What does Preamble of TALENTS Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'To establish the Presidential Management Fellows Program, and for other purposes.' The bill aims to establish the Presidential Management Fellows Program.

What does SHORT TITLE. of TALENTS Act do?

This bill is formally titled the "Training Aspiring Leaders Emerging Now To Serve Act" or the "TALENTS Act".

What does DEFINITIONS. of TALENTS Act do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. The terms 'advanced degree' and 'qualifying educational institution' are defined by reference to 5 CFR 362.102. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) can determine if a master's certificate qualifies as an advanced degree. ’Agency’ is defined as an ‘Executive agency’ as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105, and includes the Government Publishing Office. An 'Agency PMF Coordinator' is responsible for coordinating Program-related activities within an agency and must meet criteria outlined in 5 CFR 362.104(a)(8). The 'Director' refers to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. An 'Executive Resources Board' is defined by 5 CFR 317.501(a) or, if an agency lacks such a board, the senior official responsible for executive resources. A 'Federal Executive Board' is established under section 11 of the Act. A 'Fellow' is an individual appointed to serve under the Program. The 'Director' also defines 'metropolitan area'. The 'principal area officer' is the senior agency official in a metropolitan area with no superior within that area (except in the regional office). The 'Program' refers to the Presidential Management Fellows Program established by this Act.

What does PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION. of TALENTS Act do?

This section establishes the Presidential Management Fellows Program to attract talented individuals to the Federal service. The Director of the program determines the number of finalists appointed as Fellows each fiscal year, considering input from the Chief Human Capital Officers Council and other agencies. During fiscal years 2026 through 2031, the number of Fellow positions must be 200 percent of the number in the preceding fiscal year. The Director is responsible for establishing qualification requirements for applicants. Agencies can appoint Director-selected finalists as Fellows, aligning with their leadership and recruitment needs. Agencies appointing Fellows outside of Washington, D.C. may offer and fund developmental rotations to headquarters and encourage interaction with regional Federal Executive Boards.

What does ANNOUNCEMENT, ELIGIBILITY, AND SELECTION. of TALENTS Act do?

The Director is required to annually announce the ability to apply for the Program and conduct a competition to select finalists. To be eligible for the Program, an individual must have obtained an advanced degree from a qualifying institution within two years of the announcement date, or be expected to complete such a degree by August 31 of the competition year. Individuals may apply to the Program multiple times, but finalists who reapply in the subsequent year will forfeit their finalist status. Fellows must have completed an advanced degree within two years prior to beginning their fellowship. The Director will select finalists based on a structured assessment process and may grant preference to individuals eligible under 5 U.S.C. section 2108. The Director is required to publish and distribute a list of Fellow finalists to agencies.

What does APPOINTMENT AND EXTENSION. of TALENTS Act do?

This section outlines the appointment and extension procedures for individuals participating in the Program. Agencies may make 2-year appointments to the Program under the excepted service, following specific regulations. Fellows must be appointed using a specific excepted service appointing authority. The Director establishes an eligibility period for agencies to appoint Fellow finalists. Agencies may extend a Fellow's term for up to 120 days to address rare or unusual circumstances. Fellows can be appointed at the GS-09, GS-11, or GS-12 level, or equivalent pay grades. The appointment of a Fellow is considered a trial period, not a probationary period. Fellows generally have a full-time work schedule, but may request a part-time schedule for up to 180 days. Part-time schedule approval requires demonstrating it won't negatively impact Program requirements and specifying a time period. Appointments under the Program are considered to be made using Direct-Hire Authority under sections 3115 or 3116 of title 5, United States Code.

What does DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION, PROMOTION, AND CERTIFICATION. of TALENTS Act do?

This section outlines requirements for the development, evaluation, promotion, and certification of Fellows participating in the Program. Each agency head must approve an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for each Fellow within 90 days of the Program's start, detailing mutually agreed-upon developmental activities. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is responsible for providing leadership development activities and training information to Fellows. Agencies must provide Fellows with at least 80 hours of formal interactive training per year, aligned with their IDPs, excluding mandatory annual training. Each Fellow must be assigned a mentor, a managerial employee outside their chain of command, within 90 days of their appointment. Agencies are required to provide Fellows with at least one rotational or developmental assignment, lasting between 120 and 180 days, with management or technical responsibilities. The Executive Resources Board (ERB) evaluates Fellows and determines certification of completion, with Fellows able to request reconsideration if not certified. A Fellow certified as meeting Program requirements is eligible for conversion in accordance with section 10.

What does MOVEMENT BETWEEN AGENCIES. of TALENTS Act do?

This section outlines the process for a Fellow to move to another agency during their appointment. To move, the receiving agency must meet program requirements, the original agency must release the appointment, and the new agency must appoint the Fellow without a service break. A Fellow moving agencies under this section does not begin a new Program period. Time served under the previous appointment counts towards completion of the Program with the new agency. Agencies must notify the Director upon making an appointment resulting from a move. If a move occurs within the first 180 days, the initial agency may request reimbursement of 1/4 of the placement fee from the new agency.

What does WITHDRAWAL AND READMISSION. of TALENTS Act do?

This section outlines the procedures for a Fellow's withdrawal from and potential readmission to the Program. A Fellow may withdraw from the Program at any time, which is treated as a resignation from Federal service, but existing obligations remain. Agencies must notify the Director when a Fellow withdraws. Fellows who previously held permanent competitive service appointments and withdraw without misconduct, poor performance, or suitability issues may be placed in a permanent position at the agency's discretion. Readmission to the Program is prohibited if a Fellow withdraws due to misconduct, poor performance, or suitability concerns. Fellows who withdraw for other reasons may petition their original agency for readmission and reappointment. The Director has the authority to overrule an agency's approval of a readmission petition, and this decision is not subject to appeal.

What does REMOVAL AND REDUCTION IN FORCE. of TALENTS Act do?

Agencies may remove Fellows for misconduct, poor performance, or suitability, requiring written notification to the Director. A Fellow's appointment ends at the end of the 2-year Program period, or any approved extension under section 5(b), unless converted under section 10. If an agency fails to convert or extend a Fellow's appointment, it expires 30 days after denial of Program completion certification under section 6(d)(3) or denial of an extension request. Fellows are placed in the excepted service group II for purposes of section 351.502 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.

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TALENTS Act

Last updated: 5/14/2025 · Introduced: 5/14/2025

Author: Andy Kim (D-NJ)

TL;DR (AI)

The TALENTS Act establishes the Presidential Management Fellows Program to attract talented individuals to the Federal service.
During fiscal years 2026 through 2031, the program requires a significant increase in the number of Fellow positions, doubling the number each year.
Agencies appointing Fellows are encouraged to provide developmental rotations and interaction with Federal Executive Boards to enhance their experience.
The Act mandates that agencies provide Fellows with at least 80 hours of formal interactive training annually and assign them a mentor outside their direct chain of command.
Fellows who successfully complete the program and are certified are eligible for conversion to term or permanent positions in the competitive service.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 6700(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 11 more.

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