Performance Enhancement Reform Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2617) to amend section 1115 of title 31, United States Code, to amend the description of how performance goals are achieved, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 2617

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Performance Enhancement Reform Act''. SEC. 2. AMENDMENT.

Section 1115 of title 31, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by amending subsection (b)(5) to read as follows:

``(5) provide a description of how the performance goals are to be achieved, including--

``(A) the human capital, training, data and evidence, information technology, and skill sets required to meet the performance goals;

``(B) the technology modernization investments, system upgrades, staff technology skills and expertise, stakeholder input and feedback, and other resources and strategies needed and required to meet the performance goals;

``(C) clearly defined milestones;

``(D) an identification of the organizations, program activities, regulations, policies, operational processes, and other activities that contribute to each performance goal, both within and external to the agency;

``(E) a description of how the agency is working with other agencies and the organizations identified in subparagraph (D) to measure and achieve its performance goals as well as relevant Federal Government performance goals; and

``(F) an identification of the agency officials responsible for the achievement of each performance goal, who shall be known as goal leaders;''; and

(2) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:

``(g) Preparation of Performance Plan.--The Chief Performance Improvement Office (or the functional equivalent) shall collaborate with the Chief Human Capital Officer (or the functional equivalent), the Chief Information Officer (or the functional equivalent), the Chief Data Officer (or the functional equivalent), and the Chief Financial Officer (or the functional equivalent) to prepare that portion of the annual performance plan described under subsection (b)(5).''. SEC. 3. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. NORTON. 2617.

Mr. Speaker, the Performance Enhancement Reform Act, introduced by Government Operations subcommittee chair Gerry Connolly and Ranking Member Jody Hice, builds on the Government Performance and Reform Act of 1993. That law requires Federal agencies to develop 5-year strategic plans and annual performance plans and reports.

The law was updated in 2010 to require greater involvement by the Office of Management and Budget to incorporate governmentwide priority goals and to improve accountability by requiring agencies to publish these plans and reports online.

The Performance Enhancement Reform Act would require the development of a more comprehensive annual performance plan through collaboration between senior agency leaders, including chief human capital officers, chief performance officers, chief information officers, and the chief financial officer.

The bill would also require agency performance plans to include descriptions of any skill set the agency needs to meet its performance goals. This would be an important reform to identify any gaps in expertise or resources an agency must address to accomplish its goals.

This commonsense, bipartisan measure will enhance agency management and strengthen the focus on achieving the agencies' missions.

I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 2617, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 2617, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source