S.Amdt. 5900

SA 5900 is an amendment proposed by Mrs. Shaheen to be added to bill S. 4784. This bill deals with military and energy department appropriations for fiscal year 2027.

The purpose of this amendment is to establish special rules for certain civilian Department of Defense employees who have received lump-sum payments for anomalous health incidents.

The amendment aims to add the following to the bill:

• Compensation Increases: It allows the Secretary of Defense to increase monthly compensation for covered employees. The amount would be set to equal 75 percent of the maximum rate of basic pay plus locality-based comparability payment for a GS-15, step 10 in the Washington, D.C. area.

• Ease of Administration: The Secretary must ensure these increases happen without the employee needing to submit a new application or go through more adjudication.

• Guidelines: If this authority is used, the Secretary must create guidelines within 180 days of the Act's enactment, coordinating with a specific cross-functional team.

• Limitations:

• It does not change compensation rules for anyone who is not a covered employee.

• Payments are not required after the employee's disability relating to a qualifying brain injury is no longer total.

• It does not change the scope of medical care or services provided under other laws, including the HAVANA Act of 2021.

• Expiration: This section will stop being effective one year after the Act is enacted.