A bipartisan bill would establish separate federal locality-pay areas for Tampa and Orlando. Any pay changes would depend on implementation; the bill does not promise an immediate raise or specify individual increases.

How the bill would work

Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, introduced H.R. 10898, the Locality Pay Adjustment Act, on Oct. 22, with Reps. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, and Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, as cosponsors. Bilirakis’s office announced the bill on Oct. 30. The bill directs the President’s Pay Agent, within a year after enactment, to study the proposed areas, report to Congress and establish pay localities for both metro regions.

Current locality pay areas

In 2026, Tampa and Orlando are in the “Rest of U.S.” area for employees covered by General Schedule locality pay, which carries a 17.06% locality payment. South Florida and Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville have separate locality areas. OPM area definitions: OPM locality pay area definitions; 2026 Rest of U.S. pay table: 2026 Rest of U.S. pay table.

Federal workers and local support

Castor’s office says more than 8,000 civilians work in critical missions at MacDill Air Force Base. Her office also cited federal workers at Tampa International Airport and Social Security offices. The bill does not name specific employers or estimate individual pay changes. For details, see Castor’s statement.

Bilirakis said the current pay designation makes it harder for agencies to recruit and retain workers and could affect military readiness. The Tampa Bay Chamber and the American Federation of Government Employees support the bill, according to Bilirakis’s office. Chamber President and CEO Bob Rohrlack said it could help the region attract and retain skilled workers. AFGE District 5 Vice President Tatishka Thomas said federal employees are underpaid compared with private-sector and state and local government workers. For more, see Bilirakis’s press release.

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Read the bill text