Federal Managers Association

In the News

• Bills on Management Policies, Probationary Periods Advancing in Congress - February 20, 2026

• FEDweek-
  
  The Congressional Budget Office has issued a cost estimate, which readies a bill for floor voting, on HR-5750, which would extend the probationary period for most new federal employees from one to two years.

  The bill further would require that agencies make an affirmative determination whether to keep employees before their trial periods end—and they gain additional appeal rights—effectively preventing probationers from gaining tenured status by default.

  The CBO put the cost at less than $500,000 over five years, notifying that the certification requirement already is in effect through a 2025 executive order. Also as in the executive order, agencies would not need to provide an explanation to employees not retained.

  To read the full article, click here.

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