The legislation establishes a new Office of Personnel Management (OPM) program to recruit students for positions in Executive agencies. This program will partner with institutions of higher education to advise students on career paths, provide professional development workshops, and assist with job searches and resume preparation. A key focus is recruiting students from historically under-represented communities, including those from minority-serving institutions, junior or community colleges, and land-grant colleges. The bill authorizes $15,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for this initiative, with at least 30 percent specifically allocated for recruiting from these diverse institutions.

Furthermore, the legislation mandates a minimum hourly stipend of $15 for all interns in Executive agencies, with annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. OPM is also required to annually publish demographic information on interns and program participants, ensuring transparency while protecting personally identifiable information. Interns not participating in the Pathways Program may become eligible for noncompetitive conversion to the competitive service, mirroring opportunities for Pathways participants.

The second title of the bill reforms the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program, aiming to attract outstanding individuals with advanced degrees to Federal service for leadership and management roles. The Director of OPM is mandated to double the number of PMF positions for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 compared to pre-enactment levels. Eligible applicants must have obtained an advanced degree within two years of applying or expect to complete one by the academic year's end.

Fellows receive two-year excepted service appointments, typically at the GS-09, GS-11, or GS-12 level. Each Fellow will have an Individual Development Plan, receive at least 80 hours of formal training annually, and be assigned a mentor. A crucial component is a mandatory developmental assignment of 120 to 180 days, providing challenging management or technical responsibilities, potentially across different agencies. Upon successful completion, certified Fellows are eligible for noncompetitive conversion to the competitive service.

The bill also formally establishes and defines the roles of Federal Executive Boards in metropolitan areas, which will support executive branch activities and the PMF program, with OPM providing oversight and guidance. OPM is required to submit reports on the PMF program every three years, analyzing structural challenges and recommending improvements.