H.R. 8010: VA Police Recruitment and Retention Act of 2026

This bill, known as the VA Police Recruitment and Retention Act of 2026, aims to protect law enforcement positions within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by preventing any downgrading of these positions. Here are the main components of the bill:

Prohibition on Position Downgrades

The bill explicitly states that no official within the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Office of Personnel Management, or any other related agency is allowed to propose, initiate, or carry out a downgrade of law enforcement positions that fall under its provisions. Furthermore, federal funds cannot be used for any actions that would result in such downgrades.

Retroactive Application

Any downgrades of covered VA positions that were proposed or implemented between October 1, 2025, and the date the law is enacted will be rendered ineffective. This means that any employee who was affected by a downgrade during this period will have their position restored to its previous status and will be compensated for any pay they missed as a result of the downgrade.

Definitions

• Covered VA Position: This term refers to any position involved in law enforcement activities within the VA, regardless of whether the position is permanent, temporary, full-time, part-time, or intermittent, and regardless of the funding source for the position.
• Position Downgrade: This refers to any action that results in a loss of grade or pay for a position, including those that might occur via reviews or assessments conducted by the Office of Personnel Management or another agency under specific authority outlined in U.S. law.

Implementation Context

The legislation is responsive to concerns about maintaining adequate law enforcement personnel within the VA, especially in light of any recent or future measures that could potentially lessen the status or pay of such positions. By preventing downgrades, the bill aims to ensure the stability and retention of law enforcement personnel within the Department.

Relevant Companies

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