The ROOMIE Act would require federal agencies to reshape their workplace policies to emphasize in-person work and higher occupancy of office space. Within 120 days of enactment, agency heads must update policies to ensure at least 80 percent of employees work in-person five days a week (excluding public holidays) and that at least 60 percent of usable office space in federal civilian facilities is occupied by agency employees. If an agency cannot meet the 60 percent occupancy target, it must submit an occupancy plan within a year detailing how it will reach that level, prioritizing staff from different agencies to achieve the goal. A Comptroller General report would assess implementation within a year after the policy deadlines. If an agency does not comply, property may be sold, leases may be terminated, or leases may not be renewed. The bill cites government reports highlighting underutilized federal properties and related health and cost concerns as rationale.
Key Points
- 1Short title: Reinforce Occupancy Obligations for Maximized Interagency Efficiency Act (ROOMIE Act).
- 2In-person work requirement: Not less than 80 percent of an agency’s employees must work in-person Monday through Friday, excluding certain legal holidays.
- 3Space occupancy requirement: Not less than 60 percent of the usable square feet of the agency’s office space in federal civilian real property must be occupied by agency employees.
- 4Occupancy plan option: If an agency cannot meet the 60 percent occupancy target due to staffing, it must file an occupancy plan within one year explaining how it will reach 60 percent, with emphasis on cross-agency staffing where appropriate.
- 5Compliance and consequences: If an agency fails to comply, the government may sell or terminate ownership/leases, or not renew leases for the relevant property, with property-specific actions dictated by whether the space is owned or leased.