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April 11, 2023 FEDmanager

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The Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs has advanced a slew of legislation that could impact the federal workforce.

The Saving Money and Accelerating Repairs Through (SMART) Leasing Act (S.211)

This legislation would create a program that allows federal agencies to lease underutilized and vacant properties to the private sector. The Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) must approve the leases. The rent payments would be used to fund capital project and facilities maintenance.

Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) authored the legislation.

Federal Agency Performance Act of 2023 (S.709)

The legislation aims to improve accountability and transparency among federal agencies by requiring regular reviews of an agencys performance goals and then making more of that data public. It updates the Government Performance and Budget Act.

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) authored the bill.

Increased transparency and accountability are key when it comes to improving the performance of federal agencies for taxpayers, said Senator Braun.

Clear and Concise Content Act (S.717)

The bill would ensure that information published by the government, including guidance, instructions, and other key information, is written in plain language. It also updates the Plain Writing Act of 2010 to expand the types of information that agencies must publish in plain writing.

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) authored the legislation.

Duplication Scoring Act of 2023 (S.780)

This legislation, sponsored by Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Rand Paul (R-KY), aims to prevent duplicate programs in the federal government. The bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to analyze legislation reported by any congressional committee, and then report if the legislation would create a duplicate program, office, or initiative, with the goal of cutting down on wasteful spending.

Guidance Clarity Act of 2023 (S.108)

The legislation would require federal agencies to include a guidance clarity statement, which states that the guidance is not issued in accordance with the rulemaking process and therefore is not legally binding.

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) sponsored the bill.

Federal Data Center Enhancement Act (S.933)

The legislation instructs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop security protection requirements at federal data centers. That includes both cyber and physical threats such as wildfires.

Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) sponsored the bill.

GAO Database Modernization Act of 2023 (S.679)

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) sponsored this legislation that would require federal agencies to report to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) any rules that are revoked, suspended, replaced, amended, or otherwise made ineffective.

IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act (S.670)

This bipartisan legislation enhances the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) ability to fight human trafficking by making permanent and expanding the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Victim Assistance Program. The bill also improves and makes permanent a program that promotes the wellbeing of HSI employees who deal with the stress and associated trauma of supporting victims of human trafficking.

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator James Lankford (R-OK), and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) sponsored the bill.

The federal government must support victims of human trafficking, as well as the professionals who work each and every day to stop these crimes, said Senator Peters.

END FENTANYL Act (S.206) (Eradicating Narcotic Drugs and Formulating Effective New Tools to Address National Yearly Losses of Life Act)

The legislation aims to cut down on illegal drugs, by requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to review and update policies related to inspections at ports of entry and the border. The updates would be required every three years to ensure the guidance is up to date.

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is the chief sponsor.

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Key Bills Advance out of Senate Homeland Security Committee - FEDmanager