Sponsors (2)
The bill expands eligibility to use an OPM personnel authority for higher‑graded federal employees to improve retention and reward flexibility, at the expense of likely higher personnel costs and short‑term administrative burdens for agencies.
Federal employees above GS‑12 become eligible for a benefit previously limited to GS‑12 and below, giving OPM and agencies greater flexibility to retain or reward higher‑graded staff.
Taxpayers and federal agencies may face higher personnel costs if broader eligibility results in additional pay/benefit obligations for higher‑graded staff.
Federal HR offices and agencies will need to update policies and implementation guidance, creating administrative burden during the transition.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Removes the GS‑12 grade limitation in 5 U.S.C. §5550(h)(1), expanding eligibility for that provision to more Border Patrol positions.
Official title: To amend title 5, United States Code, to expand the eligibility of border patrol agents for certain overtime pay, and for other purposes.
Introduced August 10, 2026 by Garland H. Barr · Last progress August 10, 2026
Removes a grade-based restriction in federal law so more U.S. Border Patrol positions qualify for the overtime-parity rule in 5 U.S.C. §5550(h). By deleting the phrase that limited eligibility to positions at grade GS‑12, the bill expands the pool of Border Patrol employees who may receive the benefits or treatment described in that paragraph.