Number:  113-25
Date:  September 24, 2014

House Passes H.R. 5169,
the Senior Executive Service Accountability Act

On September 16, 2014, the House passed H.R. 5169, the Senior Executive Service Accountability Act, by voice vote.  The bill would enhance accountability within the Senior Executive Service (SES).  The bill now awaits Senate action. 

Following are provisions of interest to SSA:

• Would require each agency to include in its biennial request to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for SES positions a justification for each position and the specific result expected from such position, including impact on the agency mission.

• Would extend the probationary period for SES employees from one to two years.

• Would make SES employees subject to suspensions for cause for 14 days or less without duties and pay.  Would expand the grounds for suspension or termination from misconduct to issues that would promote efficiency of the SES program. 

• Would require that an agency issue a written decision on action it will take against a SES employee no later than 30 days from receipt of the employee response to the initial adverse action against the employee.  Would allow an agency head to extend the deadline for the agency decision or SES employee response to the initial adverse action for no more than 30 days each.

• Would require SES employees subject to removal, and upon final decision that the employee should be removed, to pay back any pay received and remove any annual leave accrued during the period beginning on the date of notice of removal to the date of the final decision.

• Would be effective upon enactment.