Employment Abundance Act

The Employment Abundance Act would require federal procurement and human resources regulators to push federal contractors and executive agencies to examine every job classification to see whether a bachelor's degree or higher is truly necessary. Within one year of enactment, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (which oversees federal contracting rules) must issue regulations requiring contractors to review their job classifications and determine if degree requirements are demonstrably essential for job performance. Separately, the Office of Personnel Management must issue regulations requiring executive agencies to review classifications related to appointments or promotions. Then, within 180 days after those regulations take effect, contractors and agencies must report the results of their reviews and outline plans to revise any unnecessary degree requirements, including alternatives such as relevant work experience, certificates, or skills assessments. Noncompliance could lead to administrative consequences, including potential loss of future contracts for contractors and various remedies for agencies. The bill also preserves a carve-out allowing degree requirements when they are demonstrably necessary due to performance needs or legal/licensing standards, and makes clear the reforms apply only to positions created or filled after the regs become effective.