Several Other Bills Down to Last Chance

One other bill (S-1691) set for late-session action would overhaulfor Border Patrol agents “administratively uncontrollable overtime,” a special form of overtime for law enforcement personnel separate from general overtime rules. After investigative reports have questioned whether the authority, which produces a salary boost of up to 25 percent for work an officer performs at personal discretion, was being used properly there. Under the bill, already passed by the Senate and up for a planned House vote this week, Border Patrol agents would have the choice of working 100 hours each pay period with an increase in base salary of 25 percent; 90 hours each pay period with an increase of 12.5 percent; or working 80 hours per pay period. They would no longer be eligible for regular overtime pay and instead would receive compensatory time off for assigned working hours beyond their chosen total. The changes would take effect after OPM issues implementing rules. Another prospect for action is a bill making a lifecycle fund the default TSP investment option for those newly hired in the future who do not designate a fund for their investments; currently the default fund is the government securities G fund.Both chambers have passed a bill but the provisions differ somewhat and one would need to accept the other’s bill to make it final.