A bill to authorize appropriations for the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Office of Special Counsel, to provide for the protection of certain disclosures of information by Federal employees, and for other purposes.

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Reauthorizes appropriations under the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 for the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Office of Special Counsel. Repeals the requirement under Federal civil service provisions that the Special Counsel return any documents and other matter provided by the individual who made the disclosure. Includes as a protected disclosure by a Federal employee any lawful disclosure that an employee or applicant reasonably believes is credible evidence of waste, fraud, abuse, or gross mismanagement. Covers any disclosure of information without restriction to time, place, form, motive, or context, or prior disclosure made to any person by an employee or applicant, including a disclosure made in the ordinary course of any employee's duties, that the employee or applicant reasonably believes is evidence of any violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or other specified misconduct. Allows a presumption relating to the performance of a duty by an employee to be rebutted by substantial evidence. Permits representation by attorneys for the Office of the Special Counsel in civil actions brought in connection with such disclosures of information or provisions relating …