Use of bird-safe features, practices, and strategies in public buildings

(a)

In general

Chapter 33 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

3319.

Use of bird-safe features, practices, and strategies in public buildings

(a)

Construction, alteration, and acquisition of public buildings

The Administrator of General Services shall incorporate, to the extent practicable, features, practices, and strategies to reduce bird fatality resulting from collisions with public buildings for each public building—(1)constructed;(2)acquired; or(3)of which more than 50 percent of the facade is substantially altered (in the opinion of the Commissioner of Public Buildings).(b)

Design guide

The Administrator shall develop a design guide to carry out subsection (a) that includes the following:(1)Features for reducing bird fatalities resulting from collisions with public buildings throughout all construction phases, taking into account the risks and available information on bird fatalities that occur at different types of public buildings.(2)Methods and strategies for reducing bird fatalities resulting from collisions with public buildings during the operation and maintenance of such buildings, including installing interior, exterior, and site lighting.(3)Best practices for reducing bird fatalities resulting from collisions with public buildings, including—(A)a description of the reasons for adopting such practices; and(B)an explanation for the omission of a best practice identified pursuant to subsection (c).(c)

Identifying best practices

To carry out subsection (b)(3), the Administrator may identify best practices for reducing bird fatalities resulting from collisions with public buildings, including best practices recommended by—(1)Federal agencies with expertise in bird conservation;(2)nongovernmental organizations with expertise in bird conservation; and(3)representatives of green building certification systems.(d)

Dissemination of design guide

The Administrator shall disseminate the design guide developed pursuant to subsection (b) to all Federal agencies, subagencies, and departments with independent leasing authority from the Administrator.(e)

Update to design guide

The Administrator shall, on a regular basis, update the design guide developed pursuant to subsection (b) with respect to the priorities of the Administrator for reducing bird fatalities resulting from collisions with public buildings.(f)

Exempt buildings

This section shall not apply to—(1)any building or site listed, or eligible for listing, on the National Register of Historic Places;(2)the White House and the grounds of the White House;(3)the Supreme Court building and the grounds of the Supreme Court; or(4)the United States Capitol and any building on the grounds of the Capitol.(g)

Compliance

Not later than October 1 of each fiscal year, the Administrator, acting through the Commissioner, shall gather information on compliance with and certify to Congress that the Administrator uses the design guide developed pursuant to subsection (b) for each public building described in subsection (a).(h)

Report

Not later than October 1 of each fiscal year, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report that includes—(1)the information under subsection (g);(2)to the extent practicable, an assessment of bird fatalities that occurred as a result of a collision with the public buildings occupied by the respective head of each Federal agency; and(3)any recommendations to reduce the risk of bird fatalities in and around public buildings occupied by Federal agencies.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 33 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

3319. Use of bird-safe features, practices, and strategies in public buildings.