DECLINE Act
The DECLINE Act would require the heads of federal agencies to establish a formal policy for deactivating and securing government-issued charge cards (such as purchase and travel cards) when an employee separates from the agency. Within 30 days of enactment, each agency must implement procedures to ensure the employee returns the card, it is physically secured, removed from any digital wallets or devices, the card is immediately deactivated and the account closed or suspended, and the issuing bank is notified that the card is no longer valid for the former employee. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review and report on each agency’s compliance, including counts of cards issued and deactivated, internal controls, late fees, and how well agencies report through the bank’s electronic system. The policy also covers a broad set of individuals who may have held high-level or policy-determining roles prior to separation.
Key Points
- 1Defines key terms: agency, charge card, and “covered individual” (employees who separate, retire, or otherwise cease employment, including certain high-level or policy-determining positions).
- 2Policy deadline: agencies must establish and implement the separation policy within 30 days after enactment.
- 3Required separation actions: return of the card, physical safeguarding of the card, removal from digital wallets/devices, immediate deactivation and closing/suspending the account, and reporting the card as no longer valid to the issuing bank.
- 4GAO oversight: a review and report due within 1 year of enactment and annually thereafter, covering (a) counts of cards issued and deactivated, (b) internal controls and misuse/fraud mitigation, (c) implementation status, (d) late fees paid, and (e) the use of the bank’s electronic reporting system.
- 5Short title: “Deactivating and Eliminating Cards Linked to Inactive or Nonexistent Employees Act” or the “DECLINE Act.”