Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7033
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-13: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-14T08:05:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 aims to improve recruitment and retention of federal correctional officers employed by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) by providing targeted pay increases. It addresses staffing challenges, such as excessive overtime and the use of non-custodial staff for custodial duties (known as "augmentation"), to enhance institutional safety and operational efficiency.
Key Provisions
- Special Pay Rates for General Schedule Employees: Introduces a new section (5332b) in title 5 of the U.S. Code, entitling "Federal correctional officers" to a special base rate of pay. This rate is calculated as a 35% increase over the standard General Schedule base rate (or Law Enforcement Officer special base rate, if applicable), rounded to the nearest dollar, and capped at the pay level for Executive Schedule level V. The special rate counts as basic pay for purposes like locality adjustments, overtime, and retirement benefits under chapters 83 and 84.
- Definition of Federal Correctional Officer: Includes BOP employees whose primary duties involve custody, control, supervision of inmates, or routine direct contact in a custodial setting. It also covers certain supervisory or administrative roles that would qualify if they involved such duties, as determined by the Office of Personnel Management.
- Pay Increases for Wage System Employees: Amends section 5343 to provide a 35% increase in wage rates for covered BOP employees in the Federal Wage System (up to grade 9) whose roles involve inmate custody or contact. This increase is basic pay, capped at the annual rate for Executive Schedule level IV.
- Sunset and Review Mechanism: The pay authorities expire after 5 years unless extended. The Department of Justice Inspector General must review the BOP's progress 180 days before expiration, assessing reductions in augmentation and overtime, as well as impacts on recruitment, retention, and safety. If measurable progress is shown, the authorities continue indefinitely; the review report goes to Congress.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new subsection (5332b) to subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, U.S. Code, creating a dedicated pay structure for correctional officers, separate from but building on existing General Schedule and Law Enforcement Officer rates.
- Modifies section 5343 by adding subsection (h) to extend similar 35% pay boosts to prevailing rate (wage grade) employees, which previously lacked such targeted enhancements.
- Introduces a conditional sunset clause tied to performance metrics, differing from permanent pay adjustments in other federal statutes. These changes do not alter core pay computation laws (e.g., sections 5304 for locality pay) but integrate the new rates into them.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The BOP, part of the Department of Justice, may see improved staffing levels, reduced overtime costs, and safer facilities, potentially lowering turnover and training expenses. However, it could increase federal payroll costs by an estimated 35% for affected positions, straining the agency's budget.
- On Citizens: Indirect benefits include enhanced prison safety and operations, which could reduce risks of incidents affecting public safety or taxpayer-funded liabilities from understaffing.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic federal workforce management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Correctional Officers: Primary beneficiaries through higher base pay, potentially improving job satisfaction, retention, and work-life balance by curbing mandatory overtime.
- Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Directly tasked with implementing pay changes and demonstrating progress to avoid sunset; gains from better recruitment but faces administrative and budgetary adjustments.
- Department of Justice: Oversees BOP compliance; the Inspector General conducts the required review, influencing whether pay boosts continue.
- U.S. Taxpayers and Congress: Bear the cost of pay increases; Congress receives the Inspector General's report to decide on extensions or modifications.
- Office of Personnel Management: Involved in defining qualifying positions for non-law enforcement roles.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a performance-based extension mechanism, which could set a precedent for conditional federal pay laws, ensuring accountability while avoiding indefinite entitlements. The pay caps align with Executive Schedule limits to prevent disparities with senior officials.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it operates within Congress's authority over federal compensation (Article I, Section 6) and personnel management, without infringing on due process or equal protection by targeting a specific occupational group.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) highlights cross-aisle support for prison staff issues, potentially influencing future labor reforms. The 5-year sunset introduces fiscal oversight, appealing to budget-conscious lawmakers, but success depends on the Inspector General's objective assessment, which could spark debates on measurement criteria for "measurable progress."
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
Cosponsors (48)
Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-13: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2026-01-13: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-13 — PDF (8 pages)