CPSC FY2022 Operating Plan Addresses Two Funding Sources

Commissioners' votes were due near the PSL deadline on the FY2022 Operating Plan. The year starts October 1. Spending expectations assume approval of the $170 million budget request (PSL, 6/7/21). In separate accounting, the plan deals with money from the March stimulus act (PSL, 3/15/21). Staffing would rise from 538 full-time equivalents (FTEs) to 598.

On the first – a potential $35 million increase above FY2021's $135 million appropriation – the agency would direct $3.3 million (pay) and $1.2 million (non-pay) to maintain levels after expected cost increases. It also would lower funds for pool-safety grants by $1.3 million, relying on exiting money.

Remaining extra money would go towards actual resource increases in six areas: import surveillance (+$8.3 million, +38 FTEs); hazard identification (+$16.1 million, +8 FTEs); internet surveillance (+$1.5 million, +8 FTEs); communications (+$1.6 million, +4 FTEs); operational support (+$4.1 million, no additional FTEs); and Inspector General support ($200,000; +1 FTEs).

The big bump in import surveillance staffing would involve e-commerce (10 FTEs); expanded traditional ports presence (6 FTEs); lab and compliance support (14 FTEs); targeting/surveillance/screening (2 FTEs); and operational support (6 FTEs). Impetus was a port-related directive in the FY2021 appropriations act (PSL, 1/4/21).

Meanwhile, from the stimulus act, the agency would inject one-time boosts in four areas and totaling $12.7 million: targeting/surveillance/screening ($6.4 million); procuring equipment for e-commerce activities ($300,000); data collection ($2 million); and internet surveillance ($4 million).

The draft Operating Plan (bit.ly/3zw44g5) also includes the expected spending by various offices and the performance targets for them, among other information like expected voluntary standards and rulemaking activities.