[115th Congress Public Law 1]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 131 STAT. 3]]

Public Law 115-1
115th Congress

                                 An Act


 
    To amend title 5, United States Code, to codify the Presidential 
  Innovation Fellows Program, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Jan. 20, 
                          2017 -  [H.R. 39]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Tested 
Ability to Leverage Exceptional National Talent Act of 2017. 5 USC 101 
note.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Tested Ability to Leverage 
Exceptional National Talent Act of 2017'' or the ``TALENT Act of 2017''.
SEC. 2. PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION FELLOWS PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 31 of title 5, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

  ``SUBCHAPTER <<NOTE: 5 USC prec. 3171.>>  V--PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION 
FELLOWS PROGRAM
``Sec. 3171. <<NOTE: 5 USC 3171.>>  Presidential Innovation 
                  Fellows Program

    ``(a) Policy.--It is in the national interest for the Government to 
attract the brightest minds skilled in technology or innovative 
practices to serve in the Government to work on some of the Nation's 
biggest and most pressing challenges. This subchapter establishes a 
program to encourage successful entrepreneurs, executives, and 
innovators to join the Government and work in close cooperation with 
Government leaders, to create meaningful solutions that can help save 
lives and taxpayer money, fuel job creation, and significantly improve 
how the Government serves the American people.
    ``(b) Establishment.--The Administrator of General Services shall 
continue the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program (hereinafter 
referred to as the `Program') to enable exceptional individuals with 
proven track records to serve time-limited appointments in executive 
agencies to address some of the Nation's most significant challenges and 
improve existing Government efforts that would particularly benefit from 
expertise using innovative techniques and technology.
    ``(c) <<NOTE: Appointment.>>  Administration.--The Program shall be 
administered by a Director, appointed by the Administrator under 
authorities of the General Services Administration. The Administrator 
shall provide necessary staff, resources and administrative support for 
the Program.

    ``(d) Appointment of Fellows.--The Director shall appoint fellows 
pursuant to the Program and, in cooperation with executive agencies, 
shall facilitate placement of fellows to participate in

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projects that have the potential for significant positive effects and 
are consistent with the President's goals.
    ``(e) Application Process.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall prescribe the process 
        for applications and nominations of individuals to the Program.
            ``(2) Program standards.--Following publication of these 
        processes, the Director may accept for consideration 
        applications from individuals. The Director shall establish, 
        administer, review, and revise, if appropriate, a Governmentwide 
        cap on the number of fellows. The Director shall establish and 
        publish salary ranges, benefits, and standards for the Program.

    ``(f) Selection, Appointment, and Assignment of Fellows.--
            ``(1) Procedures.--The Director shall prescribe appropriate 
        procedures for the selection, appointment, and assignment of 
        fellows.
            ``(2) Consultation.--Prior to the selection of fellows, the 
        Director shall consult with the heads of executive agencies 
        regarding potential projects and how best to meet those needs. 
        Following such consultation, the Director shall select and 
        appoint individuals to serve as fellows.
            ``(3) Time limitation.--Fellows selected for the Program 
        shall serve under short-term, time-limited appointments. Such 
        fellows shall be appointed for no less than 6 months and no 
        longer than 2 years in the Program. The Director shall 
        facilitate the process of placing fellows at requesting 
        executive agencies.

    ``(g) Responsibilities of Agencies.--Each executive agency shall 
work with the Director and the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program 
advisory board established under section 3172 to attempt to maximize the 
Program's benefits to the agency and the Government, including by 
identifying initiatives that have a meaningful effect on the people 
served and that benefit from involvement by one or more fellows. Such 
agencies shall ensure that each fellow works closely with responsible 
senior officials for the duration of the assignment.
``Sec. 3172. <<NOTE: 5 USC 3172.>>  Presidential Innovation 
                  Fellows Program advisory board

    ``(a) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>>  In General.--The Administrator 
of General Services shall continue an advisory board to advise the 
Director of the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program by recommending 
such priorities and standards as may be beneficial to fulfill the 
mission of the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program and assist in 
identifying potential projects and placements for fellows. The advisory 
board may not participate in the selection process under section 
3171(f).

    ``(b) <<NOTE: Designation.>>  Chair; Membership.--The Administrator 
shall designate a representative to serve as the Chair of the advisory 
board. In addition to the Chair, the membership of the advisory board 
shall include--
            ``(1) the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of 
        Management and Budget;
            ``(2) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management;
            ``(3) the Administrator of the Office of Electronic 
        Government of the Office of Management and Budget;
            ``(4) the Assistant to the President and Chief Technology 
        Officer; and
            ``(5) other individuals as may be designated by the 
        Administrator.

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    ``(c) Consultation.--The advisory board may consult with industry, 
academia, or nonprofits to ensure the Presidential Innovation Fellows 
Program is continually identifying opportunities to apply advanced 
skillsets and innovative practices in effective ways to address the 
Nation's most significant challenges.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 31 of 
title 5, United States Code, <<NOTE: 5 USC prec. 3010.>>  is amended by 
adding at the end the following:

         ``subchapter v--presidential innovation fellows program

``3171. Presidential Innovation Fellows Program.
``3172. Presidential Innovation Fellows Program advisory board.''.

    (c) <<NOTE: 5 USC 3171 note.>>  Transition.--The Presidential 
Innovation Fellows Program established pursuant to Executive Order No. 
13704 (5 U.S.C. 3301 note) as in existence on the day before the date of 
enactment of this Act shall be considered the Presidential Innovation 
Fellows Program described in the amendments made by this Act.

    (d) No Additional Funds Authorized.--No additional funds are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act or the amendments 
made by this Act. This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall be 
carried out using amounts otherwise authorized.

    Approved January 20, 2017.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 39:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017):
            Jan. 10, 11, considered and passed House.
            Jan. 17, considered and passed Senate.

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