Bill Summary
This bill, known as the Telework for U.S. Innovation Act, aims to amend the United States Code in order to permanently allow the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to conduct a telework travel expenses program. This would allow employees of the USPTO to work remotely and be reimbursed for any travel expenses associated with their work. The bill also requires the Director of the USPTO to report annually to Congress on the program's costs, benefits, and effectiveness. The amendment also makes technical and conforming changes to the relevant section of the United States Code.
Possible Impacts
1) This legislation could allow employees of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to work remotely from home, reducing the need for them to commute to the office and potentially saving them money on transportation costs.
2) It could also result in increased job flexibility for employees, potentially benefiting those with disabilities or caregiving responsibilities.
3) The annual report required under the legislation could provide transparency and accountability for the program and its effectiveness, potentially affecting the public's perception and trust in the agency.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7448 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7448
To amend title 5, United States Code, to make permanent the authority
of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to conduct a telework
travel expenses program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 1, 2020
Mr. Connolly (for himself and Mr. Hice of Georgia) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 5, United States Code, to make permanent the authority
of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to conduct a telework
travel expenses program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Telework for U.S. Innovation Act''.
SEC. 2. TELEWORK TRAVEL EXPENSES PROGRAM OF THE UNITED STATES PATENT
AND TRADEMARK OFFICE.
(a) In General.--Section 5711 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``test'';
(2) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``committee'' and inserting
``committees''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``Government'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``test''; and
(ii) by striking ``section, including the
provision of reports in accordance with
subsection (d)(1)'' and inserting
``subsection'';
(C) in paragraph (4)(B), in the matter preceding
clause (i), by inserting ``and maintain'' after
``develop''; and
(D) in paragraph (5)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``test''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:
``(B) The Director of the Patent and Trademark Office shall prepare
and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual report
on the operation of the program under this subsection, which shall
include--
``(i) the costs and benefits of the program; and
``(ii) an analysis of the effectiveness of the program, as
determined under criteria developed by the Director.''; and
(3) in subsection (g), by striking ``this section'' and
inserting ``subsection (b)''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The table of sections for
subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, is amended
by striking the item relating to section 5711 and inserting the
following:
``5711. Authority for telework travel expenses programs.''.
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