Border Patrol Supervisors Retention Act

119th Congress Introduced by Mark Alford and 4 co-sponsors

Expands eligibility for special overtime pay to Border Patrol agents from GS-12 through GS-15, not just GS-12.

Introduced in House

Bill Summary: Border Patrol Supervisors Retention Act (H.R. 8956)

Purpose and intent

The bill, introduced May 21, 2026, is titled the Border Patrol Supervisors Retention Act.

Its main aim is to expand eligibility for special overtime pay to U.S. Border Patrol agents who are classified above the GS–12 grade, i.e., agents at grades GS–13 through GS–15.

By broadening eligibility for higher overtime pay, the bill intends to improve pay alignment and potentially help retain higher-graded supervisory Border Patrol personnel.

Key provisions and changes

The bill amends 5 U.S.C. § 5550(h) to adjust which Border Patrol personnel are eligible for higher rates of regularly scheduled overtime pay.

Section 5550(h) heading is amended to replace the reference from “GS–12 Border Patrol agents” to “Border Patrol agents classified from grade GS–12 through GS–15.”
Paragraph (1) is amended to replace the phrase “a position at grade GS–12” with “a position from grade GS–12 through GS–15.”

In effect, agents at GS–13, GS–14, and GS–15 levels would be eligible for the special overtime pay rate, alongside those at GS–12.

Who and what is affected

Affected personnel: U.S. Border Patrol agents who are in grades GS–12, GS–13, GS–14, and GS–15.

Administrative impact: The Department of Homeland Security (and its Border Patrol component) would apply the higher overtime pay rate to the expanded group, within the framework of the federal pay system (5 U.S.C. Overtime provisions).

Financial impact: Potentially increases in payroll costs due to higher overtime compensation for supervisory-level agents.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced in the House on May 21, 2026, and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Next steps (if advanced): Committee consideration, potential committee report, and then floor action in the House. If passed, it would move to the Senate for consideration.

There is no enacted date or funding authorization specified in the text provided; it would depend on subsequent legislative action and any budgetary or appropriation processes.

Practical implications and context

The change targets retention of higher-graded Border Patrol supervisors by providing enhanced overtime pay, which can be a significant component of total compensation for law enforcement personnel with demanding, irregular work hours.

The bill does not alter base pay scales (GS–12 to GS–15) or other pay tools, but specifically expands eligibility for a premium overtime rate to a broader set of agents.

Critics and supporters would likely weigh the anticipated retention and staffing benefits against the incremental federal payroll costs and the broader fiscal implications.

If you’d like, I can add a side-by-side comparison of current law versus the bill’s proposed change, or provide a brief potential fiscal impact estimate based on typical overtime rates.