Bill Summary
The "Commission to Relocate the Federal Bureaucracy Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at establishing a commission to investigate the potential relocation of certain federal agencies outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The act defines a "covered agency" as any federal agency that is not related to security, as determined by the President.
The commission will consist of high-level officials from various federal departments and agencies, including the Office of Management and Budget and several secretaries of government departments. Within one year of the act's enactment, the commission is required to submit a report to Congress evaluating the feasibility of relocating these agencies. The report will consider factors such as financial efficiency, existing infrastructure, the presence of related industries that could support the agencies, and the prevalence of telework within the agencies over the previous five years. This legislation aims to explore ways to distribute federal operations more broadly across the country, potentially reducing costs and improving efficiency.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Commission to Relocate the Federal Bureaucracy Act" could affect people:
1. **Economic Impact on Local Communities**: If covered agencies are relocated outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the local economies of the new locations could benefit from an influx of federal jobs and associated spending. This could lead to job creation in sectors such as housing, retail, and services, positively impacting the quality of life for residents in those areas.
2. **Changes in Employment for Federal Employees**: Federal employees currently working in D.C. may face significant changes to their employment situations if their agencies are relocated. Some may choose to relocate with their jobs, while others could face the prospect of commuting long distances or losing their jobs if they cannot relocate. This could lead to workforce disruptions and affect employees' financial stability and job satisfaction.
3. **Access to Government Services**: The relocation of federal agencies may affect citizens' access to government services. If agencies are moved to less populated or less accessible areas, individuals may find it more difficult to access services in person. Additionally, if telework becomes more prevalent as a result of the relocation, there may be changes in how services are delivered, which could improve convenience for some while creating challenges for others who prefer in-person interactions.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 202 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 202
To establish a commission to study the relocation of certain agencies
outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2025
Ms. Tenney introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a commission to study the relocation of certain agencies
outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, 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 ``Commission to Relocate the Federal
Bureaucracy Act''.
SEC. 2. AGENCY RELOCATION COMMISSION.
(a) Definitions.--
(1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' has the meaning given the
term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the
Commission established under subsection (b).
(3) Covered agency.--The term ``covered agency'' means an
agency that is not a security-related agency, as determined by
the President.
(4) Telework.--The term ``telework'' has the meaning given
the term in section 6501 of title 5, United States Code.
(5) Washington, d.c. metropolitan area.--The term
``Washington, D.C. metropolitan area'' means--
(A) the District of Columbia;
(B) Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in the
State of Maryland; and
(C) Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, and Prince William
Counties and the City of Alexandria in the Commonwealth
of Virginia.
(b) Establishment.--There is established a Commission to study the
relocation of covered agencies based in the Washington, D.C.
metropolitan area to other areas throughout the United States.
(c) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of--
(1) the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel
Office;
(2) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management;
(3) the Comptroller General of the United States;
(4) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;
(5) the Secretary of Agriculture;
(6) the Secretary of Commerce;
(7) the Secretary of Education;
(8) the Secretary of Energy;
(9) the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
(10) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development;
(11) the Secretary of the Interior;
(12) the Secretary of Labor;
(13) the Secretary of Transportation;
(14) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
(15) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency; and
(16) the Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
(d) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress
a report on the study described in subsection (b).
(2) Factors.--In developing the report required under
paragraph (1), the Commission shall recommend the transfer of
covered agencies with consideration of--
(A) financial efficiency, including whether the
cost of living of an area is below the national
average;
(B) whether an area has adequate pre-existing
infrastructure and available private land to be used
for the purpose of covered agencies;
(C) whether an area has existing industries
relating to the business of a covered agency that can
serve as public and private sector partners of the
covered agency and strengthen the ability of the
covered agency to carry out the duties of the covered
agency; and
(D) whether, at any time during the 5-year period
preceding the date of enactment of this Act, a sizeable
portion of the workforce of the covered agency has
participated in telework.
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