H.R.4008 - Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 4008, the "Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act," aims to amend Title 5 of the United States Code to increase locality pay rates for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees whose duty stations are designated as "Rest of U.S.". The bill proposes that these employees' official worksites be considered located in the nearest pay locality with a higher comparability payment, provided it's within 200 miles. This adjustment intends to provide fairer compensation to correctional officers in areas where the cost of living may be higher than reflected by the "Rest of U.S." designation.
Expected Effects
The bill, if enacted, would result in increased pay for eligible Bureau of Prisons employees. This would likely improve morale and potentially reduce employee turnover in affected facilities. The change would take effect 180 days after enactment.
Potential Benefits
- Increased compensation for Bureau of Prisons employees in certain locations.
- Improved morale and potentially reduced turnover among correctional officers.
- A more accurate reflection of the cost of living for employees in areas near higher-paying localities.
- May attract more qualified candidates to work in correctional facilities.
- Could lead to improved public safety due to better-staffed and more motivated correctional facilities.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increased costs to the federal government due to higher salary expenses.
- Possible inequities if some employees are just outside the 200-mile radius and do not receive the increased pay.
- Complexity in determining the "nearest" pay locality and the "highest comparability payment".
- May create pressure for similar pay adjustments for other federal employees in similar situations.
- Could be perceived as unfair by other federal employees who do not receive similar locality pay adjustments.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the General Welfare Clause (Preamble), as it aims to improve the well-being of government employees. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to provide for the general welfare of the United States, which can be interpreted to include ensuring fair compensation for federal employees. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).