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119-s-1491119th Congress

SEER Act 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

Introduced

Summary

Would tighten ethics and public disclosure rules for Special Government Employees (SGEs). The bill would expand conflict-of-interest rules, require searchable online disclosures of SGE service and finances, and limit contacts when SGEs have ties to large companies.

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  • SGEs: Would bring many SGEs under stricter ethics rules and expanded financial reporting. SGEs who served more than 60 days in the prior 365 days would follow regular ethics rules, and those over 130 days would be treated like regular employees for key criminal and ethics provisions.
  • Transparency and oversight: Would require the Office of Government Ethics and agencies to keep a public internet database listing covered SGEs, a rolling tally of days served, and why someone was designated an SGE. Certain waivers or exemptions would need OGE concurrence and must be posted online within 14 days.
  • Conflicts and outside ties: Would expand the conflict rules to cover non-advisory and chair or vice-chair SGEs for discrete matters. It would also restrict communications between agencies and SGEs who own or are senior executives of a statutorily defined "large company," with OGE able to set ownership rules.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Limits on SGEs talking to large firms

If enacted, the bill would bar certain special Government employees (SGEs) from official communications with agencies about a “large company” they own or lead. A large company would include firms averaging over $1 billion in market value or revenue over three years. It would also include federal contractors getting over $100 million a year from the government in the prior three years. The Office of Government Ethics would write rules to define ownership and implement the ban.

Public database for certain SGEs

If enacted, the bill would require a free, searchable database listing certain executive-branch SGEs. The database would show each covered person's name, a rolling count of days served, and why they were named an SGE. Any waiver or exemption for those SGEs would have to be posted within 14 days. Agency ethics officers must review claimed exemptions to ensure they properly apply.

SGE ethics rules tied to days served

If enacted, the bill would treat SGEs who served more than 60 days in the past 365 days like regular employees for most federal ethics rules. SGEs who served more than 130 days in the past 365 days would be covered by the criminal conflict rule and related ethics provisions, whether paid or unpaid. Being listed as an SGE on a personnel form would count in these tests.

Tighter conflict rules for some SGEs

If enacted, the bill would expand conflict-of-interest rules for some SGEs. It would let the rules apply to a discrete part of a government matter when the SGE's organization has a financial interest. It would also require a designated official at the Office of Government Ethics to concur on certain conflict decisions for SGEs.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

MA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 5/19/2025

  • Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 9/4/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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