U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8844
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-10T08:07:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation corrects the inequitable denial of enhanced retirement and annuity benefits for certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers who received job offers before July 6, 2008, but began service on or after that date.
Key Provisions
- Defines an "Eligible Individual" as anyone who received a tentative CBP Officer offer before July 6, 2008, and started duty on or after that date due to the offer.
- Treats Eligible Individuals as if they were serving on July 6, 2008, under section 535(e) of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008.
- Grants them the minimum annuity amount and an exemption from mandatory retirement under 5 U.S.C. 8425(b)(1).
- Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to create a list of Eligible Individuals, notify them, and provide necessary data to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) within 120 days.
- Directs OPM to implement annuity corrections, including retroactive adjustments for those who already retired.
- Allows the Secretary to retroactively waive the maximum entry age requirement under 5 U.S.C. 3307(g) as needed.
- Requires OPM, in consultation with the Secretary, to issue implementation guidance.
- Mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of CBP hiring practices related to enhanced retirement eligibility, with a report due to congressional committees within 18 months.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adjusts the application of the 2008 DHS Appropriations Act transition rules to include previously excluded officers, effectively expanding eligibility for enhanced benefits without altering the underlying statutes. It introduces retroactive waivers and corrections to address prior denials.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Increases administrative workload for DHS, CBP, and OPM to identify, notify, and adjust benefits for affected officers; requires GAO oversight and reporting.
- Citizens: Provides improved retirement annuities and delayed mandatory retirement for qualifying CBP Officers and their survivors.
- International relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Eligible CBP Officers and retirees.
- Department of Homeland Security and CBP.
- Office of Personnel Management.
- Government Accountability Office.
- Congressional committees on homeland security and government reform.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure addresses an administrative inequity through technical corrections, potentially resolving disputes over benefit eligibility under existing federal retirement laws. No constitutional issues are raised in the bill. It reflects bipartisan sponsorship and focuses on internal government personnel policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- 2026-05-20: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-05-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- 2026-05-15: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
- 2026-05-15: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
- 2026-05-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act — issued 2026-05-15 — PDF (5 pages)