the Appropriations Compliance and Training Act

The Appropriations Compliance and Training Act would amend title 5 of the U.S. Code to require certain executive branch employees to complete a mandatory annual training course on appropriations law. Covered employees include those in high-level civil service grades (GS 11 and above), political appointees, and Senior Executive Service members. The training must be completed within 1 year for current covered employees and within 60 days for new appointees, with annual refreshers thereafter. Agencies have options for delivering the training: use the GAO training, create an internal agency course, or use courses from other government bodies or contractors. Any agency-created or contractor-provided course requires approval from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Comptroller General. The course must cover core topics such as the constitutional/statutory framework for appropriations, the Purpose Statute, the Antideficiency Act, the bona fide needs rule, the Impoundment Control Act, review of the current appropriation Act, potential penalties for violations, and other related provisions. Agencies must certify completion, report annually to OMB, and keep permanent notes in personnel records. Noncompliance triggers penalties, including suspension of budgetary authority and pay bonuses after 45 days and suspension from IT access after 60 days, with annual public reporting of compliance and agency accountability requirements. The act also directs implementation guidance from OPM and requires each agency to submit a compliance plan within 120 days.