Legis Daily

ROOMIE Act

USA119th CongressS-102| Senate 
| Updated: 1/15/2025
John Kennedy

John Kennedy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to address the significant underutilization of federal office space by imposing strict in-person work and occupancy requirements on Federal agencies. Within 120 days of enactment, each agency head must modify policies to require that not less than 80 percent of employees work in-person Monday through Friday each week. Additionally, agencies must ensure that not less than 60 percent of the usable square feet of their office space is occupied by employees. These requirements are based on findings from the Government Accountability Office, the Public Buildings Reform Board, and the GSA Office of Inspector General, which highlight widespread underutilization, billions in wasted spending, and potential health risks in underoccupied federal buildings. An exception to the 60% occupancy rule allows agencies with insufficient staff to submit an occupancy plan within one year, detailing how they will achieve the target, potentially by accommodating employees from other Federal agencies. Failure to comply with these in-person work and occupancy mandates by the specified deadlines will trigger significant consequences. For properties owned or controlled by a non-compliant agency, the property must be sold. If the property is leased, the agency or the General Services Administration must either terminate the lease early, if provisions allow, or be prohibited from re-signing the lease upon its expiration. The Comptroller General is also required to submit a report to Congress within one year regarding the implementation of these new requirements.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5647
ROOMIE Act
Jan 15, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 15, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5647
    ROOMIE Act


  • January 15, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 15, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Government Operations and Politics

Congressional oversightGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementLease and rental services

ROOMIE Act

USA119th CongressS-102| Senate 
| Updated: 1/15/2025
This legislation aims to address the significant underutilization of federal office space by imposing strict in-person work and occupancy requirements on Federal agencies. Within 120 days of enactment, each agency head must modify policies to require that not less than 80 percent of employees work in-person Monday through Friday each week. Additionally, agencies must ensure that not less than 60 percent of the usable square feet of their office space is occupied by employees. These requirements are based on findings from the Government Accountability Office, the Public Buildings Reform Board, and the GSA Office of Inspector General, which highlight widespread underutilization, billions in wasted spending, and potential health risks in underoccupied federal buildings. An exception to the 60% occupancy rule allows agencies with insufficient staff to submit an occupancy plan within one year, detailing how they will achieve the target, potentially by accommodating employees from other Federal agencies. Failure to comply with these in-person work and occupancy mandates by the specified deadlines will trigger significant consequences. For properties owned or controlled by a non-compliant agency, the property must be sold. If the property is leased, the agency or the General Services Administration must either terminate the lease early, if provisions allow, or be prohibited from re-signing the lease upon its expiration. The Comptroller General is also required to submit a report to Congress within one year regarding the implementation of these new requirements.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5647
ROOMIE Act
Jan 15, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 15, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5647
    ROOMIE Act


  • January 15, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 15, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
John Kennedy

John Kennedy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Government Operations and Politics

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementLease and rental services