Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
COST of Relocations Act
A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "COST of Relocations Act," requires Federal agencies to perform specific duties before moving employment positions. Agencies must conduct a benefit-cost analysis and submit an unredacted report to their Office of Inspector General. This analysis must follow economic and social science principles from OMB Circular A-4. The Office of Inspector General then reviews these findings and submits a report to specific Congressional committees. The act focuses on "covered relocations," which involve moving or replacing a significant percentage of a workforce.
Yes
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill increases transparency by requiring public reports on federal position relocations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency: Under Section 2(b)(2)(B), Federal agencies are required to make their relocation reports publicly available, excluding only proprietary or confidential information. This allows the public to see the plans for these moves.
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Improved Planning and Accountability: Section 2(b)(2)(A) requires agencies to include a detailed employee engagement plan, a list of stakeholders, a timeline of engagements, and a comprehensive strategy that identifies specific persons accountable for meeting milestones.
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Assessment of Local Impacts: According to Section 2(b)(2)(A)(vii), the report must include an assessment of how the relocation affects stakeholders served by the positions and those in the destination region.
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Mission Protection: Section 2(b)(2)(A)(ix) and (x) require the agency to analyze how the relocation affects its ability to carry out its mission, both during and after the move.
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Congressional Oversight: Section 2(c) mandates that the Office of Inspector General submit a report to specific House and Senate committees, providing a mechanism for lawmakers to review the data and conclusions of the benefit-cost analysis.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Information Restrictions: While the bill aims for transparency, Section 2(b)(2)(B) notes that the public report will exclude proprietary information, trade secrets, or other confidential information.
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Workforce Disruption: The definition of a "covered relocation" in Section 2(e)(2) involves moves or replacements that affect a significant number of employees (more than 5 percent or 100 employees), which could impact the stability of those employees' positions and commuting areas.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill increases transparency by requiring public reports on federal position relocations.
- 3/27/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia