[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 117 (Thursday, August 2, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H5649-H5650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     AUTHORIZING THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL TO ESTABLISH BATTERY 
            RECHARGING STATIONS UNDER JURISDICTION OF SENATE

  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (S. 739) to authorize 
the Architect of the Capitol to establish battery recharging stations 
for privately owned vehicles in parking areas under the jurisdiction of 
the Senate at no net cost to the Federal Government, and ask for its 
immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bass of New Hampshire). Is there 
objection to the request of the gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                 S. 739

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. BATTERY RECHARGING STATIONS FOR PRIVATELY OWNED 
                   VEHICLES IN PARKING AREAS UNDER THE 
                   JURISDICTION OF THE SENATE AT NO NET COST TO 
                   THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

       (a) Definition.--In this Act, the term ``covered employee'' 
     means--
       (1) an employee whose pay is disbursed by the Secretary of 
     the Senate; or
       (2) any other individual who is authorized to park in any 
     parking area under the jurisdiction of the Senate on Capitol 
     Grounds.
       (b) Authority.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), funds 
     appropriated to the Architect of the Capitol under the 
     heading ``Capitol Power Plant'' under the heading ``ARCHITECT 
     OF THE CAPITOL'' in any fiscal year are available to 
     construct, operate, and maintain on a reimbursable basis 
     battery recharging stations in parking areas under the 
     jurisdiction of the Senate on Capitol Grounds for use by 
     privately owned vehicles used by Senators or covered 
     employees.
       (2) Vendors authorized.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Architect of the Capitol may use 1 or more vendors on a 
     commission basis.
       (3) Approval of construction.--The Architect of the Capitol 
     may construct or direct the construction of battery 
     recharging stations described under paragraph (1) after--
       (A) submission of written notice detailing the numbers and 
     locations of the battery recharging stations to the Committee 
     on Rules and Administration of the Senate; and
       (B) approval by that Committee.
       (c) Fees and Charges.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Architect of 
     the Capitol shall charge fees or charges for electricity 
     provided to Senators and covered employees sufficient to 
     cover the costs to the Architect of the Capitol to carry out 
     this section, including costs to any vendors or other costs 
     associated with maintaining the battery recharging stations.
       (2) Approval of fees or charges.--The Architect of the 
     Capitol may establish and adjust fees or charges under 
     paragraph (1) after--
       (A) submission of written notice detailing the amount of 
     the fee or charge to be established or adjusted to the 
     Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate; and
       (B) approval by that Committee.
       (d) Deposit and Availability of Fees, Charges, and 
     Commissions.--Any fees, charges, or commissions collected by 
     the Architect of the Capitol under this section shall be--
       (1) deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the 
     appropriations account described under subsection (b); and
       (2) available for obligation without further appropriation 
     during--
       (A) the fiscal year collected; and
       (B) the fiscal year following the fiscal year collected.
       (e) Reports.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the end of 
     each fiscal year, the Architect of the Capitol shall submit a 
     report on the financial administration and cost recovery of 
     activities under this section with respect to that fiscal 
     year to the Committee on Rules and Administration of the 
     Senate.
       (2) Avoiding subsidy.--
       (A) Determination.--Not later than 3 years after the date 
     of enactment of this Act and every 3 years thereafter, the 
     Architect of the Capitol shall submit a report to the 
     Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate 
     determining whether Senators and covered employees using 
     battery charging stations as authorized by this Act are 
     receiving a subsidy from the taxpayers.
       (B) Modification of rates and fees.--If a determination is 
     made under subparagraph (A) that a subsidy is being received, 
     the Architect of the Capital shall submit a plan to the 
     Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate on how to 
     update the program to ensure no subsidy is being received. If 
     the committee does not act on the plan within 60 days, the 
     Architect of the Capitol shall take appropriate steps to 
     increase rates or fees to ensure reimbursement for the cost 
     of the program consistent with an appropriate schedule for 
     amortization, to be charged to those using the charging 
     stations.

[[Page H5650]]

       (f) Effective Date.--This Act shall apply with respect to 
     fiscal year 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter.

  The bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the third 
time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________