title XVII, §1706(b)(3), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2318 , added item 1315 and struck out former item 1315 "Special police".
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1301 -->
(a) In General .—Except as provided in subsection (b), the Administrator of General Services shall have charge of—
(1) all land and other property which has been or may be assigned, set off, or conveyed to the Federal Government in payment of debts;
(2) all trusts created for the use of the Government in payment of debts due the Government; and
(3) the sale and disposal of land—
(A) assigned or set off to the Government in payment of debt; or
(B) vested in the Government by mortgage or other security for the payment of debts.
(b) Nonapplication .—This section does not apply to—
(1) real estate which has been or shall be assigned, set off, or conveyed to the Government in payment of debts arising under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ( 26 U.S.C. 1 et seq. ); or
(2) trusts created for the use of the Government in payment of debts arising under the Code and due the Government.
In subsection (a), the words "Except as provided in subsection (b)" are added for clarity.
In subsection (b)(1), the words "the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ( 26 U.S.C. 1 et seq. )" are substituted for "the internal-revenue laws" for clarity and for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is classified to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1302 -->
Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, the leasing of buildings and property of the Federal Government shall be for a money consideration only. The lease may not include any provision for the alteration, repair, or improvement of the buildings or property as a part of the consideration for the rent to be paid for the use and occupation of the buildings or property. Money derived from the rent shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
The words "On and after June 30, 1932" are omitted as obsolete.
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1303 -->
(a) Definition .—In this section, the term "federal agency" means an executive department, independent establishment, commission, board, bureau, division, or office in the executive branch, or other agency of the Federal Government, including wholly owned Government corporations.
(b) Assignment of Space or Lease or Sale of Property.—
(1) Actions of administrator .—When the President, on the recommendation of the Administrator of General Services, or the federal agency having control of any real property the agency acquires that is located outside of the District of Columbia, other than military or naval reservations, declares the property to be surplus to the needs of the agency, the Administrator—
(A) may assign space in the property to any federal agency;
(B) pending a sale, may lease the property for not more than 5 years and on terms the Administrator considers to be in the public interest; or
(C) may sell the property at public sale to the highest responsible bidder on terms and after public advertisement that the Administrator considers to be in the public interest.
(2) Review of decision to assign space .—If the federal agency to which space is assigned does not desire to occupy the space, the decision of the Administrator under paragraph (1)(A) is subject to review by the President.
(3) Negotiated sale .—If no bids which are satisfactory as to price and responsibility of the bidder are received as a result of public advertisement, the Administrator may sell the property by negotiation, on terms as may be considered to be to the best interest of the Government, but at a price not less than that bid by the highest responsible bidder.
(c) Demolition .—The Administrator may demolish any building declared to be surplus to the needs of the Government under this section on deciding that demolition will be in the best interest of the Government. Before proceeding with the demolition, the Administrator shall inform the Secretary of the Interior in writing of the Administrator's intention to demolish the building, and shall not proceed with the demolition until receiving written notice from the Secretary that the building is not an historic building of national significance within the meaning of chapter 3201 of title 54 . If the Secretary does not notify the Administrator of the Secretary's decision as to whether the building is an historic building of national significance within 90 days of the receipt of the notice of intention to demolish the building, the Administrator may proceed to demolish the building.
(d) Repairs and Alterations to Assigned Real Property .—When the Administrator, after investigation, decides that real property referred to in subsection (b) should be used for the accommodation of a federal agency, the Administrator may make any repairs or alterations that the Administrator considers necessary or advisable and may maintain and operate the property.
(e) Payment by Federal Agencies.—
(1) Assigned real property .—To the extent that the appropriations of the General Services Administration not otherwise allocated are inadequate for repairs, alterations, maintenance, or operation, the Administrator may require each federal agency to which space has been assigned to pay promptly by check to the Administrator out of its appropriation for rent any part of the estimated or actual cost of the repairs, alterations, maintenance, and operation. Payment may be either in advance of, or on or during, occupancy of the space. The Administrator shall determine and equitably apportion the total amount to be paid among the agencies to whom space has been assigned.
(2) Leased spaces .—To the extent that the appropriations of the Administration not otherwise required are inadequate, the Administrator may require each federal agency to which leased space has been assigned to pay promptly by check to the Administrator out of its available appropriations any part of the estimated cost of rent, repairs, alterations, maintenance, operation, and moving. Payment may be either in advance or during occupancy of the space. When space in a building is occupied by two or more agencies, the Administrator shall determine and equitably apportion rental, operation, and other charges on the basis of the total amount of space leased.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations .—Necessary amounts may be appropriated to cover the costs incident to the sale or lease of real property, or authorized demolition of buildings on the property, declared to be surplus to the needs of any federal agency under this section, and the care, maintenance, and protection of the property, including pay of employees, travel of Government employees, brokers' fees not in excess of rates paid for similar services in the community where the property is situated, appraisals, photographs, surveys, evidence of title and perfecting of defective titles, advertising, and telephone and telegraph charges. However, the agency remains responsible for the proper care, maintenance, and protection of the property until the Administrator assumes custody or other disposition of the property is made.
(g) Regulations .—The Administrator may prescribe regulations as necessary to carry out this section.
In this chapter, the words "Administrator of General Services" are substituted for "Federal Works Administrator" and "Commissioner of Public Buildings" because of section 103(a) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (ch. 288, 63 Stat. 380 ), which is restated as section 303(c) [303(b)] of the revised title.
In subsection (a), the words "wholly owned Government corporations" are substituted for "corporations wholly owned by the United States" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.
In subsection (b)(1), before subclause (A), the words "Notwithstanding any other provision of law", "heretofore or hereafter", and "by judicial process or otherwise in the collection of debts, purchase, donation, condemnation, devise, forfeiture, lease, or in any other manner" are omitted as unnecessary. In subclause (A), the words "or reassign" are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (e), the words "General Services Administration", "Administrator", and "Administration" are substituted for "Public Buildings Administration" because of section 103(a) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (ch. 288, 63 Stat. 380 ), which is restated as section 303(c) [303(b)] of the revised title.
In subsection (f), the words "as hereinafter" are omitted as obsolete. The words "which have been or may hereafter be" and "notwithstanding any declaration that the same is in excess of its needs" are omitted as unnecessary.
2014—Subsec. (c).
substituted " chapter 3201 of title 54 " for "the Act of August 21, 1935 ( 16 U.S.C. 461 et seq. ) (known as the Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act)".
"(1) Real property authorities .—Nothing in this section [enacting provisions set out as a note under this section and amending provisions set out as a note under this section], or an amendment made by this section, shall be construed as providing any Executive agency with any new leasing or other real property authority that did not exist prior to the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 23, 2018].
"(2) Effect on other laws .—Nothing in this section, or an amendment made by this section, and no information submitted pursuant to this section, or pursuant to an amendment made by this section, shall be used to prevent or otherwise restrict a decision or determination by any Executive agency to sell, dispose of, declare excess or surplus, lease, reuse or redevelop any Federal real property pursuant to—
"(A) title 40 of the United States Code ;
"(B) the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 [
] ( 40 U.S.C. 1303 note ); or
"(C) any other law governing real property activities of the Federal Government."
"(b) Public Comment.—
"(1) In general .—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 23, 2018], the Administrator of General Services shall issue a notice for public comment regarding the inclusion of a communications facility installation under section 21 of the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 [
] ( 40 U.S.C. 1303 note ), as amended by subsection (a) of this section.
"(2) Contents .—In seeking public comment under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall include a request for recommendations on—
"(A) the criteria that make Federal real property capable of supporting communications facility installations;
"(B) the types of information related to the Federal real property that should be included in the database; and
"(C) other matters that the Administrator determines necessary.
"(c) Provision of Information.—
"(1) In general .—Not later than 90 days after the period for public comment under subsection (b)(1) ends, the Administrator of General Services shall notify the head of each Executive agency of the manner and format for submitting such information as the Administrator determines appropriate to the database established under section 21 of the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 ( 40 U.S.C. 1303 note ), as amended by subsection (a) of this section.
"(2) Submission .—Not later than 90 days after the date of the notification under paragraph (1), the head of an Executive agency shall submit the information required under paragraph (1)."
"(a) Short Title .—This Act may be cited as the 'Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016'.
"(b) Table of Contents .—[Omitted.]
"The purpose of this Act is to reduce the costs of Federal real estate by—
"(1) consolidating the footprint of Federal buildings and facilities;
"(2) maximizing the utilization rate of Federal buildings and facilities;
"(3) reducing the reliance on leased space;
"(4) selling or redeveloping high value assets that are underutilized to obtain the highest and best value for the taxpayer and maximize the return to the taxpayer;
"(5) reducing the operating and maintenance costs of Federal civilian real properties;
"(6) reducing redundancy, overlap, and costs associated with field offices;
"(7) creating incentives for Federal agencies to achieve greater efficiency in their inventories of civilian real property;
"(8) facilitating and expediting the sale or disposal of unneeded Federal civilian real properties;
"(9) improving the efficiency of real property transfers for the provision of services to the homeless; and
"(10) assisting Federal agencies in achieving the Government's sustainability goals by reducing excess space, inventory, and energy consumption, as well as by leveraging new technologies.
"In this Act, unless otherwise expressly stated, the following definitions apply:
"(1) Administrator .—The term 'Administrator' means the Administrator of General Services.
"(2) Board .—The term 'Board' means the Public Buildings Reform Board established by section 4.
"(3) CERCLA .—The term 'CERCLA' means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ( 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq. ).
"(4) Federal agency .—The term 'Federal agency' means an executive department or independent establishment in the executive branch of the Government, and a wholly owned Government corporation.
"(5) Federal civilian real property and civilian real property.—
"(A) In general .—The terms 'Federal civilian real property' and 'civilian real property' refer to Federal real property assets, including public buildings as defined in section 3301(a) of title 40, United States Code , occupied and improved grounds, leased space, or other physical structures under the custody and control of any Federal agency.
"(B) Exclusions .—Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed as including any of the following types of property:
"(i) Properties that are on military installations (including any fort, camp, post, naval training station, airfield proving ground, military supply depot, military school, or any similar facility of the Department of Defense).
"(ii) A base, camp, post, station, yard, center, or homeport facility for any ship or activity under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard.
"(iii) Properties that are excluded for reasons of national security by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
"(iv) Properties that are excepted from the definition of the term 'property' under section 102 of title 40, United States Code .
"(v) Indian and Native Alaskan properties, including—
"(I) any property within the limits of an Indian reservation to which the United States owns title for the benefit of an Indian tribe; and
"(II) any property title that is held in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian tribe or individual or held by an Indian tribe or individual subject to restriction by the United States against alienation.
"(vi) Properties operated and maintained by the Tennessee Valley Authority pursuant to the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 ( 16 U.S.C. 831 et seq. ).
"(vii) Postal properties owned by the United States Postal Service.
"(viii) Properties used in connection with Federal programs for agricultural, recreational, or conservation purposes, including research in connection with the programs.
"(ix) Properties used in connection with river, harbor, flood control, reclamation, or power projects.
"(x) Properties located outside the United States operated or maintained by the Department of State or the United States Agency for International Development.
"(6) Field office .—The term 'field office' means any Federal office that is not the headquarters office location for the Federal agency.
"(7) HUD .—The term 'HUD' means the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
"(8) OMB .—The term 'OMB' means the Office of Management and Budget.
"(9) Value of transactions .—The term 'value of transactions' means the sum of the estimated proceeds and estimated costs, based on the accounting system developed or identified under section 12(e), associated with the transactions included in Board recommendations.
"(a) Establishment .—There is established an independent board to be known as the Public Buildings Reform Board.
"(b) Duties .—The Board shall carry out the duties as specified in this Act.
"(1) In general .—The Board shall be composed of a Chairperson appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and 6 members appointed by the President.
"(2) Appointments .—In selecting individuals for appointments to the Board, the President shall appoint members in the following manner:
"(A) Two members recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
"(B) Two members recommended by the majority leader of the Senate.
"(C) One member recommended by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
"(D) One member recommended by the minority leader of the Senate.
"(3) Terms .—The term for each member of the Board shall be 6 years.
"(4) Vacancies .—Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
"(5) Qualifications .—In selecting individuals for appointment to the Board, the President shall ensure that the Board contains individuals with expertise representative of the following:
"(A) Commercial real estate and redevelopment.
"(B) Space optimization and utilization.
"(C) Community development, including transportation and planning.
"(a) Open Meetings .—Each meeting of the Board, other than meetings in which classified information is to be discussed, shall be open to the public. Any open meeting shall be announced in the Federal Register and the Federal Web site established by the Board at least 14 calendar days in advance of a meeting. For all public meetings, the Board shall release an agenda and a listing of materials relevant to the topics to be discussed.
"(b) Quorum and Meetings .—Five Board members shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of conducting business and three or more Board members shall constitute a meeting of the Board.
"(c) Transparency of Information .—All the proceedings, information, and deliberations of the Board shall be open, upon request, to the Chairperson and ranking minority party member, and their respective subcommittee Chairperson and subcommittee ranking minority party member, of—
"(1) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;
"(2) the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability] of the House of Representatives;
"(3) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
"(4) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate; and
"(5) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
"(d) Government Accountability Office .—All proceedings, information, and deliberations of the Board shall be open, upon request, to the Comptroller General of the United States.
"(1) Rate of pay for members .—Each member, other than the Chairperson, shall be paid at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the minimum annual rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code , for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Board.
"(2) Rate of pay for chairperson .—The Chairperson shall be paid for each day referred to in paragraph (1) at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the minimum annual rate of basic pay payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code .
"(b) Travel .—Members shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code .
"(a) Appointment .—The Board shall appoint an Executive Director, who may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code , governing appointments in the competitive service.
"(b) Rate of Pay .—The Executive Director shall be paid at the rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code .
"(a) Additional Personnel .—Subject to subsection (b), the Executive Director may request additional personnel detailed from Federal agencies.
"(b) Requests for Detail Employees .—Upon request of the Executive Director and approval of the Board and the Director of OMB, the head of any Federal agency shall detail the requested personnel of that agency to the Board to assist the Board in carrying out its duties under this Act.
"(c) Qualifications .—Appointments shall be made with consideration of a balance of expertise consistent with the qualifications of representatives described in section 4(c)(5).
"(a) Experts and Consultants .—The Board, to the extent practicable and subject to appropriations Acts, shall use contracts, including nonappropriated contracts, entered into by the Administrator for services necessary to carry out the duties of the Board.
"(b) Office Space .—The Administrator, in consultation with the Board, shall identify and provide, without charge, suitable office space within the existing Federal space inventory to house the operations of the Board.
"(c) Personal Property .—The Board shall use personal property already in the custody and control of the Administrator.
"The Board shall cease operations and terminate 6 years after the date on which the Board members are appointed pursuant to section 4.
"(a) Submissions of Agency Information and Recommendations .—Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and not later than 120 days after the first day of each fiscal year thereafter until the termination of the Board, the head of each Federal agency shall submit to the Administrator and the Director of OMB the following:
"(1) Current data .—Current data of all Federal civilian real properties owned, leased, or controlled by the agency, including all relevant information prescribed by the Administrator and the Director of OMB, including data related to the age and condition of the property, operating costs, history of capital expenditures, sustainability metrics, number of Federal employees and functions housed in the respective property, and square footage (including gross, rentable, and usable).
"(2) Agency recommendations .—Recommendations of the agency on the following:
"(A) Federal civilian real properties that can be sold for proceeds or otherwise disposed of, reported as excess, declared surplus, outleased, or otherwise no longer meeting the needs of the agency, excluding leasebacks or other such exchange agreements where the property continues to be used by the agency.
"(B) Federal civilian real properties that can be transferred, exchanged, consolidated, co-located, reconfigured, or redeveloped, so as to reduce the civilian real property inventory, reduce the operating costs of the Government, and create the highest value and return for the taxpayer.
"(C) Operational efficiencies that the Government can realize in its operation and maintenance of Federal civilian real properties.
"(b) Standards and Criteria.—
"(1) Development of standards and criteria .—Not later than 60 days after the deadline for submissions of agency recommendations under subsection (a), the Director of OMB, in consultation with the Administrator, shall—
"(A) review the agency recommendations;
"(B) develop consistent standards and criteria against which the agency recommendations will be reviewed; and
"(C) submit to the Board the recommendations developed pursuant to paragraph (2).
"(2) Recommendations to board .—The Director of OMB and the Administrator shall jointly develop recommendations to the Board based on the standards and criteria developed under paragraph (1).
"(3) Factors .—In developing the standards and criteria under paragraph (1), the Director of OMB, in consultation with the Administrator, shall incorporate the following factors:
"(A) The extent to which the civilian real property could be sold (including property that is no longer meeting the needs of the Government), redeveloped, outleased, or otherwise used to produce the highest and best value and return for the taxpayer.
"(B) The extent to which the operating and maintenance costs are reduced through consolidating, co-locating, and reconfiguring space, and through realizing other operational efficiencies.
"(C) The extent to which the utilization rate is being maximized and is consistent with non-governmental industry standards for the given function or operation.
"(D) The extent and timing of potential costs and savings, including the number of years, beginning with the date of completion of the proposed recommendation.
"(E) The extent to which reliance on leasing for long-term space needs is reduced.
"(F) The extent to which a civilian real property aligns with the current mission of the Federal agency.
"(G) The extent to which there are opportunities to consolidate similar operations across multiple agencies or within agencies.
"(H) The economic impact on existing communities in the vicinity of the civilian real property.
"(I) The extent to which energy consumption is reduced.
"(J) The extent to which public access to agency services is maintained or enhanced.
"(c) Special Rule for Utilization Rates .—Standards developed by the Director of OMB pursuant to subsection (b) shall incorporate and apply clear standard utilization rates to the extent that such standard rates increase efficiency and provide performance data. The utilization rates shall be consistent throughout each applicable category of space and with nongovernment space utilization rates. To the extent the space utilization rate of a given agency exceeds the utilization rates to be applied under this subsection, the Director of OMB may recommend realignment, co-location, consolidation, or other type of action to improve space utilization.
"(d) Submission to Board.—
"(1) In general .—The Director of OMB shall submit the standards, criteria, and recommendations developed pursuant to subsection (b) to the Board with all supporting information, data, analyses, and documentation.
"(2) Publication .—The standards, criteria, and recommendations developed pursuant to subsection (b) shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the committees listed in section 5(c) and to the Comptroller General of the United States.
"(3) Access to information .—The Board shall also have access to all information pertaining to the recommendations developed pursuant to subsection (b), including supporting information, data, analyses, and documentation submitted pursuant to subsection (a). Upon request, a Federal agency shall provide to the Board any additional information pertaining to the civilian real properties under the custody, control, or administrative jurisdiction of the Federal agency. The Board shall notify the committees listed in section 5(c) of any failure by an agency to comply with a request of the Board.
"(a) Identification of Property Reduction Opportunities .—The Board shall identify opportunities for the Government to reduce significantly its inventory of civilian real property and reduce costs to the Government.
"(b) Identification of High Value Assets.—
"(1) Identification of certain properties .—Not later than 180 days after Board members are appointed pursuant to section 4, the Board shall—
"(A) identify not fewer than five Federal civilian real properties that are not on the list of surplus or excess as of such date with a total fair market value of not less than $500,000,000 and not more than $750,000,000; and
"(B) transmit the list of the Federal civilian real properties to the Director of OMB and Congress as Board recommendations and subject to the approval process described in section 13.
"(2) Information and data .—In order to meet the goal established under paragraph (1), each Federal agency shall provide, upon request, any and all information and data regarding its civilian real properties to the Board. The Board shall notify the committees listed in section 5(c) of any failure by an agency to comply with a request of the Board.
"(3) Factors .—In identifying properties pursuant to paragraph (1), the Board shall consider the factors listed in section 11(b)(3).
"(4) Leaseback restrictions.—
"(A) In general .—None of the existing improvements on properties sold under this subsection may be leased back to the Government for a period of greater than 3 years.
"(B) Requirements .—A leaseback under this paragraph—
"(i) shall expire on or before the last day of the 3-year period beginning on the date of the sale of the respective property;
"(ii) may not contain any options to extend or renew the leaseback;
"(iii) may only be entered into once for purposes of temporarily housing the Federal agency in the property at the time of the sale; and
"(iv) shall only be for the purpose of facilitating the sale of the respective property.
"(5) Report of excess .—Not later than 60 days after the approval of Board recommendations pursuant to paragraph (1), Federal agencies with custody, control, or administrative jurisdiction over the identified properties shall submit a Report of Excess to the General Services Administration.
"(A) Initiation of sale .—Not later than 120 days after the acceptance by the Administrator of the Report of Excess and notwithstanding any other provision of law (including section 501 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11411 ), but except as provided in section 14(g)), the General Services Administration shall initiate the sale of the civilian real properties described in paragraph (1).
"(B) Completion of sale .—Not later than 1 year after the acceptance of the Report of Excess, the Administrator shall sell the civilian real properties at fair market value at highest and best use, unless the Director of OMB determines it is in the financial interest of the Government to execute a sale more than a year after the acceptance of the Report of Excess, but not greater than 2 years after the acceptance of the Report of Excess.
"(c) Analysis of Inventory .—The Board shall perform an independent analysis of the inventory of Federal civilian real property and the recommendations submitted pursuant to section 11. The Board shall not be bound or limited by the recommendations submitted pursuant to section 11. If, in the opinion of the Board, an agency fails to provide needed information, data, or adequate recommendations that meet the standards and criteria, the Board shall develop such recommendations as the Board considers appropriate based on existing data contained in the Federal Real Property Profile or other relevant information.
"(d) Information and Proposals.—
"(1) Receipt .—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Board may receive and consider proposals, information, and other data submitted by State and local officials and the private sector.
"(2) Consultation .—The Board shall consult with State and local officials on information, proposals, and other data that the officials submit to the Board.
"(3) Availability .—Information submitted to the Board shall be made publicly available.
"(e) Accounting System .—Not later than 120 days after the date on which the Board members are appointed pursuant to section 4, the Board shall identify or develop and implement a system of accounting to be used to independently evaluate the costs of and returns on the recommendations. Such accounting system shall be applied in developing the Board's recommendations and determining the highest return to the taxpayer. In applying the accounting system, the Board shall set a standard performance period of not less than 15 years.
"(f) Public Hearing .—The Board shall conduct public hearings. All testimony before the Board at a public hearing under this subsection shall be presented under oath.
"(g) Reporting of Information and Recommendations.—
"(1) In general .—Subject to the schedule and limitations specified in paragraph (2), the Board shall transmit to the Director of OMB, and publicly post on a Federal Web site maintained by the Board, reports containing the Board's findings, conclusions, and recommendations for—
"(A) the consolidation, exchange, co-location, reconfiguration, lease reductions, sale, outlease, and redevelopment of Federal civilian real properties; and
"(B) other operational efficiencies that can be realized in the Government's operation and maintenance of such properties.
"(2) Schedule and limitations.—
"(A) First round .—Not later than 2 years after the date of transmittal of the list of properties recommended pursuant to subsection (b), the Board shall transmit to the Director of OMB the first report required under paragraph (1). The total value of transactions contained in the first report may not exceed $2,500,000,000.
"(B) Second round .—Not earlier than 3 years after the date of transmittal of the first report, the Board shall transmit to the Director of OMB the second report required under paragraph (1). The total value of transactions contained in the second report may not exceed $4,750,000,000.
"(3) Consensus in majority .—The Board shall seek to develop consensus recommendations, but if a consensus cannot be obtained, the Board may include in the reports required under this subsection recommendations that are supported by a majority of the Board.
"(h) Federal Web Site .—The Board shall establish and maintain a Federal Web site for the purposes of making relevant information publicly available.
"(i) Review by GAO .—The Comptroller General of the United States shall transmit to Congress and the Board a report containing a detailed analysis of the recommendations and selection process.
"(a) Review of Recommendations .—Upon receipt of the Board's recommendations pursuant to subsections (b) and (g) of section 12, the Director of OMB shall conduct a review of the recommendations.
"(b) Report to Board and Congress .—Not later than 30 days after the receipt of the Board's recommendations, the Director of OMB shall transmit to the Board and Congress a report that sets forth the Director of OMB's approval or disapproval of the Board's recommendations.
"(c) Approval and Disapproval.—
"(1) Approval .—If the Director of OMB approves the Board's recommendations, the Director of OMB shall transmit a copy of the recommendations to Congress, together with a certification of such approval.
"(2) Disapproval .—If the Director of OMB disapproves the Board's recommendations, in whole or in part, the Director of OMB shall transmit a copy of the recommendations to Congress and the reasons for disapproval of the recommendations to the Board and Congress.
"(3) Revised recommendations .—Not later than 30 days after the receipt of reasons for disapproval under paragraph (2), the Board shall transmit to the Director of OMB revised recommendations for approval.
"(4) Approval of revised recommendations .—If the Director of OMB approves the revised recommendations received under paragraph (3), the Director of OMB shall transmit a copy of the revised recommendations to Congress, together with a certification of such approval.
"(d) Termination of Process for Given Round .—If the Director of OMB does not transmit to Congress an approval and certification described in paragraph (1) or (4) of subsection (c) on or before the 30th day following the receipt of the Board's recommendations or revised recommendations, as the case may be, the process shall terminate until the following round, as described in section 12.
"(1) Preparation .—Federal agencies shall—
"(A) not later than 60 days after the Director of OMB transmits the Board's recommendations to Congress pursuant to paragraph (1) or (4) of section 13(c), immediately begin preparations to carry out the Board's recommendations; and
"(B) not later than 2 years after such transmittal, initiate all activities necessary to carry out the Board's recommendations.
"(2) Completion .—Not later than 6 years after the Director of OMB transmits the Board's recommendations to Congress pursuant to paragraph (1) or (4) of section 13(c), Federal agencies shall complete all recommended actions. All actions shall be economically beneficial, cost neutral, or otherwise favorable to the Government.
"(3) Extenuating circumstances .—For actions that will take longer than the 6-year period described in paragraph (2) due to extenuating circumstances, Federal agencies shall notify the Director of OMB and Congress, as soon as the extenuating circumstance presents itself, with an estimated time to complete the relevant action.
"(b) Actions of Federal Agencies Related to Civilian Real Properties .—In taking actions related to any civilian real property under this Act, Federal agencies may take, pursuant to subsection (c), all such necessary and proper actions, including—
"(1) acquiring land, constructing replacement facilities, performing such other activities, and conducting advance planning and design as may be required to transfer functions from a Federal asset or property to another Federal civilian property;
"(2) reimbursing other Federal agencies for actions performed at the request of the Board; and
"(3) taking such actions as are practicable to maximize the value of Federal civilian real property to be sold by clarifying zoning and other limitations on use of such property.
"(c) Actions of Federal Agencies To Implement Board Recommendations.—
"(1) Use of existing legal authorities.—
"(A) In general .—Except as provided in paragraph (2), when acting on a recommendation of the Board, a Federal agency shall—
"(i) in consultation with the Administrator, continue to act within the Federal agency's existing legal authorities, including legal authorities delegated to the Federal agency by the Administrator; or
"(ii) work in partnership with the Administrator to carry out such actions.
"(B) Necessary and proper actions .—The Administrator may take such necessary and proper actions, including the sale, conveyance, or exchange of civilian real property, as required to implement the Board's recommendations in the time period required under subsection (a).
"(2) Experts .—A Federal agency may enter into no cost, nonappropriated contracts for expert commercial real estate services to carry out the Federal agency's responsibilities pursuant to the recommendations.
"(d) Discretion of Administrator Regarding Transactions .—For any transaction identified, recommended, or commenced as a result of this Act, any otherwise required legal priority given to, or requirement to enter into, a transaction to convey a Federal civilian real property for less than fair market value, for no consideration at all, or in a transaction that mandates the exclusion of other market participants, shall be at the discretion of the Administrator.
"(e) Relationship to Other Laws .—Any recommendation or commencement of a sale, disposal, consolidation, reconfiguration, co-location, or realignment of civilian real property under this Act shall not be subject to—
"(1) section 545(b)(8) of title 40, United States Code ;
"(2) sections 550, 553, and 554 of title 40, United States Code ;
"(3) any section of the Act entitled 'An Act Authorizing the transfer of certain real property for wildlife, or other purposes' ( 16 U.S.C. 667b );
"(4) section 47151 of title 49, United States Code ;
"(5) sections 107 and 317 of title 23, United States Code ;
"(6) section 1304(b) of title 40, United States Code ;
"(7) section 13(d) of the Surplus Property Act of 1944 [act Oct. 3, 1944, ch. 479] ( 50 U.S.C. App. 1622(d) [now 40 U.S.C. 545 note ]);
"(8) any other provision of law authorizing the conveyance of real property owned by the Government for no consideration; and
"(9) any congressional notification requirement other than that in section 545 of title 40, United States Code .
"(f) Public Benefit.—
"(1) Submission of information to hud .—The Director of OMB shall submit to the Secretary of HUD, on the same day the Director of OMB submits the Board's recommendations to Congress pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (4) of section 13(c), all known information on Federal civilian real properties that are included in the recommendations (except those recommended under section 12(b)).
"(2) HUD to report to board .—Not later than 30 days after the submission of information on Federal properties under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall identify any suitable civilian real properties for use as a property benefiting the mission of assistance to the homeless for the purposes of further screening pursuant to section 501 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11411 ).
"(3) Additional authority .—Following the review under paragraph (2), with respect to a civilian real property that is not identified by the Secretary as suitable for use as a property benefiting the mission of assistance to the homeless and that has been recommended for sale by the Board, the Director of OMB may exclude the property from the Board's recommendations if the Director determines that the property is suitable for use as a public park or recreation area by a State or local government and it is in the best interest of taxpayers.
"(g) Environmental Considerations.—
"(1) Transfers of real property.—
"(A) In general .—When implementing the recommended actions for civilian real properties that have been identified in the Board's report, as specified in section 12(g), and subject to paragraph (2) and in compliance with CERCLA, including section 120(h) of CERCLA ( 42 U.S.C. 9620(h) ), Federal agencies may enter into an agreement to transfer by deed, pursuant to section 120(h)(3) of that Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9620(h)(3) ), civilian real property with any person.
"(B) Additional terms and conditions .—The head of the disposing agency may require any additional terms and conditions in connection with an agreement authorized by subparagraph (A) as the head of the disposing agency considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. Such additional terms and conditions shall not affect or diminish any rights or obligations of the Federal agencies under section 120(h) of CERCLA (including, without limitation, the requirements of subsections (h)(3)(A) and (h)(3)(C)(iv) of that section).
"(2) Certification concerning costs .—A transfer of Federal civilian real property may be made under paragraph (1) only if the head of the disposing agency certifies to the Board and Congress that—
"(A) the costs of all environmental restoration, waste management, and environmental compliance activities otherwise to be paid by the disposing agency with respect to the property are equal to or greater than the fair market value of the property to be transferred, as determined by the head of the disposing agency; or
"(B) if such costs are lower than the fair market value of the property, the recipient of the property agrees to pay the difference between the fair market value and such costs.
"(3) Payments to recipients .—In the case of a civilian real property covered by a certification under paragraph (2)(A), the disposing agency may pay the recipient of such property an amount equal to the lesser of—
"(A) the amount by which the costs incurred by the recipient of such property for all environmental restoration, waste management, and environmental compliance activities with respect to such property exceed the fair market value of such property as specified in such certification; or
"(B) the amount by which the costs (as determined by the head of the disposing agency) that would otherwise have been incurred by the Secretary for such restoration, waste management, and environmental compliance activities with respect to such property exceed the fair market value of such property as so specified.
"(4) Information to be provided to recipients .—As part of an agreement under paragraph (1), the head of the disposing agency shall disclose, in accordance with applicable law, to the person to whom the civilian real property will be transferred information possessed by the disposing agency regarding the environmental restoration, waste management, and environmental compliance activities that relate to the property. The head of the disposing agency shall provide such information before entering into the agreement.
"(5) Consideration of environmental remediation in granting time extensions .—For the purposes of granting time extensions under subsection (a), the Director of OMB shall give the need for significant environmental remediation to a civilian real property more weight than any other factor in determining whether to grant an extension to implement a Board recommendation.
"(6) Limitation on statutory construction .—Nothing in this Act may be construed to modify, alter, or amend CERCLA, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [ 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ], or the Solid Waste Disposal Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq. ).
"There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act an initial appropriation of—
"(1) $2,000,000 for salaries and expenses of the Board; and
"(2) $40,000,000 to be deposited into the Asset Proceeds and Space Management Fund for activities related to the implementation of the Board's recommendations.
"(a) Salaries and Expenses Account.—
"(1) Establishment .—There is established in the Treasury of the United States an account to be known as the 'Public Buildings Reform Board Salaries and Expenses Account' (in this subsection referred to as the 'Account'). The Account shall be under the custody and control of the Chairperson of the Board and deposits in the Account shall remain available until expended.
"(2) Necessary payments .—There shall be deposited into the Account such amounts, as are provided in appropriations Acts, for those necessary payments for salaries and expenses to accomplish the administrative needs of the Board.
"(b) Asset Proceeds and Space Management Fund.—
"(1) Establishment .—There is established in the Treasury of the United States an account to be known as the 'Public Buildings Reform Board—Asset Proceeds and Space Management Fund' (in this subsection referred to as the 'Fund'). The Fund shall be under the custody and control of the Administrator of General Services and deposits in the Fund shall remain available until expended.
"(2) Use of amounts .—Amounts in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of carrying out actions pursuant to the Board recommendations approved under section 13.
"(3) Deposits .—The following amounts shall be deposited into the Fund and made available for obligation or expenditure only as provided in advance in appropriations Acts (subject to section 3307 of title 40, United States Code , to the extent an appropriation normally covered by that section exceeds $20,000,000) for the purposes specified:
"(A) Such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts, to remain available until expended, for the consolidation, co-location, exchange, redevelopment, reconfiguration of space, disposal, and other actions recommended by the Board for Federal agencies.
"(B) Amounts received from the sale of any civilian real property action taken pursuant to a recommendation of the Board.
"(4) Use of amounts to cover costs .—As provided in appropriations Acts, amounts in the Fund may be made available to cover necessary costs associated with implementing the recommendations pursuant to section 14, including costs associated with—
"(A) sales transactions;
"(B) acquiring land, construction, constructing replacement facilities, and conducting advance planning and design as may be required to transfer functions from a Federal asset or property to another Federal civilian property;
"(C) co-location, redevelopment, disposal, and reconfiguration of space; and
"(D) other actions recommended by the Board for Federal agencies.
"(c) Additional Requirement for Budget Contents .—The President shall transmit along with the President's budget submitted pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code , an estimate of proceeds that are the result of the Board's recommendations and the obligations and expenditures needed to support such recommendations.
[Amended section 3307 of this title .]
"The following actions shall not be subject to judicial review:
"(1) Actions taken pursuant to sections 12 and 13.
"(2) Actions of the Board.
"Upon transmittal of the Board's recommendations from the Director of OMB to Congress under section 13, the Comptroller General of the United States at least annually shall monitor and review the implementation activities of Federal agencies pursuant to section 14, and report to Congress any findings and recommendations.
"(a) In General .—[Amended section 571 of this title .]
"(b) Effective Date .—The provisions of this section, including the amendments made by this section, shall take effect upon the termination of the Board pursuant to section 10 and shall not apply to proceeds from transactions conducted under section 14.
"(a) Database Required .—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section [Dec. 16, 2016], the Administrator of General Services shall publish a single, comprehensive, and descriptive database of all Federal real property under the custody and control of all executive agencies, other than Federal real property excluded for reasons of national security, in accordance with subsection (b).
"(b) Required Information for Database .—The Administrator shall collect from the head of each executive agency descriptive information, except for classified information, of the nature, use, and extent of the Federal real property of each such agency, including the following:
"(1) The geographic location of each Federal real property of each such agency, including the address and description for each such property.
"(2) The total size of each Federal real property of each such agency, including square footage and acreage of each such property.
"(3) Whether the Federal real property is currently, or will in the future be, needed to support [each such] agency's mission or function.
"(4) The utilization of each Federal real property for each such agency, including whether such property is excess, surplus, underutilized, or unutilized.
"(5) The number of days each Federal real property is designated as excess, surplus, underutilized, or unutilized.
"(6) The annual operating costs of each Federal real property.
"(7) The replacement value of each Federal real property.
"(8) The ability of the Federal real property to support a communications facility installation.
"(c) Access to Database.—
"(1) Federal agencies .—The Administrator, in consultation with the Director of OMB, shall make the database established and maintained under this section available to other Federal agencies.
"(2) Public access .—To the extent consistent with national security and procurement laws, the database shall be accessible by the public at no cost through the Web site of the General Services Administration.
"(d) Transparency of Database .—To the extent practicable, the Administrator shall ensure that the database—
"(1) uses an open, machine-readable format;
"(2) permits users to search and sort Federal real property data; and
"(3) includes a means to download a large amount of Federal real property data and a selection of such data retrieved using a search.
"(e) Applicability .—Nothing in this section may be construed to require an agency to make available to the public information that is exempt from disclosure pursuant to section 552(b) of title 5, United States Code .
"(f) Definition of Communications Facility Installation .—In this section, the term 'communications facility installation' means—
"(1) any infrastructure, including any transmitting device, tower, or support structure, and any equipment, switches, wiring, cabling, power sources, shelters, or cabinets associated with the licensed or permitted unlicensed wireless or wireline transmission of writings, signs, signals, data, images, pictures, and sounds of any kind; and
"(2) any antenna or apparatus that—
"(A) is designed for the purpose of emitting radio frequency;
"(B) is designed to be operated, or is operating, from a fixed location pursuant to authorization by the Federal Communications Commission or is using duly authorized devices that do not require individual licenses; and
"(C) is added to a tower, building, or other structure.
[Amended section 11411 of Title 42 , The Public Health and Welfare.]
[Amended section 549 of this title .]
"(a) Definition .—In this section, the term 'property' means the property located in the District of Columbia, subject to survey and as determined by the Administrator of General Services, generally consisting of Squares 325 and 326 and a portion of Square 351 and generally bounded by 12th Street, Independence Avenue, C Street, and the James Forrestal Building, all in Southwest Washington, District of Columbia, and shall include all associated air rights, improvements thereon, and appurtenances thereto.
"(b) Sale .—Not later than December 31, 2018, the Administrator of General Services shall sell the property at fair market value at highest and best use.
"(c) Requirement .—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the sale of the property by the Administrator of General Services shall ensure continuity of security measures, parking access, and infrastructure requirements of the James Forrestal Building while it is occupied by the Department of Energy.
"(d) Net Proceeds .—Any net proceeds received shall be paid into an account in the Federal Buildings Fund established under section 592 of title 40, United States Code . Upon deposit, the net proceeds from the sale may be expended only subject to a specific future appropriation.
"(a) Definition .—In this section, the term 'property' means property located in the District of Columbia, subject to survey and as determined by the Administrator, generally consisting of Square 326 south of C Street, all in Southwest Washington, District of Columbia, including the building known as the Cotton Annex.
"(b) Sale .—Not later than December 31, 2018, the Administrator of General Services shall sell the property at fair market value at highest and best use.
"(c) Net Proceeds .—Any net proceeds received shall be paid into an account in the Federal Buildings Fund established under section 592 of title 40, United States Code . Upon deposit, the net proceeds from the sale may be expended only subject to a specific future appropriation."
set out above, effective immediately after the enactment of
see section 7(e) of
set out as an Effective Date of 2016 Amendment note under section 571 of this title .]
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1304 -->
(a) Obsolete Buildings and Sites.—
(1) In general .—The Administrator of General Services, in the Administrator's discretion, on terms the Administrator considers proper, and under regulations the Administrator may prescribe, may sell property described in paragraph (2) to a State or a political subdivision of a State for public use if the Administrator considers the sale to be in the best interest of the Federal Government.
(2) Applicable property .—The property referred to in paragraph (1) is any federal building, building site, or part of a building site under the Administrator's control that has been replaced by a new structure and that the Administrator determines is no longer needed by the Government.
(3) Price .—The purchase price for a sale under this section must be at least 50 percent of the value of the land as appraised by the Administrator.
(4) Proceeds of sale .—The proceeds of a sale under this section shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
(5) Payment terms .—The Administrator may enter into a long term contract for the payment of the purchase price in installments that the Administrator considers fair and reasonable. The Administrator may waive any requirement for interest charges on deferred payment.
(6) Conveyance .—The Administrator may convey property sold under this section by the usual quitclaim deed.
(b) Widening of Public Roads.—
(1) Definition .—In this subsection, the term "executive agency" means an executive department or independent establishment in the executive branch of the Government, including any wholly owned Government corporation.
(2) In general .—When a State or a political subdivision of a State applies for a conveyance or transfer of real property of the Government in connection with an authorized widening of a public highway, street, or alley, the head of the executive agency that controls the affected real property may convey or transfer to the State or political subdivision, with or without consideration, an interest in the real property that the agency head determines is not adverse to the interests of the Government. A conveyance or transfer under this subsection is subject to terms and conditions the agency head considers necessary to protect the interests of the Government.
(3) Limitation on transfers for highway purposes .—An interest in real property which can be transferred to a State or a political subdivision of a State for highway purposes under title 23 may not be conveyed or transferred under this subsection.
(4) Limitation on issuance of rights of way .—Rights of way over, under, and through public lands and lands in the National Forest System may not be granted under this subsection.
title VII, §706(a) (related to the Act of July 7, 1960 (
In subsection (a), the words "Administrator of General Services" and "Administrator" are substituted for "Treasury Department" and "Secretary of the Treasury" in the Act of August 26, 1935 because of sections 301 and 303 of Reorganization Plan No. I of 1939 (eff. July 1, 1939, 53 Stat. 1426 , 1427 ) and section 103(a) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (ch. 288, 63 Stat. 380 ), which is restated as section 303(c) [303(b)] of the revised title. In paragraph (1), the words "a State or a political subdivision of a State" are substituted for "States, counties, municipalities, or other duly constituted political subdivisions of States" for consistency with subsection (b).
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1305 -->
The General Services Administration may take custody, for disposal as excess property under this subtitle and division C (except sections 3302, 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41, of land acquired by the Federal Government by devise.
The words "and title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ( 41 U.S.C. 251 et seq. )" are added to provide an accurate literal translation of the word "this Act", meaning the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949. See the revision note under section 111 of this title . The words "as have been or may hereafter be" are omitted as unnecessary.
substituted "division C (except sections 3302, 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41" for "title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ( 41 U.S.C. 251 et seq. )".
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1306 -->
(a) Definitions .—In this section—
(1) Agency .—The term "agency" includes any executive department, independent establishment, board, commission, bureau, service, or division of the Federal Government, and any corporation in which the Government owns at least a majority of the stock.
(2) Property .—The term "property" means all personal property, including vessels, vehicles, and aircraft.
(b) Voluntarily Abandoned Property .—Property voluntarily abandoned to any agency in a way that vests title to the property in the Government may be retained by the agency and devoted to official use only. If the agency does not desire to retain the property, the head of the agency immediately shall notify the Administrator of General Services to that effect, and the Administrator, within a reasonable time, shall—
(1) order the agency to deliver the property to another agency that requests the property and that the Administrator believes should be given the property; or
(2) order disposal of the property as otherwise provided by law.
(c) Forfeited Property.—
(1) Agency retains property .—An agency that seizes property that has been forfeited to the Government other than by court decree may retain the property and devote it only to official use instead of disposing of the property as otherwise provided by law if competent authority does not order the property returned to any claimant.
(2) Agency does not desire to retain property .—If the agency does not desire to retain the property, the head of the agency immediately shall notify the Administrator to that effect, and the property—
(A) if not ordered by competent authority to be returned to any claimant, or disposed of as otherwise provided by law, shall be delivered by the agency, on order of the Administrator given within a reasonable time, to another agency that requests the property and that the Administrator believes should be given the property; or
(B) on order of the Administrator given within a reasonable time, shall be disposed of as otherwise provided by law.
(d) Property Subject to Court Proceeding for Forfeiture.—
(1) Notification of administrator .—If a proceeding has begun for the forfeiture of any property by court decree, the agency that seized the property immediately shall notify the Administrator and at the same time may file with the Administrator a request for the property for its official use.
(2) Application for court order to deliver property.—
(A) In general .—Before entry of a decree, the Administrator shall apply to the court to order delivery of the property in accordance with this paragraph.
(B) Delivery to seizing agency .—If the agency that seized the property files a request for the property under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall apply to the court to order delivery of the property to the agency that seized the property.
(C) Delivery to other requesting agency .—If the agency that seized the property does not file a request for the property under paragraph (1) but another agency requests the property, the Administrator shall apply to the court to order delivery of the property to the requesting agency if the Administrator believes that the requesting agency should be given the property.
(D) Delivery to seizing agency for temporary holding .—If application to the court cannot be made under subparagraph (B) or (C) and the Administrator believes the property may later become necessary to any agency for official use, the Administrator shall apply to the court to order delivery of the property to the agency that seized the property, to be retained in its custody. Within a reasonable time, the Administrator shall order the agency to—
(i) deliver the property to another agency that requests the property and that the Administrator believes should be given the property; or
(ii) dispose of the property as otherwise provided by law.
(3) Forfeiture decreed .—If forfeiture is decreed and the property is not ordered by competent authority to be returned to any claimant, the court shall order delivery as provided in paragraph (2).
(4) When no application made .—The court shall dispose of property for which no application is made in accordance with law.
(e) Retention or Delivery of Property Deemed Sale .—Retention or delivery of forfeited or abandoned property under this section is deemed to be a sale of the property for the purpose of laws providing for informer's fees or remission or mitigation of a forfeiture. Property acquired under this section when no longer needed for official use shall be disposed of in the same manner as other surplus property.
(f) Payment of Costs Related to Property.—
(1) Availability of appropriations .—The appropriation available to an agency for the purchase, hire, operation, maintenance, and repair of any property is available for—
(A) the payment of expenses of operation, maintenance, and repair of property of the same kind the agency receives under this section for official use;
(B) the payment of a lien recognized and allowed under law;
(C) the payment of amounts found to be due a person on the authorized remission or mitigation of a forfeiture; and
(D) reimbursement of other agencies as provided in paragraph (2).
(2) Payment and reimbursement of certain costs .—The agency that receives property under this section shall pay the cost of hauling, transporting, towing, and storing the property. If the property is later delivered to another agency for official use under this section, the agency to which the property is delivered shall make reimbursement for all of those costs incurred prior to the date the property is delivered.
(g) Report .—With the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Administrator may require an agency to make a report of all property abandoned to it or seized and the disposal of the property.
(1) Regulations .—With the approval of the Secretary, the Administrator may prescribe regulations necessary to carry out this section.
(2) Other laws not repealed .—This section does not repeal any other laws relating to the disposition of forfeited or abandoned property, except provisions of those laws directly in conflict with this section which were enacted prior to August 27, 1935.
(3) Property not subject to allocation under this section .—The following classes of property are not subject to allocation under this section, but shall be disposed of in the manner otherwise provided by law:
(A) narcotic drugs, as defined in the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 801 et seq. ).
(B) firearms, as defined in section 5845 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ( 26 U.S.C. 5845 ).
(C) other classes or kinds of property the disposal of which the Administrator, with the approval of the Secretary, may consider in the public interest, and may by regulation provide.
In this section, the words "Administrator" and "Administrator of General Services" are substituted for "Director" and "Director of the Procurement Division of the Treasury Department of the United States" [subsequently changed to "Bureau of Federal Supply" by regulation §5.7 of subpart A of Part 5 of Title 41, Public Contracts, eff. January 1, 1947, 11 F. R. 13636] because of section 102(a) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (ch. 288, 63 Stat. 380 ), which is restated as section 303(a)(1) of the revised title.
In subsection (a), the text of 40:304f(3) is omitted because the complete name of the Administrator of General Services is used the first time the term appears in a section.
In subsection (c)(1), the words "(including advertisement for sale, and sale)" are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (d)(3), the words "as provided in paragraph (2)" are substituted for "accordingly" for clarity.
In subsection (g), the words "from time to time" are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (h)(2), the words "which were enacted prior to August 27, 1935" are added for clarity.
In subsection (h)(3), the text of 40:304m(1) is omitted because section 4 of the Act of June 15, 1917 (22:404) was repealed by section 2 of the Act of August 13, 1953 (ch. 434, 67 Stat. 577 ). In subclause (C), the words "the disposal of which" are substituted for "as" for clarity.
The Controlled Substances Act, referred to in subsec. (h)(3)(A), is title II of
Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1242 , which is classified principally to subchapter I (§801 et seq.) of chapter 13 of Title 21 , Food and Drugs. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 801 of Title 21 and Tables.
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1307 -->
The President, or an officer, agent, or agency the President may designate, may dispose of any securities acquired on behalf of the Federal Government under the provisions of the Transportation Act of 1920 (ch. 91, 41 Stat. 456 ), including any securities acquired as an incident to a case under title 11, under a receivership or reorganization proceeding, by assignment, transfer, substitution, or issuance, or by acquisition of collateral given for the payment of obligations to the Government, or may make arrangements for the extension of the maturity of the securities, in the manner, in amounts, at prices, for cash, securities, or other property or any combination of cash, securities, or other property, and on terms and conditions the President or designee considers advisable and in the public interest.
The words "sell, exchange, or otherwise", "bonds, notes, or other", "purchase, default, or other", and "(whether at a foreclosure sale or otherwise)" are omitted as unnecessary.
The Transportation Act of 1920, referred to in text, is act Feb. 28, 1920, ch. 91, 41 Stat. 456 , as amended, which was classified to section 316 of former Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, section 1375a of former Title 10, Army and Air Force, sections 131 to 146 of Title 45 , Railroads, and sections 1 to 5, 6, 10 to 15a, 16, 17, 18, 19a, 20, 20a, 25 to 27, 71 to 74, 76 to 79, 141, and 142 of Title 49 , Transportation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. Numerous sections of the Act that were classified to Title 49 were repealed by
§4(b), Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1467 , the first section of which enacted subtitle IV (§10101 et seq.) of Title 49. For distribution of former sections of Title 49 into the revised Title 49, see table at the beginning of Title 49. Section 316 of former Title 40 was repealed and reenacted as this section by
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1308 -->
Subject to applicable regulations under this subtitle and division C (except sections 3302, 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41, horses and mules belonging to the Federal Government that have become unfit for service may be destroyed or put out to pasture, either on pastures belonging to the Government or those belonging to financially sound and reputable humane organizations whose facilities permit them to care for the horses and mules during the remainder of their natural lives, at no cost to the Government.
The words "and title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ( 41 U.S.C. 251 et seq. )" are added to provide an accurate literal translation of the word "this Act", meaning the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949. See the revision note under section 111 of this title .
substituted "division C (except sections 3302, 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41" for "title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ( 41 U.S.C. 251 et seq. )".
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1309 -->
The Administrator of General Services may make contracts and provisions for the preservation, sale, or collection of property, or the proceeds of property, which may have been wrecked, been abandoned, or become derelict, if the Administrator considers the contracts and provisions to be in the interest of the Federal Government and the property is within the jurisdiction of the United States and should come to the Government. A contract may provide compensation the Administrator considers just and reasonable to any person who gives information about the property or actually preserves, collects, surrenders, or pays over the property. Under each specific agreement for obtaining, preserving, collecting, or receiving property or making property available, the costs or claim chargeable to the Government may not exceed amounts realized and received by the Government.
The words "or of any moneys, dues, and other interests lately in the possession of or due to the so-called Confederate States, or their agents, and now belonging to the United States, which are now withheld or retained by any person, corporation or municipality whatever, and which ought to have come into the possession and custody of, or been collected or received by, the United States" in section 3755 of the Revised Statues [sic] and "debts, dues, or interests, which shall not be paid from such moneys as shall be realized and received from the property so collected, under each specific agreement" are omitted as obsolete.
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1310 -->
(a) In General .—The President, through the head of any executive department and on terms the head of the department considers expedient, may sell to a person, another department of the Federal Government, or the government of a foreign country engaged in war against a country with which the United States is at war—
(1) war supplies, material, and equipment;
(2) by-products of the war supplies, material, and equipment; and
(3) any building, plant, or factory, including the land on which the plant or factory may be situated, acquired since April 6, 1917, for the production of war supplies, materials, and equipment that, during the emergency existing on July 9, 1918, may have been purchased, acquired, or manufactured by the Government.
(b) Limitation on Sale of Guns and Ammunition .—Sales of guns and ammunition authorized under any law shall be limited to—
(1) other departments of the Government;
(2) governments of foreign countries engaged in war against a country with which the United States is at war; and
(3) members of the National Rifle Association and of other recognized associations organized in the United States for the encouragement of small-arms target practice.
In this section, the words "government of a foreign country" are substituted for "foreign State or Government", and the words "against a country" are substituted for "against any Government", for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.
In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words "partnership, association" are omitted because of the definition of person in 1:1.
In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words "in this section or . . . other" are omitted as unnecessary.
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1311 -->
For the use or benefit of the Federal Government, the President may obtain from an individual or officer to whom land has been or will be conveyed a release of the individual's or officer's interest to the Government.
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1312 -->(a) In General .—Real estate that has become the property of the Federal Government in payment of a debt which afterward is fully paid in money and received by the Government may be conveyed by the Administrator of General Services to the debtor from whom it was taken or to the heirs or devisees of the debtor or the person that they may appoint.
(b) Nonapplication .—This section does not apply to real estate the Government acquires in payment of any debt arising under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ( 26 U.S.C. 1 et seq. ).
In subsection (a), the words "by conveyance, extent, or otherwise" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury" were substituted for "Solicitor of the Treasury" in section 3751 of the Revised Statutes because section 512(b) of the Revenue Act of 1934 (ch. 277, 48 Stat. 759 ) abolished the offices of General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel for the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the offices of Solicitor and Assistant Solicitor of the Treasury and transferred the powers, duties, and functions of those offices to the General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury. The words "release by deed or otherwise" and "if he is living, or, if such debtor is dead" are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (b), the words "the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ( 26 U.S.C. 1 et seq. )" are substituted for "the internal-revenue laws" for clarity and for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b), is classified to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1313 -->
(a) Stipulation of Discharge.—
(1) Person asserting claim entitled to benefits .—In a judicial proceeding under the laws of a State, district, territory, or possession of the United States, when property owned or held by the Federal Government, or in which the Government has or claims an interest, is seized, arrested, attached, or held for the security or satisfaction of a claim made against the property, the Attorney General may direct the United States Attorney for the district in which the property is located to enter a stipulation that on discharge of the property from the seizure, arrest, attachment, or proceeding, the person asserting the claim against the property becomes entitled to all the benefits of this section.
(2) Nonapplication .—This subsection does not—
(A) recognize or concede any right to enforce by seizure, arrest, attachment, or any judicial process a claim against property—
(i) of the Government; or
(ii) held, owned, or employed by the Government, or by a department of the Government, for a public use; or
(B) waive an objection to a proceeding brought to enforce the claim.
(b) Payment .—After a discharge, a final judgment which affirms the claim for the security or satisfaction and the right of the person asserting the claim to enforce it against the property, notwithstanding the claims of the Government, is deemed to be a full and final determination of the rights of the person and entitles the person, as against the Government, to the rights the person would have had if possession of the property had not been changed. When the claim is for the payment of money found to be due, presentation of an authenticated copy of the record of the judgment and proceedings is sufficient evidence to the proper accounting officers for the allowance of the claim, which shall be allowed and paid out of amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. The amount allowed and paid shall not exceed the value of the interest of the Government in the property.
In subsection (a)(1), the words "territory, or possession of the United States" are substituted for "or territory" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words "in his discretion" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "General Counsel for the department of Treasury" were substituted for "Solicitor of the Treasury" in section 3753 of the Revised Statutes because section 512(b) of the Revenue Act of 1934 (ch. 277, 48 Stat. 759 ) abolished the offices of General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel for the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the offices of Solicitor and Assistant Solicitor of the Treasury and transferred the powers, duties, and functions of those offices to the General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury.
In subsection (b), the words "in the court of last resort to which the Attorney General may deem proper to cause such proceedings to be carried", "to all intents and purposes", "and the same is by such judgment found to be due", and "duly" are omitted as unnecessary.
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1314 -->
(a) Definitions .—In this section—
(1) Executive agency .—The term "executive agency" means an executive department or independent establishment in the executive branch of the Federal Government, including a wholly owned Government corporation.
(2) Real property of the government .—The term "real property of the Government" excludes—
(A) public land (including minerals, vegetative, and other resources) in the United States, including—
(i) land reserved or dedicated for national forest purposes;
(ii) land the Secretary of the Interior administers or supervises in accordance with section 100101(a), chapter 1003 , and sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of title 54 ;
(iii) Indian-owned trust and restricted land; and
(iv) land the Government acquires primarily for fish and wildlife conservation purposes and the Secretary administers;
(B) land withdrawn from the public domain primarily under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; and
(C) land acquired for national forest purposes.
(3) State .—The term "State" means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions of the United States.
(b) Grant of Easement .—When a State, a political subdivision or agency of a State, or a person applies for the grant of an easement in, over, or on real property of the Government, the executive agency having control of the real property may grant to the applicant, on behalf of the Government, an easement that the head of the agency decides will not be adverse to the interests of the Government, subject to reservations, exceptions, limitations, benefits, burdens, terms, or conditions that the head of the agency considers necessary to protect the interests of the Government. The grant may be made without consideration, or with monetary or other consideration, including an interest in real property.
(c) Relinquishment of Legislative Jurisdiction .—In connection with the grant of an easement, the executive agency concerned may relinquish to the State in which the real property is located legislative jurisdiction that the executive agency considers necessary or desirable. Relinquishment of legislative jurisdiction may be accomplished by filing with the chief executive officer of the State a notice of relinquishment to take effect upon acceptance or by proceeding in the manner that the laws applicable to the State may provide.
(d) Termination of Easement.—
(1) When termination occurs .—The instrument granting the easement may provide for termination of any part of the easement if there has been—
(A) a failure to comply with a term or condition of the grant;
(B) a nonuse of the easement for a consecutive 2-year period for the purpose for which granted; or
(C) an abandonment of the easement.
(2) Notice required .—If a termination provision is included, it shall require that written notice of the termination be given to the grantee, or its successors or assigns.
(3) Effective date .—The termination is effective as of the date of the notice.
(e) Additional Easement Authority .—The authority conferred by this section is in addition to, and shall not affect or be subject to, any other law under which an executive agency may grant easements.
(f) Limitation on Issuance of Rights of Way .—Rights of way over, under, and through public lands and lands in the National Forest System may not be granted under this section.
In subsection (a), the text of 40:319c(c) is omitted because of 1:1. In clause (3), the words "territories and" are added for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.
In subsection (b), the words "for a right-of-way or other purpose" are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (c), the words "affected" and "concerned" before "a notice" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "chief executive officer" are substituted for "Governor" for clarity.
2014—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii).
substituted "section 100101(a), chapter 1003 , and sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of title 54 " for "the Act of August 25, 1916 ( 16 U.S.C. 1, 2, 3, 4 ) (known as the National Park Service Organic Act)".
CHAPTER 13 -PUBLIC PROPERTY!@!Sec. 1315 -->
(a) In General .—To the extent provided for by transfers made pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the Secretary of Homeland Security (in this section referred to as the "Secretary") shall protect the buildings, grounds, and property that are owned, occupied, or secured by the Federal Government (including any agency, instrumentality, or wholly owned or mixed-ownership corporation thereof) and the persons on the property.
(b) Officers and Agents.—
(1) Designation .—The Secretary may designate employees of the Department of Homeland Security, including employees transferred to the Department from the Office of the Federal Protective Service of the General Services Administration pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as officers and agents for duty in connection with the protection of property owned or occupied by the Federal Government and persons on the property, including duty in areas outside the property to the extent necessary to protect the property and persons on the property.
(2) Powers .—While engaged in the performance of official duties, an officer or agent designated under this subsection may—
(A) enforce Federal laws and regulations for the protection of persons and property;
(B) carry firearms;
(C) make arrests without a warrant for any offense against the United States committed in the presence of the officer or agent or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if the officer or agent has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing a felony;
(D) serve warrants and subpoenas issued under the authority of the United States;
(E) conduct investigations, on and off the property in question, of offenses that may have been committed against property owned or occupied by the Federal Government or persons on the property; and
(F) carry out such other activities for the promotion of homeland security as the Secretary may prescribe.
(1) In general .—The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, may prescribe regulations necessary for the protection and administration of property owned or occupied by the Federal Government and persons on the property. The regulations may include reasonable penalties, within the limits prescribed in paragraph (2), for violations of the regulations. The regulations shall be posted and remain posted in a conspicuous place on the property.
(2) Penalties .—A person violating a regulation prescribed under this subsection shall be fined under title 18, United States Code , imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both.
(1) Requests of agencies .—On the request of the head of a Federal agency having charge or control of property owned or occupied by the Federal Government, the Secretary may detail officers and agents designated under this section for the protection of the property and persons on the property.
(2) Applicability of regulations .—The Secretary may—
(A) extend to property referred to in paragraph (1) the applicability of regulations prescribed under this section and enforce the regulations as provided in this section; or
(B) utilize the authority and regulations of the requesting agency if agreed to in writing by the agencies.
(3) Facilities and services of other agencies .—When the Secretary determines it to be economical and in the public interest, the Secretary may utilize the facilities and services of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, with the consent of the agencies.
(e) Authority Outside Federal Property .—For the protection of property owned or occupied by the Federal Government and persons on the property, the Secretary may enter into agreements with Federal agencies and with State and local governments to obtain authority for officers and agents designated under this section to enforce Federal laws and State and local laws concurrently with other Federal law enforcement officers and with State and local law enforcement officers.
(f) Secretary and Attorney General Approval .—The powers granted to officers and agents designated under this section shall be exercised in accordance with guidelines approved by the Secretary and the Attorney General.
(g) Limitation on Statutory Construction .—Nothing in this section shall be construed to—
(1) preclude or limit the authority of any Federal law enforcement agency; or
(2) restrict the authority of the Administrator of General Services to promulgate regulations affecting property under the Administrator's custody and control.
In this section, the word "duly" is omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (e), the words "who have been" are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (g)(1), the words "fined under title 18" are substituted for "fined not more than $50" for consistency with chapter 227 of title 18 .
In subsection (g)(2)(B), the words "similar offense" are substituted for "like or similar offense" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "of the United States" are added for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.
The Homeland Security Act of 2002, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(1), is
Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2135 , which is classified principally to chapter 1 (§101 et seq.) of Title 6 , Domestic Security. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 101 of Title 6 and Tables.
amended catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:
"(a) Appointment .—The Administrator of General Services, or an official of the General Services Administration authorized by the Administrator, may appoint uniformed guards of the Administration as special police without additional compensation for duty in connection with the policing of all buildings and areas owned or occupied by the Federal Government and under the charge and control of the Administrator.
"(b) Powers .—Special police appointed under this section have the same powers as sheriffs and constables on property referred to in subsection (a) to enforce laws enacted for the protection of individuals and property, prevent breaches of the peace, suppress affrays or unlawful assemblies, and enforce regulations prescribed by the Administrator or an official of the Administration authorized by the Administrator for property under their jurisdiction. However, the jurisdiction and policing powers of special police do not extend to the service of civil process.
"(c) Detail .—On the application of the head of a department or agency of the Government having property of the Government under its administration and control, the Administrator or an official of the Administration authorized by the Administrator may detail special police for the protection of the property and, if the Administrator considers it desirable, may extend to the property the applicability of regulations and enforce them as provided in this section.
"(d) Use of Other Law Enforcement Agencies .—When it is considered economical and in the public interest, the Administrator or an official of the Administration authorized by the Administrator may utilize the facilities and services of existing federal law enforcement agencies, and, with the consent of a state or local agency, the facilities and services of state or local law enforcement agencies.
"(e) Nonuniformed Special Police .—The Administrator, or an official of the Administration authorized by the Administrator, may empower officials or employees of the Administration authorized to perform investigative functions to act as nonuniformed special police to protect property under the charge and control of the Administration and to carry firearms, whether on federal property or in travel status. When on real property under the charge and control of the Administration, officials or employees empowered to act as nonuniformed special police have the power to enforce federal laws for the protection of individuals and property and to enforce regulations for that purpose that the Administrator or an official of the Administration authorized by the Administrator prescribes and publishes. The special police may make arrests without warrant for any offense committed on the property if the police have reasonable grounds to believe the offense constitutes a felony under the laws of the United States and that the individual to be arrested is guilty of that offense.
"(f) Administrative .—The Administrator or an official of the Administration authorized by the Administrator may prescribe regulations necessary for the government of the property under their charge and control, and may annex to the regulations reasonable penalties, within the limits prescribed in subsection (g), that will ensure their enforcement. The regulations shall be posted and kept posted in a conspicuous place on the property.
"(1) In general .—Except as provided in paragraph (2), a person violating a regulation prescribed under subsection (f) shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both.
"(2) Exception for military traffic regulation.—
"(A) Definition .—For purposes of this paragraph, the term 'military traffic regulation' means a regulation for the control of vehicular or pedestrian traffic on military installations that the Secretary of Defense prescribes under subsection (f).
"(B) In general .—A person violating a military traffic regulation shall be fined an amount not exceeding the amount of the maximum fine for a similar offense under the criminal or civil law of the State, district, territory, or possession of the United States where the military installation in which the violation occurred is located, imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both."
effective 60 days after Nov. 25, 2002, see section 4 of
set out as an Effective Date note under section 101 of Title 6 , Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Protective Service of the General Services Administration, including the functions of the Administrator of General Services relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 203(3), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6 , Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6 .
title XVII, §1706(b)(2), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2318 , provided that: "The Secretary may delegate authority for the protection of specific buildings to another Federal agency where, in the Secretary's discretion, the Secretary determines it necessary for the protection of that building."
[For definition of "Secretary" as used in section 1706(b)(2) of
set out above, see section 101(16) of Title 6 , Domestic Security.]
"This Act may be cited as the 'Federal Protective Service Guard Contracting Reform Act of 2008'.
"(a) Prohibition on Award of Contracts to Any Business Concern Owned, Controlled, or Operated by an Individual Convicted of a Felony.—
"(1) In general .—The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Assistant Secretary of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement—
"(A) shall promulgate regulations establishing guidelines for the prohibition of contract awards for the provision of guard services under the contract security guard program of the Federal Protective Service to any business concern that is owned, controlled, or operated by an individual who has been convicted of a felony; and
"(B) may consider permanent or interim prohibitions when promulgating the regulations.
"(2) Contents .—The regulations under this subsection shall—
"(A) identify which serious felonies may prohibit a contractor from being awarded a contract;
"(B) require contractors to provide information regarding any relevant felony convictions when submitting bids or proposals; and
"(C) provide guidelines for the contracting officer to assess present responsibility, mitigating factors, and the risk associated with the previous conviction, and allow the contracting officer to award a contract under certain circumstances.
"(b) Regulations .—Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 8, 2008], the Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out this section.
"Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the [probably should be "this"] Act, the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy shall submit a report on establishing similar guidelines government-wide to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability] of the House of Representatives."