H.R. 159 · 118th Congress · House

Chance to Compete Act of 2023

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced
Jan 9, 23
Passed House
Jan 24, 23
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

Chance to Compete Act of 2023

This bill modifies examination requirements and other components of the federal hiring process for positions in the competitive service.

Specifically, the bill provides that a qualifying examination includes a résumé review that is conducted by a subject matter expert. Additionally, beginning two years after the bill's enactment, the bill prohibits examinations from consisting solely of a self-assessment from an automated examination, a résumé review that is not conducted by a subject matter expert, or any other method of assessing an applicant's experience or education; an agency may waive these requirements when necessary but must report any such waivers and may not use waivers to fill more than 10% of agency positions.

Agencies may use subject matter experts to develop position-specific technical assessments that allow applicants to demonstrate job-related skills, abilities, and knowledge; assessments may include structured interviews, work-related exercises, procedures to measure career-related qualifications and interests, or other similar assessments. The bill also allows agencies to establish talent teams to support and improve hiring practices.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must create online platforms through which agencies may share and customize technical assessments and share the résumés of qualifying applicants. The OPM must also create online platforms with information about (1) the types of assessments used and hiring outcomes, (2) educational requirements for certain positions and related justifications, and (3) authorities and programs that support agency recruitment and retention.

Previous Versions

00Jan 9, 2023

Chance to Compete Act of 2023

This bill modifies examination requirements and other components of the federal hiring process for positions in the competitive service.

Specifically, the bill provides that a qualifying examination includes a résumé review that is conducted by a subject matter expert. Additionally, beginning two years after the bill's enactment, the bill prohibits examinations from consisting solely of a self-assessment from an automated examination, a résumé review that is not conducted by a subject matter expert, or any other method of assessing an applicant's experience or education; an agency may waive these requirements when necessary but must report any such waivers and may not use waivers to fill more than 10% of agency positions.

Agencies may use subject matter experts to develop position-specific technical assessments that allow applicants to demonstrate job-related skills, abilities, and knowledge; assessments may include structured interviews, work-related exercises, procedures to measure career-related qualifications and interests, or other similar assessments. The bill also allows agencies to establish talent teams to support and improve hiring practices.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must create online platforms through which agencies may share and customize technical assessments and share the résumés of qualifying applicants. The OPM must also create online platforms with information about (1) the types of assessments used and hiring outcomes, (2) educational requirements for certain positions and related justifications, and (3) authorities and programs that support agency recruitment and retention.

Action Timeline

14
  1. JAN 25, 2023IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

  2. JAN 24, 2023IntroReferral

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H261)

  3. JAN 24, 2023Floor

    Mr

    Comer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  4. JAN 24, 2023Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H258-262)

    258Yea
    262Nay
    0NV
  5. JAN 24, 2023Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 159.

  6. JAN 24, 2023Floor

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  7. JAN 24, 2023Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H265-266)

    265Yea
    266Nay
    0NV
  8. JAN 24, 2023Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #32

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 2 (Roll no. 32). (text: CR H259-261)

    422Yea
    2Nay
    0NV
  9. JAN 24, 2023Floor

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 2 (Roll no. 32). (text: CR H259-261)

    Roll Call #32
    422Yea
    2Nay
    0NV
  10. JAN 24, 2023Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  11. JAN 09, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  12. JAN 09, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  13. JAN 09, 2023IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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.

  14. JAN 09, 2023IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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.

Committees

3

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

ssga00

Referred: Jan 25, 2023

Active

Budget Committee

hsbu00

Referred: Jan 9, 2023

Active

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

hsgo00

Referred: Jan 9, 2023

Active