Last progress April 10, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on April 10, 2025 by Melanie Ann Stansbury
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill tightens ethics and conflict-of-interest rules for “special Government employees” (SGEs)—federal workers used for limited periods, typically capped at 130 days in a year. It aims to make their roles more transparent and limit undue influence from large companies. Congress notes that some SGEs have significant financial conflicts and that most do not have to make their financial disclosures public today, even when some take on high-level duties; it also flags misuse of the 130‑day cap.
It would create a public, searchable database listing each covered SGE’s name, how many days they’ve served, and why they were designated an SGE instead of a regular employee. More SGEs would have to file public financial disclosures, with any claimed exemption reviewed by an agency ethics officer; low‑level roles (GS‑9 or below) with limited duties closely supervised by a career employee are excluded. Their disclosures would also be available online under updated rules. Conflict‑of‑interest rules are tightened, and any waiver must be posted in a searchable database within 14 days. SGEs who are not on advisory committees (or who chair/vice‑chair one) would be barred from official communications with agencies that regulate, contract with, or are enforcing against a “large company” they own or help lead; “large company” includes firms with over $1B in market cap or revenue, federal contractors with over $100M a year from the government, or firms with monopoly‑level control as defined by regulations. If an SGE serves more than 60 days in a year, all federal ethics rules apply just like for regular employees; after 130 days, additional rules about outside pay apply, even if the SGE is unpaid.
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