S.Amdt. 3206

SA 3206, submitted by Mr. Curtis, aims to modernize the pay comparability system within the larger bill for fiscal year 2026 military and energy authorizations.

The amendment adds a requirement for the Pay Agent to review the methods used to decide comparability payments. This review must be done within 180 days of the Act's enactment and involves consulting with the Federal Salary Council, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and the Secretary of Defense.

The purpose of this change is to:

• Assess if payments align with labor market data and cost-of-living indicators, such as the Consumer Price Index, House Price Index, and data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Analyze pay disparities specifically in Utah and regional disparities that affect hiring and keeping federal employees in defense roles, using Utah as a case study.
• Create alternative models for payments based on economic indicators, regional housing trends (specifically in Layton, Ogden, and Salt Lake City, Utah), and comparisons between General Schedule and non-General Schedule positions.

Additionally, the amendment adds a pilot program lasting up to 3 years. This program allows the Pay Agent to use these new alternative models to determine payments in Utah and other areas with similar pay disparities, provided that Congress and the public are notified first.