H.R. 2050 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2050 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 17, 2013 Mr. Ross introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform A BILL To ensure the timely issuance of regulations by Federal agencies. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the No Regulations, No Pay Act of 2013. 2. Holding pay of responsible official in escrow upon failure to issue regulations in timely manner (a) Holding salary in escrow (1) In general If, by the date specified by law, an agency has not issued regulations required by such law, during the period described in paragraph (2), the payroll administrator of that agency shall deposit in an escrow account all amounts of basic pay otherwise payable to the individual who (with respect to such regulations) is the responsible official of such agency, and shall release such amounts to such official only upon the expiration of such period. (2) Period described With respect to a responsible official whose pay is withheld under paragraph (1) for failing to issue regulations in timely fashion, the period described in this paragraph is the period— (A) beginning on the day after the date specified by law for the issuance of such regulations; and (B) ending on the date on which such regulations are issued. (3) Withholding and remittance of amounts from payments held in escrow The payroll administrator shall provide for the same withholding and remittance with respect to a payment deposited in an escrow account under paragraph (1) that would apply to the payment if the payment were not subject to paragraph (1). (4) Release of amounts at end of appointment Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the payroll administrator shall release for payment to a responsible official whose pay has been withheld under this section any pay which was so withheld from such official and which remains in an escrow account under this section on the last day on which that individual serves in the office by virtue of which such individual is considered to be the responsible official. (5) Role of Secretary of the Treasury The Secretary of the Treasury shall provide a payroll administrator of an agency with such assistance as may be necessary to enable such payroll administrator to carry out this section. (b) Definitions For purposes of this Act— (1) the term agency means an Executive agency within the meaning of section 105 of title 5, United States Code; (2) the term regulation means a rule, within the meaning of section 551 of title 5, United States Code, required by law to be issued by a date certain; (3) the term responsible official, as used with respect to any regulations, is— (A) the specific official who is required by law to issue such regulations; or (B) if no specific official is provided for, the head of the agency involved; (4) the term official means an individual holding a position to which appointments are made by confirmation of the Senate, but does not include a member of the armed forces (as defined by section 2101 of title 5, United States Code); and (5) the term payroll administrator, as used with respect to a responsible official within an agency, means the person within such agency who is responsible for disbursing the basic pay of such official. 3. Effective date This Act shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to any regulations required to be issued by a date occurring on or after such date, except that, in no event shall any amount be deposited into an escrow account under this Act which (disregarding this Act) would otherwise be payable during the 30-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.