3 versions

CosmeticWhat changed in REFERRED IN SENATEcompared with ENGROSSED IN HOUSE (Jan 15, 2025)

Technical corrections only. The changes between v2 and v3 reflect the bill's procedural movement from the House of Representatives to the Senate, including an update to the attesting Clerk's name. No substantive policy changes were made to the legislative text.

H.R. 144119th CongressIntroduced Jan 3, 2025

Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act

Passed HouseGovernment Operations and PoliticsSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Committees: Environment and Public Works Committee (primary)
Last action: Jan 16, 2025

Bottom line

This bill mandates increased internal reporting of high-level TVA salaries to Congress while simultaneously shielding that specific salary data from public disclosure.

What it actually does

This bill amends the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to require the TVA to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the names, salaries, and duties of all management-level employees, executives, and board members earning at or above the maximum GS-15 pay rate. Crucially, it explicitly exempts this specific salary information from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act and the Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act.

Proponents argue

Supporters argue this bill enhances congressional oversight of the Tennessee Valley Authority by providing detailed salary information for its highest-paid employees directly to Congress. They contend that this internal transparency allows lawmakers to better monitor executive compensation practices and ensure accountability within the federal corporation, without exposing sensitive personal financial data to the general public.

Opponents contend

Opponents might argue that labeling this bill the "Salary Transparency Act" is misleading, as it explicitly exempts the detailed salary information from public disclosure under FOIA. They could contend that true transparency requires public access to this data, allowing taxpayers and watchdogs to scrutinize how a federally owned corporation compensates its top officials, rather than limiting it to congressional eyes only.

The bill is extremely short and can be read and understood in a few minutes, making it highly accessible for public review.

Section 2(1) and 2(2) of H.R. 144, amending Section 9(a) of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933.

Requirement for TVA to Report High-Level Employee Salaries and Duties to Congress

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision mandates that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) submit an annual report to Congress. This report must detail the total number of employees at the management level or above, including all executives and board members, who receive compensation at or greater than the maximum rate of basic pay for a GS-15 federal employee. For each such individual, the report must include their name, salary, and duties.

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupTennessee Valley Authority (TVA)ImpactIncreased reporting burden; requirement to compile and submit specific salary data.MechanismScale

GroupCongressImpactEnhanced oversight capabilities; access to detailed compensation data for high-level TVA employees.MechanismScale

GroupHigh-level TVA employees (management, executives, board members)ImpactTheir names, salaries, and duties will be reported to Congress.MechanismScale

Supporters argue

Supporters argue this provision ensures greater accountability for a federally owned corporation by providing Congress with specific details on how taxpayer dollars are used to compensate its top leadership. This allows for more informed oversight of executive pay.

Critics contend

No specific opposition is typically raised against the general concept of congressional oversight through reporting, though concerns might arise if the reporting burden is deemed excessive or if the data collected is not effectively utilized.

Tradeoffs

This provision balances the need for congressional oversight of a federal entity with the administrative burden on the TVA to compile and submit detailed personnel information.

Section 2(3) of H.R. 144, adding Section 9(a)(2) to the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933.

Exemption of Reported Salary Information from Public Disclosure

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision explicitly exempts the detailed salary information (names, salaries, duties) reported by the TVA to Congress from public disclosure. Specifically, it states that this information cannot be disclosed under section 552(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code (a Freedom of Information Act exemption for information specifically exempted by statute), nor is it subject to the requirements of the Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act.

About this analysis. AI-Generated from the official bill text and available committee reports. Gaps in available data are noted explicitly. Verify important details with the official Congress.gov record.

CosmeticWhat changed in REFERRED IN SENATEcompared with ENGROSSED IN HOUSE (Jan 15, 2025)

H.R. 144119th CongressIntroduced Jan 3, 2025

Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act

Passed HouseGovernment Operations and PoliticsSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Committees: Environment and Public Works Committee (primary)
Last action: Jan 16, 2025

Bottom line

This bill mandates increased internal reporting of high-level TVA salaries to Congress while simultaneously shielding that specific salary data from public disclosure.

What it actually does

Proponents argue

Opponents contend

The bill is extremely short and can be read and understood in a few minutes, making it highly accessible for public review.

Section 2(1) and 2(2) of H.R. 144, amending Section 9(a) of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933.

Requirement for TVA to Report High-Level Employee Salaries and Duties to Congress

prominently featuredstraightforward

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupTennessee Valley Authority (TVA)ImpactIncreased reporting burden; requirement to compile and submit specific salary data.MechanismScale

GroupCongressImpactEnhanced oversight capabilities; access to detailed compensation data for high-level TVA employees.MechanismScale

GroupHigh-level TVA employees (management, executives, board members)ImpactTheir names, salaries, and duties will be reported to Congress.MechanismScale

Supporters argue

Critics contend

Tradeoffs

This provision balances the need for congressional oversight of a federal entity with the administrative burden on the TVA to compile and submit detailed personnel information.

Section 2(3) of H.R. 144, adding Section 9(a)(2) to the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933.

Exemption of Reported Salary Information from Public Disclosure

prominently featuredstraightforward