118 STAT. 1369 PUBLIC LAW 108–341—OCT. 18, 2004 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1814: HOUSE REPORTS: No. 108–716, Pt. 1 (Comm. on Resources). CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 150 (2004): Apr. 20, considered and passed Senate. Oct. 4, considered and passed House. SEC. 5. PERSONNEL. (a) IN GENERAL.— (1) EMPLOYMENT.—Notwithstanding section 3503 of title 5, United States Code, the Forest Service will accept the transfer of eligible employees at their current pay and grade levels to administer the Center as of the date of enactment of this Act. (b) TRANSFER APPOINTMENT IN THE FOREST SERVICE.—Eligible employees will transfer, without a break in Federal service and without competition, from the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, upon an agreed date by both agencies. (c) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TRANSITION.—Employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who transfer to the Forest Service— (1) shall retain all benefits and/or eligibility for benefits of Federal employment without interruption in coverage or reduction in coverage, including those pertaining to any retire ment, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB), Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), leave, or other employee benefits; (2) shall retain their existing status with respect to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS); (3) shall be entitled to carry over any leave time accumu lated during their Federal Government employment; (4) shall retain their existing level of competitive employ ment status and tenure; and (5) shall retain their existing GM, GS, or WG grade level and pay. SEC. 6. IMPLEMENTATION COSTS AND APPROPRIATIONS. (a) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service will cover their own costs in implementing this Act. (b) There is hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act. Approved October 18, 2004.
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