NASA Workforce Flexibilities: H.R. 1085 and S. 610, 108th Congress
Publication Date: January 2004
Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
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Research Area: Science and technology
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Abstract:
Various personnel flexibilities would be provided to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under legislation currently pending in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. H.R. 1085, the NASA Flexibility Act of 2003, was introduced by Representative Sherwood Boehlert on March 5, 2003. S. 610, the NASA Flexibility Act of 2003, was introduced by Senator George Voinovich on March 13, 2003. H.R. 1836, the Civil Service and National Security Personnel Improvement Act, introduced by Representative Tom Davis on April 29, 2003, includes, in Title III, Subtitle B, provisions similar to those in S. 610, as introduced.
This report compares H.R. 1085, as reported to the House, and S. 610, as passed by the Senate, with current law. (See CRS Report RL31924 for H.R. 1836.) Both bills would provide enhanced flexibilities for human resources management at NASA by creating a new Chapter 98 on NASA in Title 5 of the United States Code.
H.R. 1085 and S. 610, among other provisions, would provide more remunerative amounts of, and greater flexibility in administering, recruitment, relocation, and retention bonuses; permit term appointments of up to six years; and authorize pay up to the Vice President's salary for critically needed scientific, technical, professional, or administrative personnel. Both bills also would allow the Administrator of NASA to place limited term and limited emergency appointees in career-reserved positions in the Senior Executive Service. Career-reserved positions are required by statute to be filled by career appointees. Unlike, S. 610, H.R. 1085 would allow a personnel management demonstration project at NASA to cover up to 8,000 employees, rather than the up to 5,000 employees permitted under current law.
This report will be updated as legislative actions occur.