Authorization to provide bonuses to U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents

(a) Recruitment bonuses (1) In general Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection may pay a recruitment bonus, not to exceed $15,000, to each newly hired U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent after— (A) the agent completes initial basic training; and (B) the execution of a written agreement described in paragraph (2). (2) Written agreement A written agreement described in this paragraph is a legally binding agreement between a newly hired agent and U.S. Customs and Border Protection that— (A) specifies the amount of the bonus payment to be paid to such agent, including the timing of such payment; (B) the length of the period of service required to be completed before such agent is entitled to retain such payment; and (C) any other terms and conditions to which such payment is subject. (b) Retention bonuses Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection may pay annual retention bonuses, not to exceed 15 percent of the agent's basic pay, to U.S. Border Patrol agents after the completion of each year of satisfactory service, as determined by the Commissioner. (c) Relocation bonus Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection may pay a relocation bonus, not to exceed 15 percent of the agent's annual basic pay, to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent who agrees to be transferred and to serve for not less than 3 years at the new duty station. (d) Limitation None of the bonuses paid to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent pursuant to subsections (a) through (c) may be considered part of the basic pay of such agent for any purpose, including for retirement or in computing a lump-sum payment to the agent for accumulated and accrued annual leave under section 5551 or 5552 of title 5, United States Code.