US Congress Senate Bill 2170 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Completed Legislative Action
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: Passed on December 28 2012 - 100% progression
Action: 2012-12-28 - Became Public Law No: 112-230.
Text: Latest bill text (Enrolled) [PDF]

Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012 - (Sec. 2) Allows a state or local officer or employee to be a candidate for partisan elective office unless the salary of such officer or employee is paid completely, directly or indirectly, by loans or grants made by the United States or a federal agency. (Sec. 3) Redefines "state or local agency" for purposes of the Hatch Act to include the executive branch of the District of Columbia, or an agency or department thereof. Extends the exemption from Hatch Act requirements for state or local officers or employees to individuals employed by an educational or research institution, establishment, agency or system supported in whole or in part by the District of Columbia. Extends the exemption from the prohibition against running for elective office to the head of an executive department of the District of Columbia who is not classified under an applicable merit or civil-service system. Extends to agencies of the District of Columbia provisions requiring the the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) to withhold funds from agencies that reappoint employees removed for violating the Hatch Act within 18 months after removal. Exempts individuals employed or holding office in the District of Columbia from provisions of the Hatch Act applicable to federal employees. Makes federal employees living in the District of Columbia eligible to participate in local politics to the same extent as federal employees living in nearby areas of Maryland or Virginia. (Sec. 4) Replaces existing penalty provisions for violations of the Hatch Act to make an offending employee subject to removal (currently, removal is mandatory), reduction in grade, debarment from federal employment for five years, suspension, reprimand, or a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. (Sec. 5) Makes the new penalties imposed by this Act applicable to violations occurring before, on, or after the effective date of this Act, unless, before the effective date of this Act, the Special Counsel has presented a complaint for disciplinary action with respect to an alleged violation or the employee alleged to have committed the violation has entered into a signed settlement agreement with the Special Counsel.

Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012

Sen. Daniel Akaka [D-HI]

Sen. Mike Lee [R-UT]

Sen. Carl Levin [D-MI]

Sen. Joseph Lieberman [I-CT]

Date	Chamber	Action
2012-12-28	House	Became Public Law No: 112-230.
2012-12-28	House	Signed by President.
2012-12-20	House	Presented to President.
2012-12-19	House	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2012-12-19	House	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7320)
2012-12-19	House	DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2170.
2012-12-19	House	Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7320-7323)
2012-12-19	House	Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
2012-12-03	House	Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
2012-12-03	House	Received in the House.
2012-12-03	Senate	Message on Senate action sent to the House.
2012-11-30	Senate	Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7307-7308; text as passed Senate: CR S7307-7308)
2012-09-13	Senate	Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 508.
2012-09-13	Senate	Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 112-211.
2012-06-29	Senate	Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
2012-03-13	Senate	Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
2012-03-07	Senate	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1461-1462)
2012-03-07	Senate	Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1461)

HB4152 (Same As) 2012-03-07 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
HB4186 (Related) 2012-03-08 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/2170/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s2170/BILLS-112s2170is.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s2170/BILLS-112s2170rs.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s2170/BILLS-112s2170es.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s2170/BILLS-112s2170enr.pdf