Personnel Oversight and Shift Tracking Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3425
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-09: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T01:08:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Personnel Oversight and Shift Tracking Act of 2025 (POST Act of 2025) aims to improve the oversight, performance, and accountability of contract security personnel who protect federal buildings and grounds managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service. It focuses on enhancing data collection from security tests, implementing corrective measures for failures, and modernizing systems for tracking personnel shifts to ensure reliable security coverage.
Key Provisions
- Oversight and Accountability for Contract Security Personnel (Section 2):
- Requires the Director of the Federal Protective Service (FPS), part of the Department of Homeland Security, to establish processes within one year of enactment to strengthen monitoring of contract guards at GSA facilities.
- Mandates standards for collecting, maintaining, and analyzing data from "covert testing" (undercover assessments of security vulnerabilities).
- Requires quarterly reviews of test data to identify trends, deficiencies, and improvement opportunities.
- Directs security contractors to create mandatory training and improvement plans for guards who fail covert tests, with FPS reviewing these plans.
- Calls for updated training guidance based on test results, emerging threats, and best practices.
- Requires an initial report to Congress upon completion, followed by annual reports detailing implementation, challenges, and legislative recommendations, submitted to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Personnel Shift Management and System Modernization (Section 3):
- Requires FPS to evaluate its personnel tracking system (used to monitor contract guards' availability and deployment) within 180 days of enactment.
- Directs a decision on whether to replace the system with a more reliable option (potentially from the private sector) or apply fixes, including technical or administrative improvements.
- Mandates an implementation plan with timelines and procedures for communicating shortages, absences, or coverage gaps to building tenants (e.g., federal agencies using the facilities).
- Requires an initial report to the same congressional committees within one year, followed by annual reports for three years, covering the decision, actions taken, tenant communication effectiveness, and recommendations.
- Savings Clause (Section 4):
- Clarifies that the Act does not classify contractor employees protecting federal property as federal employees under existing law (specifically referencing 40 U.S.C. § 1315, which authorizes FPS protection duties).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces new mandatory processes for FPS, including standardized data collection from covert tests, quarterly analytical reviews, and contractor-specific corrective training—requirements not previously detailed in law.
- Adds evaluation and potential modernization of the personnel tracking system, along with formal tenant communication protocols for security gaps, which build on but expand FPS's existing authority under 40 U.S.C. § 1315.
- Establishes recurring congressional reporting to promote transparency and accountability, without altering the non-federal status of contract personnel.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: FPS will face increased administrative burdens for evaluations, reviews, training oversight, and reporting, potentially leading to more efficient security operations and reduced vulnerabilities at over 8,000 GSA facilities. Tenants (e.g., federal workers in these buildings) may benefit from better notifications of security issues, enhancing workplace safety.
- On Citizens: Indirectly improves public safety by strengthening protection at federal buildings where citizens interact with government services, such as courthouses or offices, though no direct citizen-facing changes.
- On International Relations: No apparent impacts, as the Act focuses on domestic federal property security.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Protective Service (FPS): Primary implementer, responsible for new processes, evaluations, and reporting.
- Contract Security Personnel and Companies: Subject to enhanced oversight, mandatory training for test failures, and performance reviews, which could affect hiring, training costs, and contract renewals.
- General Services Administration (GSA): Oversees affected buildings; benefits from improved security but may need to coordinate tenant communications.
- Congressional Committees: House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, as recipients of reports influencing future oversight.
- Federal Building Tenants: Agencies and employees who rely on consistent security coverage, gaining from better gap notifications.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces FPS's statutory authority under 40 U.S.C. § 1315 without expanding it, while the savings clause prevents unintended shifts in contractor employee status, avoiding potential labor law complications (e.g., benefits or liability issues). Emphasizes accountability through data-driven processes, aligning with broader federal contracting standards.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; supports executive branch security functions without infringing on individual rights, as it targets operational improvements rather than surveillance or civil liberties.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan interest in federal security efficiency, potentially reducing waste in DHS contracting (a common oversight focus). Annual reports could lead to further legislation if challenges like system costs or contractor compliance arise, influencing budget debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-09: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-09-08: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-09-08: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 0 (Roll no. 241). (text: CR H3877-3878) (Roll call 241)
- 2025-09-08: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 0 (Roll no. 241). (text: CR H3877-3878) (Roll call 241)
- 2025-09-08: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3881-3882)
- 2025-09-08: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- 2025-09-08: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3425.
- 2025-09-08: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3877-3879)
- 2025-09-08: Mr. Barrett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2025-09-08: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 196.
- 2025-09-08: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-239.
- 2025-09-08: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-239.
- 2025-06-11: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2025-06-11: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-06-11: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged
Bill Versions
- Personnel Oversight and Shift Tracking Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (8 pages)
- Personnel Oversight and Shift Tracking Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-15 — PDF (5 pages)
- Personnel Oversight and Shift Tracking Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-09 — PDF (6 pages)
- Personnel Oversight and Shift Tracking Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (8 pages)