U.S. Park Police Modernization Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1260
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-12: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-20T08:08:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
U.S. Park Police Modernization Act (H.R. 1260)
Purpose
This legislation aims to update the pay structure for officers and members of the United States Park Police by reducing the total number of pay grade steps and shortening the time required to advance between them. The goal is to modernize compensation to better support recruitment, retention, and career progression within the force.
Key Provisions
- Revised Salary Schedule: Amends Section 501(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 to establish a new pay table for various ranks, including Private, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Inspector/Major, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, and Chief.
- Pay steps are condensed into fewer levels, with advancement based on years of service: Steps 1–7 at 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9 years; Steps 8–13 at 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 22 years.
- Time between early steps (1–7) is 52 weeks (1 year); later steps (8–13) require 104 weeks (2 years).
- Specific salary amounts are outlined for each rank and step (e.g., Private Step 1: $55,801; Chief Step 13: $183,100), with higher ranks (Classes 5, 7–11) capped at 95% or 100% of Level V of the Executive Schedule (a federal pay scale for high-level officials).
- Service Step Adjustments: Modifies Section 303(a)(5) of the same Act to include higher salary classes (9, 10, or 11) in step progression rules, extend the maximum steps from 10 to 12, and remove an existing subparagraph.
- Disregard of Prior Adjustments: Ignores any pay increases made to Park Police before January 12, 2025, ensuring a clean implementation of the new schedule.
- Preservation of Other Payments: Does not reduce or limit locality pay or other compensation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Act.
- Effective Date: Takes effect on the first day of the first pay period starting on or after the bill's enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Condensed Pay Steps: Previously, the pay system had more steps and longer intervals; this bill reduces steps overall and accelerates progression (e.g., from 1-year to mixed 1- and 2-year intervals), allowing faster salary increases.
- Expanded Coverage: Adds higher ranks (Classes 10 and 11) to step adjustment rules and ties senior pay more explicitly to the Executive Schedule for consistency with federal standards.
- Reset Mechanism: By disregarding pre-2025 adjustments, it standardizes pay calculations from the new effective date, potentially resetting some officers' progression timelines.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The National Park Service (which oversees the U.S. Park Police) may see improved officer retention and morale due to quicker pay advancement, but it could increase short-term payroll costs. Implementation requires administrative updates to payroll systems.
- On Citizens: Indirect benefits through a more stable and motivated Park Police force, enhancing public safety in national parks and Washington, D.C. areas. No direct impact on citizens' taxes or services beyond federal budgeting.
- On International Relations: None apparent; the bill is domestic and focused on U.S. law enforcement.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary: Officers and members of the U.S. Park Police (approximately 2,500 personnel), who will experience faster pay progression and potentially higher earnings over time.
- Secondary: The National Park Service and Department of the Interior (as employers); Congress (for budgetary approval); and federal oversight committees like the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns Park Police pay with broader federal standards (e.g., Executive Schedule ties), ensuring compliance with existing D.C. Code without creating new entitlements. The "rule of construction" preserves other pay benefits, avoiding disputes over reductions.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; it operates within Congress's authority over federal law enforcement compensation under Article I (spending power).
- Political: Supports law enforcement modernization, potentially appealing to bipartisan interests in public safety. Could set a precedent for similar reforms in other federal police forces, influencing future budget debates on personnel costs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-12: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-02-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- U.S. Park Police Modernization Act — issued 2025-02-12 — PDF (4 pages)