S.102 - Reinforce Occupancy Obligations for Maximized Interagency Efficiency Act; ROOMIE Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The ROOMIE Act mandates federal agencies to increase in-person work to at least 80% of employees and occupy at least 60% of their office space. It aims to address underutilization of federal properties and potential health risks associated with underutilized buildings. The Act requires agencies to modify their policies accordingly and submit occupancy plans if they cannot meet the occupancy requirements.
Expected Effects
The immediate effect would be a shift in work arrangements for many federal employees, requiring more in-person work. Agencies might need to re-evaluate their real estate holdings, potentially selling or terminating leases for underutilized properties. This could lead to cost savings for the government but also potential disruptions for employees and agencies.
Potential Benefits
- Potential cost savings for taxpayers through the sale or lease termination of underutilized federal properties.
- Reduced health risks associated with underutilized buildings, such as Legionella outbreaks.
- Increased economic activity in areas surrounding federal office buildings due to more employees working in-person.
- Improved interagency collaboration and efficiency through increased in-person interactions.
- More efficient use of existing infrastructure and public services.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential disruption to federal employees' work-life balance and increased commuting costs.
- Possible resistance from federal employees who prefer remote work arrangements.
- Potential for increased operational costs for agencies if they need to reconfigure office spaces to accommodate more in-person workers.
- Risk of reduced employee morale and productivity if employees are forced to work in-person against their preference.
- Possible negative impact on recruitment and retention of federal employees if remote work options are limited.
Constitutional Alignment
The ROOMIE Act appears to be constitutionally permissible under Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to manage federal property and regulate the federal workforce. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Constitution or its amendments. However, the specific implementation of the Act could raise concerns if it leads to discriminatory practices or infringes upon collective bargaining agreements.
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).