Bill > HR7003

This bill, known as the BIS STRENGTH Act, authorizes the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security to recruit and appoint highly qualified experts to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) outside of the traditional civil service system to address critical expertise gaps. The Under Secretary will conduct annual studies to identify these gaps, and then can appoint individuals with the necessary expertise, even if they haven't gone through standard civil service hiring processes (which are outlined in sections 3304 and 3309-3318 of title 5, United States Code). These appointments can be for up to five years, with a possible one-year extension if deemed necessary for national security or foreign policy. The bill also sets limits on the pay for these experts, ensuring their total annual compensation does not exceed that of the Vice President, and restricts the total number of such experts to 25 at any given time. Furthermore, the Under Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress detailing the identified expertise gaps, hiring efforts, and the qualifications and impact of these newly appointed experts. This authority will terminate five years after the bill's enactment, though existing appointments will be honored until their term expires or is extended. The bill also includes provisions to protect employees appointed under this authority if the program is terminated early and clarifies that it does not waive any background check or qualification requirements for applicants.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7003/all-info