The Senate has approved a bill to provide for the establishment, administration and funding of federal executive boards, which help coordinate agency activities.
FEBs have operated without a congressional charter and relied on voluntary contributions from member agencies since the 1960s.
The Federal Executive Board Authorization Act of 2009, S-806, would call on OPM to consult with federal agencies to determine where to establish FEBs, and would require OPM to consult with agencies to establish staffing policies for FEBs.
The bill would designate an agency to staff each FEB, establish communications policies, performance standards and accountability initiatives, and administer FEB funding.
"Federal Executive Boards play a critical role facilitating federal communication and collaboration outside the Washington, D.C. area, including preparing the federal workforce for emergencies," Sen. Akaka said, adding, "This important legislation will formally authorize FEBs and provide a permanent funding mechanism, which will allow the boards to continue their good work."
The bill would further require FEBs to adopt by-laws or other rules for its internal governance, elect a chairman from among its members, develop local coordinated approaches to the development and operation of programs that have common characteristics, and communicate management initiatives and other concerns from Washington, D.C. to the field.
It would also create a fund for FEB operations, to be administered by OPM and consisting of contributions from OPM and each agency participating in FEBs to fund staff and operations.
Agency contributions would be determined by a formula established by the director, in consultation with agencies and OMB, considering each agency’s number of employees in areas served by FEBs.
