To improve the review and effectiveness of the cost of living adjustments to pay and benefits for members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of Defense whose permanent duty station is located in the 19th Congressional District of California, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3120
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-06T14:17:56Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to enhance the accuracy and review process for cost of living adjustments (COLA) to pay and benefits for U.S. military personnel and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees stationed in California's 19th Congressional District, a high-cost area. It emphasizes supporting service members facing financial pressures from relocation and rising living expenses, such as housing and healthcare, which are higher in California than the national average.
Key Provisions
- Sense of Congress: Expresses congressional support for financially aiding military and DoD personnel in high-cost regions. It highlights concerns that current COLA calculations (based on a 107% index) may underestimate costs in the 19th District and calls for regular reviews to ensure fair compensation.
- Required Report: Directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to submit a detailed report to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees within one year of enactment. The report must cover:
- Methods for collecting data and determining COLA factors.
- Whether military commissaries (on-base stores offering discounted goods) or exchanges should influence COLA calculations.
- An evaluation of:
- If specific locations in the 19th District qualify as "high-cost areas" under DoD financial rules (which allow extra pay in expensive regions).
- The impact of the Monterey commissary on local COLA determinations.
- The potential benefits of higher COLA rates for certain areas in the district.
- A side-by-side comparison of COLA factors applied to Monterey and Santa Clara, California (both in high-cost areas but calculated differently).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill introduces no direct amendments to current laws or regulations. Instead, it mandates a one-time report to assess and potentially refine COLA methodologies under existing DoD guidelines (e.g., Chapter 67 of Volume 7A of the DoD Financial Management Regulation). This could indirectly influence future adjustments but does not alter statutes immediately.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Requires the DoD to conduct analysis and reporting, potentially increasing administrative workload for the Under Secretary's office but promoting more precise financial policies.
- On Citizens: Could lead to improved pay and benefits for affected military members and DoD civilians (estimated thousands in the district, including at bases like Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey), easing financial burdens in a region where living costs exceed national averages.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic personnel compensation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Military Personnel and DoD Civilians: Active-duty service members and civilian employees permanently stationed in California's 19th Congressional District (covering Monterey, San Benito, and parts of Santa Clara counties), who may benefit from more accurate COLA.
- Department of Defense: Bears responsibility for the report and any resulting policy reviews, particularly the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness.
- Congress: Armed Services Committees receive and review the report, potentially guiding broader military pay reforms.
- Local Communities: Residents and economies in the 19th District, including areas like Monterey with military installations, could see indirect economic boosts from better-supported personnel.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces DoD's obligation to maintain equitable compensation under federal financial regulations but does not challenge or override existing COLA frameworks. The report could inform administrative updates without needing new legislation.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; it aligns with Congress's authority over military funding and compensation (Article I, Section 8).
- Political: Represents targeted advocacy for a specific congressional district, likely driven by local high-cost concerns (e.g., near Silicon Valley influences). As an introduced bill referred to committees, it highlights bipartisan interest in military welfare but may face scrutiny over costs or precedents for district-specific adjustments.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2025-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To improve the review and effectiveness of the cost of living adjustments to pay and benefits for members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of Defense whose permanent duty station is located in the 19th Congressional District of California, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (4 pages)