To ensure that the percentage increase in rates of basic pay for prevailing wage employees shall be equal to the percentage increase received by other Federal employees in the same pay locality, and for other purposes.

HR 7819 ensures federal workers paid under special wage schedules (like those in certain agencies or locations) receive pay increases in fiscal year 2025 that match the percentage increases given to standard federal employees in the same geographic area. It requires that the basic pay raise for these "prevailing rate" employees must equal or exceed the combined percentage increase from both the standard General Schedule pay adjustments and locality-based pay adjustments. The law applies to pay periods starting after December 31, 2024, and prevents agencies from offering larger increases than those given to standard federal workers in the same locality. Exceptions for recruitment or retention are limited to Office of Personnel Management approvals.