119-HR-5749 Journalist Public Summary
119 · HR 5749 Official Time Reporting Act
A Republican-led bill would require the Office of Personnel Management to publish a yearly, public report showing how much “official time” (on‑the‑clock union representation) federal employees use, what it costs, and how it’s used; backers frame it as basic transparency, while labor groups warn such reporting can be used to justify future limits; it has been introduced and considered in committee but not yet advanced further.
Headline Summary
Make OPM publish a clear, annual, public report on federal employees’ “official time” (paid hours for union representation)—showing hours, costs, uses, and where it’s happening.
What It Does
The bill amends federal labor law to require OPM to issue an annual report by March 31 covering the prior fiscal year. Agencies must send OPM standardized data by December 31. The report would show: total hours used; average hours per bargaining‑unit employee; how many employees used official time; what activities it covered; effects on operations; costs (pay, benefits, travel); dues withheld through payroll; and the value of any free or discounted government space or resources provided. If an agency’s rate rises year‑over‑year, it must explain why. “Official time” here means paid work hours for union representational duties (not internal union business). [1]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R.605 — 116th Congress: Official Time Re…
Why it matters: It standardizes public reporting on a recurring point of debate in federal labor relations. Recent reporting citing OPM’s latest compilation puts government‑wide official‑time use at about 3.2 million hours in FY2024 (about $208 million in salary/benefit costs), though that report has not been prominently posted by OPM. [2]FEDweek — Official Time Rose by a Quarter over 2019–2024, Says OPM Report (FEDw…
Who’s For It
- Sponsors: Rep. Virginia Foxx (R‑NC), Rep. James Comer (R‑KY), and Rep. Gary Palmer (R‑AL).
- Supporters say a consistent, public report will improve transparency, help compare agencies over time, and spotlight trends and costs.
- Similar Republican proposals have appeared before (e.g., the 2019 Official Time Reporting Act). [1]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R.605 — 116th Congress: Official Time Re…
Who’s Against It
- Federal employee unions and some Democrats have raised alarms when administrations seek expanded official‑time data, viewing it as a step toward cutting or restricting that time. They argue it can stigmatize lawful representation work that helps resolve disputes and negotiate contracts. [5]Washington Post — White House seeks data on federal staffers’ union work, raisi…
- Critics also note that official time is for representational duties (not internal union business) and is authorized in statute. [1]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R.605 — 116th Congress: Official Time Re…
What’s Next
Status as of December 3, 2025: H.R. 5749 was introduced on October 14, 2025, referred to the House Oversight Committee, and had a committee markup on December 2, 2025. Next likely step is a committee vote to send it to the full House; if it passes there, it would move to the Senate.
- [1] H.R.605 — 116th Congress: Official Time Reporting Act (Congress.gov) Congress.gov (Library of Congress)
- [2] Official Time Rose by a Quarter over 2019–2024, Says OPM Report (FEDweek) FEDweek
- [3] Labor Relations Activities: Actions Needed to Improve Tracking and Reporting of the Use and Cost of Official Time (GAO-15-9) U.S. Government Accountability Office
- [4] Agency Reporting to OPM for Fiscal Year 2024 Taxpayer-Funded Union Time Use (CHCO Council) CHCOC (OPM)
- [5] White House seeks data on federal staffers’ union work, raising alarms (Washington Post) Washington Post
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