Saving the Forest Service's Workforce Act
Saving the Forest Service's Workforce Act would temporarily pause most downsizing actions at the U.S. Forest Service. Until full-year budget appropriations for the Forest Service for fiscal year 2026 are enacted, the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Forest Service Chief) may not initiate or carry out any reduction in force, nor involuntarily separate any employee in the competitive service, any career employee in the excepted service, or any career appointee in the Senior Executive Service, except for (1) misconduct, (2) delinquency, or (3) performance issues. The bill preserves other personnel authorities and procedures, including existing rights under Title 5 of the U.S. Code (and Chapter 75 on adverse actions), and clarifies that the moratorium is in addition to those authorities. A voluntary departure would not be covered by the “involuntary separation” restriction. The act is titled the Saving the Forest Service's Workforce Act. In short, the bill freezes most involuntary staffing actions at the Forest Service while funding for FY2026 is being finalized, with limited exceptions for serious personnel problems.
Key Points
- 1Moratorium scope and duration: Prevents reductions in force and involuntary separations at the Forest Service until full-year appropriations for FY2026 are enacted into Law.
- 2Involuntary separations: Prohibits involuntary separations of employees in the competitive service, excepted service, or Senior Executive Service, except for cause related to misconduct, delinquency, or performance.
- 3Exceptions and authorities: The moratorium is in addition to existing adverse action authorities under the law (including Chapter 75 of Title 5 U.S.C.).
- 4Definitions: Applies the standard federal classifications (competitive service, excepted service, and Senior Executive Service) as defined in 5 U.S.C. sections 2102, 2103, and 3132(a).
- 5Short title: The act is named the Saving the Forest Service's Workforce Act.