITED STATES SENATE

                              to accompany

                                S. 4894

          TO PROVIDE FOR THE PERPETUATION, ADMINISTRATION, AND
      FUNDING OF FEDERAL EXECUTIVE BOARDS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES







[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]








               December 13, 2022.--Ordered to be printed  
               
                             _________
                              
                 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
                 
39-010                   WASHINGTON : 2023
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
        COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

                   GARY C. PETERS, Michigan, Chairman
THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware           ROB PORTMAN, Ohio
MAGGIE HASSAN, New Hampshire         RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin
KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona              RAND PAUL, Kentucky
JACKY ROSEN, Nevada                  JAMES LANKFORD, Oklahoma
ALEX PADILLA, California             MITT ROMNEY, Utah
JON OSSOFF, Georgia                  RICK SCOTT, Florida
                                     JOSH HAWLEY, Missouri

                   David M. Weinberg, Staff Director
                    Zachary I. Schram, Chief Counsel
            Lena C. Chang, Director of Governmental Affairs
              Devin M. Parsons, Professional Staff Member
                    Gauri Verma, Research Assistant
                Pamela Thiessen, Minority Staff Director
            Sam J. Mulopulos, Minority Deputy Staff Director
       Cara G. Mumford, Minority Director of Governmental Affairs
                  Andrew J. Hopkins, Minority Counsel
                     Laura W. Kilbride, Chief Clerk



















                                                     Calendar No. 636
117th Congress     }                                    {      Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session        }                                    {     117-252

======================================================================



 
             IMPROVING GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AND WORKFORCE 
        DEVELOPMENT THROUGH FEDERAL EXECUTIVE BOARDS ACT OF 2022

                                _______
                                

               December 13, 2022.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. Peters, from the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
                    Affairs, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 4894]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs, to which was referred the bill (S. 4894) to provide 
for the perpetuation, administration, and funding of Federal 
Executive Boards, and for other purposes, having considered the 
same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and 
recommends that the bill do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                     Page
  I. Purpose and Summary..............................................  1
 II. Background and Need for the Legislation..........................  2
III. Legislative History..............................................  4
 IV. Section-by-Section Analysis of the Bill, as Reported.............  5
  V. Evaluation of Regulatory Impact..................................  6
 VI. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................  6
VII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............  9

                         I. Purpose And Summary

    S. 4894, the Improving Government Efficiency and Workforce 
Development through Federal Executive Boards Act of 2022, would 
formally authorize Federal Executive Boards (FEBs). FEBs 
coordinate activities among federal agency field offices 
located outside of Washington, D.C. and develop state and local 
partnerships, including for the purposes of emergency 
preparedness and workforce development. The bill will stabilize 
FEBs by establishing a reliable interagency fund for essential 
FEB operations. The bill also takes a number of steps to enable 
FEBs to further support agency workforce development efforts to 
recruit and place students, veterans, and others into skills 
training opportunities like apprenticeships and paid 
internships within federal agencies.

              II. Background and Need for the Legislation

    President Kennedy established Federal Executive Boards 
(FEBs) in 1961 through a directive to federal agencies.\1\ In a 
memo to the heads of federal departments and agencies, 
President Kennedy described Federal Executive Boards as an 
effort to better coordinate and strengthen government 
activities outside of the nation's capital.\2\ The President 
directed the Civil Service Commission to establish an FEB in 
each of its administrative regions across the country, with the 
participation of the heads of agency field offices and 
installations.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Federal Executive Boards, Presidential Directive (Nov. 10, 1961) 
(https://www.feb.gov/about/presidential-directive/).
    \2\Id.
    \3\Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Currently there are approximately 85% of Federal employees 
located outside of Washington, D.C. and 28 FEB locations in 
metropolitan areas that are major centers of federal activity, 
including: Atlanta, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; Boston, 
Massachusetts; Buffalo, New York; Chicago, Illinois; 
Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Colorado; Dallas-Ft. Worth, 
Texas; Detroit, Michigan; Honolulu-Pacific, Hawaii; Houston, 
Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; Los Angeles, California; 
Minnesota; New Mexico; New Orleans, Louisiana; New York City, 
New York; Newark, New Jersey; Oklahoma; Oregon; Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Saint Louis, Missouri; 
San Antonio, Texas; San Francisco, California; Seattle, 
Washington; and South Florida.\4\ The Office of Personnel 
Management (OPM) has the authority to dissolve, merge, divide, 
or establish new FEBs based on resources and regional needs.\5\ 
Members of FEBs include the highest-ranking federal officials 
of each agency within the geographic region.\6\ In each 
geographic area, the FEB represents 140 agency components on 
average, including civilian, military, postal, and law 
enforcement agencies.\7\ One or two full-time employees manage 
daily FEB office operations in the roles of Executive Director 
and Deputy Director or Assistant.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \4\Federal Executive Boards, Frequently Asked Questions (https://
www.feb.gov/faqs/); Federal Executive Boards, Locations (https://
www.feb.gov/board-locations/).
    \5\5 CFR 960.103; Federal Executive Boards, Frequently Asked 
Questions (https://www.feb.gov/faqs/).
    \6\Federal Executive Boards, Frequently Asked Questions (https://
www.feb.gov/faqs/).
    \7\Id; Federal Executive Boards, Federal Executive Board National 
Network Annual Report Fiscal Year 2021 (May 2022) (https://www.feb.gov/
plans-reports/federal-executive-board-2021-annual-report.pdf).
    \8\Federal Executive Boards, supra note 6; Federal Executive 
Boards, Federal Executive Board National Network Annual Report Fiscal 
Year 2021 (May 2022) (https://www.feb.gov/plans-reports/federal-
executive-board-2021-annual-report.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The activities of FEBs vary depending on the unique 
challenges and opportunities of their region, but qualities 
they share include establishing useful networks for sharing 
best practices across agencies, improving implementation of 
federal initiatives at the state and local levels, and 
identifying areas of duplication to enhance federal government 
efficiency.\9\ Participating agencies overwhelmingly describe 
FEBs as valuable and beneficial resources. According to an 
agency effectiveness survey published in May 2022, 92% of Board 
members recommended engagement with the FEB.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \9\Federal Executive Boards, About (https://www.feb.gov/about/).
    \10\Federal Executive Boards, Federal Executive Board National 
Network Annual Report Fiscal Year 2021 (May 2022) (https://www.feb.gov/
plans-reports/federal-executive-board-2021-annual-report.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The overarching strategic goals of FEBs include regional 
and local coordination of federal emergency response activities 
across agencies, carrying out workforce development strategies 
in support of strengthening the federal talent pipeline, and 
building partnerships between federal agencies and state and 
local entities, including governments, nonprofits, and colleges 
and universities.\11\ In their most recent annual report for 
Fiscal Year 2021, published in May 2022, FEB-provided workforce 
training opportunities that resulted in an estimated cost 
avoidance of more than $6.9 million and FEB-sponsored 
alternative dispute resolution of cases that resulted in an 
estimated cost avoidance of more than $7.4 million.\12\ In 
terms of federal emergency response, FEBs assisted local 
Federal agency leaders by providing time-sensitive status 
information during real world natural disasters like 
hurricanes, tropical storms, and tornados.\13\ In recent years, 
FEBs also played a critical role in the comprehensive response 
to the COVID-19 pandemic.\14\ According to the Federal 
Executive Board Network Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report, boards 
across the country ``served as a convening resource'' that 
enabled agency leaders to discuss their pandemic-related 
concerns and share best practices on an ongoing basis.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \11\Federal Executive Boards, Federal Executive Board National 
Network Strategic and Operational Plan 2018-2022 (Oct. 2017) (https://
www.feb.gov/plans-reports/federal-executive-board-strategic-plan-2018 
2022.pdf).
    \12\Federal Executive Boards, supra note 10.
    \13\Id.
    \14\Partnership for Public Service, How Federal Executive Boards 
played a key role in supporting the federal workforce during the COVID-
19 pandemic (blog) (Apr. 8, 2021) (https://ourpublicservice.org/blog/
how-federal-executive-boards-played-a-key-role-in-supporting-the-
federal-workforce-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/).
    \15\Federal Executive Boards, Federal Executive Board National 
Network Annual Report Fiscal Year 2020 (Feb. 2021) (https://
www.feb.gov/plans-reports/federal-executive-board-2020-annual-
report.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    For over 60 years, FEBs have strengthened our government's 
emergency preparedness, workforce development, and community 
engagement efforts, particularly during unprecedented times 
like the COVID-19 pandemic.\16\ However, FEBs are not formally 
authorized and do not have a stable source of funding.\17\ 
Currently, a voluntary host federal department or agency 
provides FEB operational funding and funding for projects is 
covered by local member agencies.\18\ This voluntary funding 
structure can mean unreliable commitments of budget and staff 
by employing agencies, which can negatively affect the capacity 
and effectiveness of FEBs.\19\ Without an authorized funding 
structure, it can also mean these critical entities are 
increasingly at risk of shutting down or closing. Additionally, 
the current need for FEBs to focus on obtaining funding for 
basic operations significantly detracts from FEB efforts to 
meet strategic goals, including activities related to workforce 
development.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \16\Stephanie Cheung, Happy 60th anniversary to the Federal 
Executive Boards, Partnership for Public Service (blog) (Nov. 10, 2021) 
(https://ourpublicservice.org/blog/happy-60th-anniversary-to-the-
federal-executive-boards/).
    \17\Federal Executive Boards, supra note 6.
    \18\Id.
    \19\Erich Wagner, Biden's Budget Focuses on Making Agencies a 
`Model Employer,' Government Executive (article) (Mar. 29, 2022) 
(https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2022/03/biden-budget-agencies-model-
employer/363757/).
    \20\Federal Executive Boards, supra note 10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    In his Fiscal Year 2023 Presidential Budget Request (FY23 
Budget), President Biden calls for developing pipelines for 
internships ``around the Nation through a reinvigorated vision 
and funding model for Federal Executive Boards, to ensure a 
pulse on the Federal impact in communities and support Federal 
employees and agencies across the Nation.''\21\ The President's 
FY23 Budget requested a $10 million interagency fund, as well 
as the establishment of an FEB Program Management Office, to 
replace the current ``ad hoc'' funding structure.\22\ The Biden 
Administration is also currently developing a ``refreshed FEB 
funding and governance model'' involving new roles for the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the General Services 
Administration (GSA).\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \21\Office of Management and Budget, Budget of the U.S. Government 
Fiscal Year 2023 (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/
03/budget_fy2023.pdf).
    \22\General Services Administration, How the President's Budget 
Delivers for the Federal Workforce (Mar. 29, 2022) (https://
www.performance.gov/blog/budget-delivers-for-federal-workforce/).
    \23\Office of Management and Budget, Analytical Perspectives Budget 
of the U.S. Government Fiscal Year 2023 (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2022/04/spec_fy2023.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    In the 111th Congress, HSGAC member Senator George 
Voinovich (R-OH) introduced the Federal Executive Board 
Authorization Act of 2009, a bill similar to the Improving 
Government Efficiency and Workforce Development through Federal 
Executive Boards Act of 2022, with Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) 
as a cosponsor. This bill aimed to statutorily authorize the 
establishment of FEBs and provide for interagency funding for 
FEBs. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
Committee marked up the bill in July 2009 and in the following 
November, it passed the Senate floor by unanimous consent. The 
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform also voted 
to advance the bill by voice vote in 2010, though it never made 
it through the House floor.
    The Improving Government Efficiency and Workforce 
Development through Federal Executive Boards Act of 2022 would 
authorize FEBs and establish a stable interagency fund financed 
by contributions from participating agencies for FEB office 
operations. The bill adds a new section 1106 to Title 5, United 
States Code, to authorize Federal Executive Boards, which 
designates OPM, OMB, and GSA as the agencies responsible for 
the oversight and administration of FEBs. Doing so will ensure 
FEBs have the resources they need to continue supporting agency 
initiatives and strengthen federal talent pipelines by 
increasing the number of training opportunities in government.

                        III. Legislative History

    Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced S. 4894, the 
Improving Government Efficiency and Workforce Development 
through Federal Executive Boards Act of 2022, on September 20, 
2022, with original cosponsors Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and 
Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA). The bill was referred to the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
    The Committee considered S. 4894 at a business meeting on 
September 28, 2022. The Committee ordered the bill to be 
reported favorably by voice vote en bloc with Senators Peters, 
Carper, Hassan, Sinema, Rosen, Padilla, Ossoff, Portman, 
Johnson, Paul, Lankford, Romney, Scott, and Hawley present.

        IV. Section-by-Section Analysis of the Bill, as Reported


Section 1. Short title

    This section establishes the short title of the bill as the 
``Improving Government Efficiency and Workforce Development 
through Federal Executive Boards Act of 2022.''

Sec. 2. Federal Executive Boards

    Subsection (a) adds a new section 1106 to title 5, United 
States Code, to authorize Federal Executive Boards. Subsection 
(a) of the new section 1106 describes the purposes of the bill 
to authorize Federal Executive Boards. The purposes include: 
strengthening interagency coordination and collaboration to 
improve the experience of citizens interacting with agencies 
and the efficiency of federal initiatives; facilitating 
communication on federal emergency preparedness and continuity 
of operations; facilitating strategies and programs for 
recruiting, training, managing, and retaining federal 
employees; and building relationships with state and local 
governments and other entities that collaborate with the 
federal government. Another purpose is to provide stable 
funding for Federal Executive Boards to enable the activities 
associated with the other stated purposes.
    Subsection (b) of the new section 1106 defines the terms 
``agency,'' ``Director,'' ``Federal Executive Board,'' 
``institution of higher education,'' and ``state apprenticeship 
agency'' in the context of this section.
    Subsection (c) of the new section 1106 directs OPM to 
support Federal Executive Boards in coordination with OMB and 
GSA. Before establishing any new FEBs, OPM must conduct a 
review of existing FEBs and consult with the headquarters of 
appropriate agencies on the number and location of FEBs. 
Regarding FEB location determinations, OPM must take into 
account federal workforce data and the geographic disbursement 
of the Federal workforce, factoring in the role of remote work 
options. Membership of FEBs shall consist of the most senior 
officer of each agency in that geographic area, who may 
designate an alternative representative to attend meetings and 
represent the agency on the FEB.
    Subsection (d) of the new section 1106 designates OPM in 
partnership with OMB and GSA as the agencies responsible for 
the oversight and administration of Federal Executive Boards. 
These activities include establishing staffing and 
accountability policies for FEBs, setting policies for 
disseminating information to agencies participating in FEBs, 
and the administration of funding to FEBs as established by 
subsection (f).
    Subsection (e) of the new section 1106 outlines the 
governance and activities of Federal Executive Boards. Each FEB 
is directed to adopt charters or other rules for the internal 
governance of the Board and elect a Chairperson among FEB 
members to serve for set term. FEBs may accept non-monetary 
donations of supplies, services, land, and equipment for 
carrying out activities associated with the purposes described 
in subsection (a), including the activities outlined in this 
subsection. Following each major programmatic activity and at 
least semi-annually, FEBs need to assess the experiences of 
participants and other relevant stakeholders involved in the 
program.
    Subsection (f) of the new section 1106 creates a dedicated 
fund within OPM to cover the staffing and operating expenses of 
FEBs. OPM, in partnership with OMB and GSA and in consultation 
with agency heads, will establish a formula for contributions 
to be deposited into the fund by agencies that participate in 
Federal Executive Boards. The formula needs to consider the 
number of employees at each agency in the geographic areas 
served by FEBs and would be recalculated every two years. OPM 
may allow agencies to provide in-kind contributions instead of 
or in addition to monetary contributions. The fund must equate 
to a minimum of $15 million, indexed to inflation and factoring 
in any changes in cost due to federal pay adjustments. If the 
fund exceeds the needs of FEBs for operating expenses, the 
remainder would be allocated across FEBs to support the 
activities described in subsection (e).
    Subsection (g) of the new section 1106 directs OPM, with 
OMB and GSA involvement, to submit biennial reports to Congress 
and participating agencies on FEB outcomes and budget matters.
    Subsection (h) of the new section 1106 authorizes OPM, with 
OMB and GSA involvement, to prescribe the regulations necessary 
to carry out this section.
    Subsection (b) directs OPM, with OMB and GSA involvement, 
to submit a report to HSGAC and COR on Federal Executive Boards 
within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The report needs to 
include a description of essential FEB functions, details of 
staffing requirements for each FEB, and estimates of staffing 
and operating expenses for each FEB.
    Subsection (c) amends the table of sections in chapter 11 
of title 5, United States Code, to include the new section 
added by this bill.

                   V. Evaluation of Regulatory Impact

    Pursuant to the requirements of paragraph 11(b) of rule 
XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee has 
considered the regulatory impact of this bill and determined 
that the bill will have no regulatory impact within the meaning 
of the rules. The Committee agrees with the Congressional 
Budget Office's statement that the bill contains no 
intergovernmental or private sector mandates as defined in the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no costs 
on state, local, or tribal governments.

             VI. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                  Washington, DC, November 9, 2022.
Hon. Gary C. Peters,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. 
        Senate, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed table summarizing estimated budgetary 
effects and mandates information for some of the legislation 
that has been ordered reported by the Senate Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs during the 117th 
Congress.
    If you wish further details, we will be pleased to provide 
them. The CBO staff contact for each estimate is listed on the 
enclosed table.
            Sincerely,
                                         Phillip L. Swagel,
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.

           SUMMARY ESTIMATES OF LEGISLATION ORDERED REPORTED

    The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the 
Congressional Budget Office, to the extent practicable, to 
prepare estimates of the budgetary effects of legislation 
ordered reported by Congressional authorizing committees. In 
order to provide the Congress with as much information as 
possible, the attached table summarizes information about the 
estimated direct spending and revenue effects of some of the 
legislation that has been ordered reported by the Senate 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs during 
the 117th Congress. The legislation listed in this table 
generally would have small effects, if any, on direct spending 
or revenues, CBO estimates. Where possible, the table also 
provides information about the legislation's estimated effects 
on spending subject to appropriation and on intergovernmental 
and private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act.

                                                                      ESTIMATED BUDGETARY EFFECTS AND MANDATES INFORMATION
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                           Increases On-
                                                                                                                          Spending Subject   Pay-As-You-      Budget
   Bill          Title         Status        Last Action       Budget Function    Direct Spending,     Revenues, 2023-   to Appropriation,  Go Procedures    Deficits      Mandates     Contact
  Number                                                                              2023-2032             2032             2023-2027          Apply?     Beginning in
                                                                                                                                                               2033?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. 4894     Improving       Ordered               09/28/22                 800    Between zero and                   0   Not estimated      Yes            No            No           Matthew
             Government      reported                                                     $500,000                                                                                     Pickford
             Efficiency
             and Workforce
             Development
             Through
             Federal
             Executive
             Boards Act of
             2022
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. 4894 would establish Federal Executive Boards to improve collaboration among federal offices outside of Washington D.C. The Office of Personnel Management would oversee the boards,
  establish a fund for office operations, and require reports on activities. CBO estimates that enacting S. 4894 would have an insignificant effect on direct spending and no effect on revenues
  over the 2023-2032 period. CBO has not estimated the discretionary costs of implementing the bill. The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the
  Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

       VII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

    In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows: (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in brackets, new matter is 
printed in italic, and existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

UNITED STATES CODE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE 5--GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


PART II--CIVIL SERVICE FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 11--OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



SEC. 1106. FEDERAL EXECUTIVE BOARDS.

    (a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are to--
        (1) strengthen the strategic coordination, 
        communication, and management of Government activities 
        across the United States, including to improve the 
        experience of citizens interacting with agencies, and 
        to incorporate field perspectives into the preparation 
        of Federal workforce policy goals;
          (2) facilitate interagency collaboration to improve 
        the efficiency and effectiveness of Federal programs 
        and initiatives;
          (3) facilitate communication and collaboration on 
        Federal emergency preparedness and continuity of 
        operations for the Federal workforce in applicable 
        geographic areas;
          (4) facilitate strategies and programs for 
        recruiting, training, managing, and retaining Federal 
        employees, as well as sharing best practices for 
        improving the workforce experience and access to 
        education and training;
          (5) facilitate relationships with State and local 
        governments, colleges and universities, and local 
        nonprofit organizations that collaborate with the 
        Federal Government; and
          (6) provide stable funding for Federal Executive 
        Boards to enable the activities described in paragraphs 
        (1) through (5).
    (b) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) Agency.--The term ``agency''--
                  (A) means an Executive agency, as defined in 
                section 105; and
                  (B) does not include the Government 
                Accountability Office.
          (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means that 
        Director of the Office of Personnel Management.
          (3) Federal executive board.--The term ``Federal 
        Executive Board'' means an interagency entity--
                  (A) established by the Director--
                          (i) in coordination with the Director 
                        of the Office of Management and Budget 
                        and the Administrator of General 
                        Services; and
                          (ii) in consultation with the 
                        headquarters of appropriate agencies;
                  (B) located in a geographic area with a high 
                concentration of Federal employees outside the 
                Washington, D.C., metropolitan area; and
                  (C) focused on strengthening the management 
                and administration of agency activities and 
                coordination among local Federal officers to 
                implement national initiatives in that 
                geographic area.
          (4) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
          (5) State apprenticeship agency.--The term ``State 
        Apprenticeship Agency'' has the meaning given the term 
        in section 29.2 of title 29, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, or any successor regulation.
    (c) Perpetuation and Continued Support.--
          (1) In general.--The Director, in coordination with 
        the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and 
        the Administrator of General Services, shall continue 
        to support the existence of Federal Executive Boards in 
        geographic areas outside the Washington, D.C., 
        metropolitan area.
          (2) Consultation.--Before establishing any new 
        Federal Executive Boards that not in existence on the 
        date of enactment of this section, the Director shall 
        conduct a review of existing Federal Executive Boards 
        and consult with the headquarters of appropriate 
        agencies to guide the determination of the number and 
        location of Federal Executive Boards.
          (3) Location.--The Director shall develop a set of 
        criteria to establish and evaluate the number and 
        locations of Federal Executive Boards that shall--
                  (A) factor in contemporary Federal workforce 
                data as of the date of enactment of this 
                section; and
                  (B) be informed by the annual changes in 
                workforce data, including the geographic 
                disbursement of the Federal workforce and role 
                of remote work options.
          (4) Membership.--
                  (A) In general.--Each Federal Executive Board 
                for a geographic area shall consist of the most 
                senior officer of each agency in that 
                geographic area.
                  (B) Alternate representative.--The senior 
                officer of an agency described in subparagraph 
                (A) may designate, by title of office, an 
                alternate representative, who shall--
                          (i) be a senior officer in the 
                        agency; and
                          (ii) attend meetings and otherwise 
                        represent the agency on the Federal 
                        Executive Board in absence of the most 
                        senior officer.
    (d) Administration and Oversight.--The Director, in 
coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget and the Administrator of General Services, shall 
administer and oversee Federal Executive Boards, including--
          (1) establishing staffing and accountability 
        policies, including performance standards for employees 
        responsible for administering Federal Executive Boards 
        with an opportunity for employee customer service 
        feedback from agencies participating in Federal 
        Executive Boards;
          (2) establishing communications policies for the 
        dissemination of information to agencies participating 
        in Federal Executive Boards; and
          (3) administering Federal Executive Board funding 
        through the fund established in subsection (f).
    (e) Governance and Activities.--
          (1) In general.--Each Federal Executive Board shall--
                  (A) subject to the approval of the Director, 
                adopt charters or other rules for the internal 
                governance of the Federal Executive Board;
                  (B) elect a Chairperson from among the 
                members of the Federal Executive Board, who 
                shall serve for a set term;
                  (C) serve as an instrument of outreach 
                relating to agency activities in the geographic 
                area;
                  (D) provide a forum to amplify the exchange 
                of information relating to programs and 
                management methods and problems--
                          (i) between the national headquarters 
                        of agencies and the field; and
                          (ii) among field elements in 
                        geographic areas
                  (E) develop local coordinated approaches to 
                the development and operation of programs that 
                have common characteristics or serve the same 
                populations;
                  (F) communicate management initiatives and 
                other concerns from Federal officers and 
                employees in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan 
                area to Federal officers and employees in the 
                geographic area to achieve better mutual 
                understanding and support;
                  (G) develop relationships with State and 
                local governments, institutions of higher 
                education, and nongovernmental organizations to 
                help fulfill the roles and responsibilities of 
                the Federal Executive Board;
                  (H) in coordination with appropriate agencies 
                and consistent with any relevant memoranda of 
                understanding between the Office of Personnel 
                Management and those agencies, facilitate 
                communication, collaboration, and training to 
                prepare the Federal workforce for emergencies 
                and continuity of operations;
                  (I) in coordination with appropriate 
                agencies, support agency efforts to place and 
                recruit students in training opportunities, 
                particularly apprenticeships and paid 
                internships;
                  (J) consult with the Secretary of Labor or 
                State Apprenticeship Agencies on the process 
                for establishing registered apprenticeship 
                program within agencies, as appropriate;
                  (K) consult with State workforce development 
                boards and local workforce development boards 
                as established in sections 101 and 107 of the 
                Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
                U.S.C. 3111, 3122), respectively, as 
                appropriate;
                  (L) as appropriate, create and executive 
                cross-agency talent management initiatives--
                          (i) including interagency--
                                  (I) recruitment activities;
                                  (II) internships and 
                                apprenticeships;
                                  (III) sharing of 
                                certifications of eligible 
                                candidates for hiring;
                                  (IV) onboarding and 
                                leadership and management 
                                development; and
                                  (V) mentorship programs; and 
                                (ii) by prioritizing 
                                initiatives related to--
                                  (I) conducting outreach to 
                                communities of individuals with 
                                demographics that are 
                                underrepresented in a given 
                                occupation or agency; and
                                  (II) addressing skills gaps 
                                within the Federal Government 
                                related to high-risk areas as 
                                identified by the Government 
                                Accountability Office;
                  (M) coordinate with the Transition Assistance 
                Centers established to carry out the Transition 
                Assistance Program of the Department of Defense 
                to help members of the Armed Fores who are 
                transitioning into civilian life apply for 
                Government positions in the geographic location 
                of the Federal Executive Board;
                  (N) provide a forum for local bargaining 
                units to collaborate with regional agency 
                leadership on forums and training;
                  (O) as appropriate, serve as a collaborative 
                space where employees from across agencies can 
                participate in innovation project relevant to 
                federal initiatives by applying human-centered 
                design, user-experience design, or other 
                creativity methods; and
                  (P) take other actions as agreed to by the 
                Federal Executive Board and Director, in 
                consultation with the Office of Management and 
                Budget and the Administrator of General 
                Services.
          (2) Coordination of certain activities.--The 
        facilitation of communication, collaboration, and 
        training described in paragraph (1)(H) shall, when 
        appropriate, be coordinated and defined through written 
        agreements entered into between the Director and the 
        heads of applicable agencies.
          (3) Non-monetary donations.--Each Federal Executive 
        Board may accept donations of supplies, services, land, 
        and equipment consistent with the purposes described in 
        paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a), including 
        to assist in carrying out the activities described in 
        paragraph (1) of this subsection.
          (4) Programmatic assessments.--Not less frequently 
        than semi-annually or following each major programmatic 
        activity, each Federal Executive Board shall assess the 
        experience of participants or other relevant 
        stakeholders in each program provided by the Federal 
        Executive Board.
    (f) Funding.--
          (1) Establishment of the fund.--The Director, in 
        coordination with and with approval from the Director 
        of the Office of Management and Budget and the 
        Administrator of General Services, shall establish a 
        fund within the Office of Personnel Management for 
        financing essential Federal Executive Board functions--
                  (A) including staffing and operating 
                expenses; and
                  (B) excluding the costs of the Office of 
                Personnel Management relating to administrative 
                and oversight activities conducted under 
                subsection (d) or to national office expenses.
          (2) Deposits.--There shall be deposited in the fund 
        established under paragraph (1) amounts transferred to 
        the fund pursuant to paragraph (3) from each agency 
        participating in Federal Executive Boards, according to 
        a formula established by the Director--
                  (A) in consultation with the headquarters of 
                those agencies; and
                  (B) in coordination with and with approval 
                from the Director of the Office of Management 
                and Budget and the Administrator of General 
                Services.
          (3) Contributions.--
                  (A) Formula.--
                          (i) In General.-- The formula for 
                        contributions established by the 
                        Director under paragraph (2) shall 
                        consider the number of employees in 
                        each agency in all geographic areas 
                        served by Federal Executive Boards.
                          (ii) Recalculation.--The contribution 
                        of the headquarters of each agency 
                        under clause (i) to the fund 
                        established under paragraph (1) shall 
                        be recalculated not less frequently 
                        than every 2 years.
                  (B) In Kind Contributions.--At the discretion 
                of the Director, an agency may provide in-kind 
                contributions instead of, or in addition to, 
                providing monetary contributions to the fund 
                established under paragraph (1).
          (4) Minimum Amount.--
                  (A) Iin General.--The fund established under 
                paragraph (1) shall include a minimum of 
                $15,000,000 in each fiscal year.
                  (B) Adjustment.--The Director shall adjust 
                the amount required under subparagraph (A) 
                every 2 years on a schedule aligned with the 
                recalculation described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii) 
                to reflect--
                          (i) the percentage increase, if any, 
                        in the Consumer Price Index for all 
                        Urban Consumers as determined by the 
                        Bureau of Labor Statistics; and
                          (ii) any changes in costs related to 
                        Federal pay changes authorized by the 
                        President or by an Act of Congress.
          (5) Use of excess amounts.--Any unobligated and 
        unexpended balances in the fund established under 
        paragraph (1) that the Director determines to be in 
        excess of the amounts needed for Federal Executive 
        Board functions shall be allocated among the Federal 
        Executive Boards for the activities described in 
        subsection (e) by the Director--
                  (A) in coordination with and with approval 
                from the Director of the Office of Management 
                and Budget and the Administrator of General 
                Services; and
                  (B) in consultation with the headquarters of 
                agencies participating in Federal Executive 
                Boards.
          (6) Administrative and oversight costs.--The Office 
        of Personnel Management shall pay for costs relating to 
        administrative and oversight activities conducted under 
        subsection (d) from appropriations made available to 
        the Office of Personnel Management.
    (g) Reports.--The Director, in coordination with and with 
approval from the Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget and the Administrator of General Services, shall submit 
biennial reports to Congress and to agencies participating in 
Federal Executive Boards on the outcomes of and budget matters 
related to Federal Executive Boards.
    (h) Regulations.-- The Director, in coordination with and 
with approval from the Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget and the Administrator of General Services, shall 
prescribe regulations necessary to carry out this section.

Table of sections
Sec.
1101. Office of Personnel Management.
     * * * * * * *
1105. Administrative procedure.
1106. Federal Executive Boards.

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