[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 81 (Monday, May 23, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H2941-H2945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            PUBLIC BUILDINGS REFORM AND SAVINGS ACT OF 2016

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4487) to reduce costs of Federal real estate, improve 
building security, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4487

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Public Buildings Reform and 
     Savings Act of 2016''.

     SEC. 2. STREAMLINED LEASING PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) Execution of Leases.--The Administrator of General 
     Services shall establish and conduct a pilot program to 
     execute lease agreements pursuant to authority provided under 
     section 585 of title 40, United States Code, using 
     alternative procedures.
       (b) Adoption.--The Administrator shall prescribe 
     alternative procedures to enter into lease agreements in 
     accordance with section 585 of title 40, United States Code, 
     pursuant to the provisions of this section.
       (c) Goals of Procedures.--The goals of the alternative 
     procedures are--
       (1) reducing the costs to the Federal Government of leased 
     space, including--
       (A) executing long-term leases with firm terms of 10 years 
     or more and reducing costly holdover and short-term lease 
     extensions, including short firm term leases;
       (B) improving office space utilization rates of Federal 
     tenants; and
       (C) streamlining and simplifying the leasing process to 
     take advantage of real estate markets; and
       (2) significantly reducing or eliminating the backlog of 
     expiring leases over the next 5 years.
       (d) Leasehold Interests in Real Property.--
       (1) Simplified procedures.--Notwithstanding section 3305(b) 
     of title 41, United States Code, but otherwise in accordance 
     with such section, the Administrator shall provide special 
     simplified procedures for acquisitions of leasehold interests 
     in real property at rental rates that do not exceed the 
     simplified lease acquisition threshold, as defined in 
     paragraph (2). The rental rate under a multiyear lease does 
     not exceed the simplified lease acquisition threshold if the 
     average annual amount of the rent payable for the period of 
     the lease does not exceed the simplified lease acquisition 
     threshold.
       (2) Acquisition threshold.--For purposes of this section, 
     the simplified lease acquisition threshold is $500,000.
       (e) Consolidated Lease Prospectuses.--The Administrator 
     may, when acquiring leasehold interests subject to section 
     3307 of title 40, United States Code, transmit, pursuant to 
     subsection (b) of such section, to the committees designated 
     in such section for approval a prospectus to acquire leased 
     space, and waive the requirements pursuant to paragraphs (3) 
     and (6) of section 3307(b), subject to the following 
     requirements:
       (1) Cost per square footage.--The cost per square footage 
     does not exceed the maximum proposed rental rate designated 
     for the respective geographical area.
       (2) Space utilization.--The Administrator ensures the 
     overall space utilization rate is 170 usable square feet per 
     person or better based on actual agency staffing levels when 
     occupied.
       (3) Lease term.--The lease term, including the firm term, 
     is not less than 10 years.
       (4) Geographic location.--The geographical location is 
     identified as having a large amount of square footage of 
     Federal office space and lease turnover and will likely 
     result in providing for the ability, on a timely basis, of 
     the agency to consolidate space effectively or meet any 
     requirements for temporary or interim space required for 
     planned consolidations.
       (f) Consolidations Generally.--The Administrator may 
     consolidate more than 1 project into a single prospectus 
     submitted pursuant to section 3307(b), title 40, United 
     States Code, if such consolidation will facilitate 
     efficiencies and reductions in overall space and improved 
     utilization rates.
       (g) Waiver Authority.--The Administrator may--
       (1) waive notice and comment rulemaking, if the 
     Administrator determines the waiver is necessary to implement 
     this section expeditiously; and
       (2) carry out the alternative procedures under this section 
     as a pilot program.
       (h) Reports.--
       (1) Annual reports.--During the period in which the pilot 
     program is conducted under this section, the Administrator 
     shall submit, annually, to the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a 
     progress report that provides updates on the number and 
     square footage of leases expiring in the 5-year period 
     beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, by agency and 
     region, and which shall include for the expiring leases--
       (A) an average of the lease terms, including firm terms, 
     for leases executed; and
       (B) the percentage of leases managed in-house or through 
     the use of commercial real estate leasing services.
       (2) Final report.--Not later than 180 days after 
     termination of the pilot program, the Administrator shall 
     submit a final report to the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate. The 
     final report shall include--
       (A) a review and evaluation of the lease agreements 
     executed under the alternative procedures established 
     pursuant to this section in comparison to those agreements 
     not executed pursuant to the alternative procedures;
       (B) recommendations on any permanent changes to the General 
     Services Administration's leasing authority; and
       (C) a progress evaluation in meeting the goals described in 
     subsection (c).
       (i) Termination.--The authorities under this section shall 
     terminate on December 31, 2021.

     SEC. 3. EXCHANGE AUTHORITY.

       (a) Limitation on Exchange Authority.--Section 3307(a) of 
     title 40, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(including by 
     exchange)'' after ``acquire''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) An appropriation for any costs and expenses 
     associated with administering an acquisition by exchange 
     involving real property or in-kind consideration, including 
     services, with a fair market value of $2,850,000 or more.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall not apply to projects in which a procurement has 
     already begun.

     SEC. 4. FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE.

       (a) Section 1315 of title 40, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(h) Contract Security Personnel.--
       ``(1) Authorities for contract security personnel.--
       ``(A) Carrying of firearms.--The Secretary may authorize 
     contract security personnel engaged in the protection of 
     buildings and grounds that are owned, occupied, or secured by 
     the General Services Administration Public Buildings Service 
     to carry firearms to carry out their official duties.
       ``(B) Detention without a warrant.--A person authorized to 
     carry a firearm under this subsection may, while in the 
     performance of, and in connection with, official duties, 
     detain an individual without a warrant for any offense 
     against the United States committed in that person's presence 
     or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United 
     States if that person has reasonable grounds to believe that 
     the individual to be detained has committed or is committing 
     such felony. The detention authority conferred by this 
     paragraph is in addition to any detention authority provided 
     under other laws.
       ``(2) Limitations.--The following limitations apply:
       ``(A) Detention.--Contract security personnel authorized to 
     carry firearms under this section may detain an individual 
     only if the individual to be detained is within, or in direct 
     flight from, the area of such offense.
       ``(B) Enforcement of certain laws.--A person granted 
     authority to detain under this section may exercise such 
     authority only to enforce laws regarding any building and 
     grounds and all property located in or on that building and 
     grounds that are owned, occupied, or secured by the General 
     Services Administration Public Buildings Service.

[[Page H2942]]

       ``(3) Guidance.--The Secretary, with the approval of the 
     Attorney General, shall issue guidelines to implement this 
     section.''.
       (b) Section 1315(b) of title 40, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (D);
       (2) by striking ``; and'' at the end of subparagraph (E) 
     and inserting a period; and
       (3) by striking subparagraph (F).
       (c) Section 1315(b) of title 40, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(3) Minimum training standards.--The Secretary, in 
     consultation with the Director of the Federal Protective 
     Service and in accordance with guidelines issued by the 
     Attorney General, shall establish minimum and uniform 
     training standards for any employee designated as an officer 
     or agent to carry out and exercise authority pursuant to this 
     section. Such minimum standards shall include ongoing 
     training certified by the Director of the Federal Protective 
     Service.
       ``(4) Notification of designations and delegations.--The 
     Secretary shall submit written notification of any approved 
     designations or delegations of any authority provided under 
     this section, including the purposes and scope of such 
     designations or delegations, not within the Federal 
     Protective Service, to the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, 
     including the purpose for such designations or delegations, 
     oversight protocols established to ensure compliance with any 
     requirements, including compliance with training 
     requirements, and other specifics regarding such designations 
     and delegations.''.

     SEC. 5. EVALUATION OF FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE PERSONNEL 
                   NEEDS.

       (a) Personnel and Funding Needs of Federal Protective 
     Service.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act and after review by a qualified 
     consultant pursuant to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall 
     submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees 
     on the personnel needs of the Federal Protective Service that 
     includes recommendations on the numbers of Federal Protective 
     Service law enforcement officers and the workforce 
     composition of the Federal Protective Service needed to carry 
     out the mission of such Service during the 10-fiscal-year 
     period beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (2) Review and comment.--The Secretary shall provide the 
     report prepared under this section to a qualified consultant 
     for review and comment before submitting the report to the 
     appropriate congressional committees. The Secretary shall 
     provide the comments of the qualified consultant to the 
     appropriate congressional committee with the report.
       (3) Contents.--The report under this section shall include 
     an evaluation of--
       (A) the option of posting a full-time equivalent Federal 
     Protective Service law enforcement officer at each level 3 or 
     4 Federal facility, as determined by the Interagency Security 
     Committee, that on the date of enactment of this Act has a 
     protective security officer stationed at the facility;
       (B) the potential increase in security of any option 
     evaluated under subparagraph (A);
       (C) the immediate and projected costs of any option 
     evaluated under such subparagraph; and
       (D) the immediate and projected costs of maintaining the 
     current level of protective security officers and full-time 
     Federal Protective Service law enforcement officers.
       (b) Report on Funding.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
     the appropriate congressional committees a report on the best 
     method of funding for the Federal Protective Service, which 
     shall include recommendations regarding whether the Federal 
     Protective Service should--
       (1) continue to be funded by a collection of fees and 
     security charges;
       (2) be funded by appropriations; or
       (3) be funded by a combination of fees, security charges, 
     and appropriations.

     SEC. 6. ZERO-BASED SPACE JUSTIFICATION.

       Section 3307(b) of title 40, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (5), by inserting before the semicolon the 
     following: ``including a cost comparison between leasing 
     space or constructing space'';
       (2) in paragraph (6) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (3) in paragraph (7) by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) with respect to any prospectus, including for 
     replacement space, lease renewal, or lease extension, the 
     Administrator shall include a justification for such space, 
     including an explanation of why such space could not be 
     consolidated or colocated into other owned or leased 
     space.''.

     SEC. 7. ELIMINATING PROJECT ESCALATIONS.

       Section 3307(c) of title 40, United States Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following: ``The Administrator shall 
     notify, in writing, the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate of 
     any increase of more than 5 percent of an estimated maximum 
     cost or of any increase or decrease in the scope or size of a 
     project of 5 or more percent. Such notification shall include 
     an explanation regarding any such increase or decrease. The 
     scope or size of a project shall not increase or decrease by 
     more than 10 percent unless an amended prospectus is 
     submitted and approved pursuant to this section.''.

     SEC. 8. LIMITATION ON AUTHORIZATIONS.

       Section 3307 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(i) Expiration of Committee Resolutions.--Unless a lease 
     is executed or a construction, alteration, repair, design, or 
     acquisition project is initiated not later than 5 years after 
     the resolution approvals adopted by the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives or the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works of the Senate pursuant to subsection (a), such 
     resolutions shall be deemed expired. This subsection shall 
     only apply to resolutions approved after the date of 
     enactment of this subsection.''.

     SEC. 9. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HEADQUARTERS REPLACEMENT.

       (a) Sale of Certain Property.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator of General Services 
     is directed to sell, exchange, or some combination thereof, a 
     portion of the Forrestal Complex necessary to generate the 
     funds necessary to construct a new Department of Energy 
     headquarters on Government-owned land in a manner consistent 
     with the SW Ecodistrict Plan if the Administrator determines 
     that the new Department of Energy headquarters can be 
     constructed with no net costs to the Government.
       (2) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the 
     following definitions apply:
       (A) Department of energy forrestal complex.--The term 
     ``Forrestal Complex'' means the land, including the buildings 
     and other improvements thereon, that--
       (i) subject to survey and as determined by the 
     Administrator, is--

       (I) located in the District of Columbia;
       (II) generally bounded by Independence Avenue, Southwest, 
     12th Street, Southwest, Maryland Avenue, Southwest, and 9th 
     Street, Southwest; and
       (III) generally consisting of Squares 351-N, 351, 383, 384, 
     and 385 and portions of Squares 325 and 352; and

       (ii) is under the jurisdiction and control of the General 
     Services Administration.
       (B) SW ecodistrict plan.--The term ``SW Ecodistrict Plan'' 
     means the plan of the National Capital Planning Commission 
     titled ``The SW Ecodistrict: A Vision Plan For A More 
     Sustainable Future'' and dated January 2013.
       (b) Replacement of Headquarters.--Not later than 2 years 
     after the disposal of the necessary portions of the Forrestal 
     Complex, the Administrator shall replace the Department of 
     Energy headquarters located on the Forrestal Complex in a 
     Government-owned building on Government-owned land.
       (c) Certain Prohibitions.--The Administrator shall not 
     lease a new Department of Energy headquarters or engage in a 
     leaseback of the current headquarters.
       (d) Sale.--If the Administrator is unable to meet the 
     conditions of subsection (a), the Administrator shall sell 
     any underutilized or vacant property on the Forrestal Complex 
     for cash.
       (e) Net Proceeds.--Any net proceeds received, exceeding the 
     expenses of implementing subsection (b) or (d), 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 only be expended 
     subject to a specific future appropriation.

     SEC. 10. LIMITATION ON DISCOUNTED PURCHASE OPTIONS.

       Section 585 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Any bargain-price option to purchase at less than 
     fair market value contained in any lease agreement entered 
     into on or after January 1, 2016, pursuant to this section 
     may be exercised only to the extent specifically provided for 
     in subsequent appropriation Acts or other Acts of 
     Congress.''.

     SEC. 11. ENERGY SAVINGS.

       To the extent practicable and when cost effective, the 
     Administrator of General Services shall consider the direct 
     purchase of energy and other utilities in bulk or otherwise 
     for leased facilities.

     SEC. 12. SIMPLIFIED REFORMS.

       (a) In General.--For the purpose of section 863 of Public 
     Law 110-417, an individual acquisition for commercial leasing 
     services shall not be construed as a purchase of property or 
     services if such individual acquisition is made on a no cost 
     basis and pursuant to a multiple award contract awarded in 
     accordance with requirements for full and open competition.
       (b) Audit.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall--
       (1) conduct biennial audits of the General Services 
     Administration National Broker Contract to determine--
       (A) whether brokers selected under the program provide 
     lower lease rental rates than rates negotiated by General 
     Services Administration staff; and
       (B) the impact of the program on the length of time of 
     lease procurements;
       (2) conduct a review of whether the application of section 
     863 of Public Law 110-417 to acquisitions for commercial 
     leasing services

[[Page H2943]]

     resulted in rental cost savings for the Government during the 
     years in which such section was applicable prior to the date 
     of enactment of this section; and
       (3) not later than September 30, 2018, and September 30, 
     2020, submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a 
     report that--
       (A) summarizes the results of the audit and review required 
     by paragraphs (1) and (2);
       (B) includes an assessment of whether the National Broker 
     Contract provides greater efficiencies and savings than the 
     use of General Services Administration staff; and
       (C) includes recommendations for improving General Services 
     Administration lease procurements.
       (c) Termination.--This section shall terminate on December 
     31, 2021.

     SEC. 13. NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION RENTAL RATES.

       Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Administrator of General Services shall submit a 
     report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works of the Senate justifying the use 
     of 3 lease rental caps per fiscal year and their impacts in 
     the National Capital Region. The Administrator shall also 
     evaluate and make recommendations related to whether the 
     current rental caps adequately provide for maximum 
     competition for build-to-suit leased space.

     SEC. 14. REDUCTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS ON CERTAIN 
                   PROGRAMS.

       Section 601(d)(2) of the Public Works and Economic 
     Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3211), is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``(2) Release.--'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(2) Release.--
       ``(A) In general.--''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Revolving loan fund program.--The Secretary may 
     release, subject to terms and conditions the Secretary 
     determines appropriate, the Federal Government's interest in 
     connection with a grant under section 209(d) not less than 7 
     years after final disbursement of the grant, if--
       ``(i) the recipient has carried out the terms of the award 
     in a satisfactory manner;
       ``(ii) any proceeds realized from the release of the 
     Federal Government's interest will be used for one or more 
     activities that continue to carry out the economic 
     development purposes of this Act; and
       ``(iii) the recipient shall provide adequate assurance to 
     the Secretary that at all times after release of the Federal 
     Government's interest in connection with the grant, the 
     recipient will be responsible for continued compliance with 
     the requirements of section 602 in the same manner it was 
     responsible prior to release of the Federal Government's 
     interest and that the recipient's failure to comply shall 
     result in the Secretary taking appropriate action, including, 
     but not limited to, rescission of the release and recovery of 
     the Federal share of the grant.''.

     SEC. 15. LACTATION ROOM IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

       (a) Lactation Room in Public Buildings.--Chapter 33 of 
     title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new section:

     ``Sec. 3317. Lactation room in public buildings

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section the following 
     definitions apply:
       ``(1) Appropriate authority.--The term `appropriate 
     authority' means the head of a Federal agency, the Architect 
     of the Capitol, or other official authority responsible for 
     the operation of a public building.
       ``(2) Covered public building.--The term `covered public 
     building' means a public building (as defined in section 
     3301) that is open to the public and contains a public 
     restroom, and includes a building listed in section 6301 or 
     5101.
       ``(3) Lactation room.--The term `lactation room' means a 
     hygienic place, other than a bathroom, that--
       ``(A) is shielded from view;
       ``(B) is free from intrusion; and
       ``(C) contains a chair, a working surface, and, if the 
     public building is otherwise supplied with electricity, an 
     electrical outlet.
       ``(b) Lactation Room Required.--Except as provided in 
     subsection (c), the appropriate authority of a covered public 
     building shall ensure that the building contains a lactation 
     room that is made available for use by members of the public 
     to express breast milk.
       ``(c) Exceptions.--A covered public building may be 
     excluded from the requirement in subsection (b) at the 
     discretion of the appropriate authority if--
       ``(1) the public building--
       ``(A) does not contain a lactation room for employees who 
     work in the building; and
       ``(B) does not have a room that could be repurposed as a 
     lactation room or a space that could be made private using 
     portable materials, at a reasonable cost; or
       ``(2) new construction would be required to create a 
     lactation room in the public building and the cost of such 
     construction is unfeasible.
       ``(d) No Unauthorized Entry.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be construed to authorize an individual to enter a public 
     building or portion thereof that the individual is not 
     otherwise authorized to enter.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 33 of title 40, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting after the item related to section 3316 
     the following new item:

``3317. Lactation room in public buildings.''.

       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 16. USE OF RECLAIMED REFRIGERANTS.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Administrator of General Services shall issue a 
     report examining the feasibility of giving preference to the 
     use of reclaimed refrigerants to service existing equipment 
     of Federal buildings.

     SEC. 17. SALES AND SAVINGS.

       (a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``property'' 
     means the following:
       (1) 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, including all associated air rights, improvements 
     thereon, and appurtenances thereto.
       (2) The 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, 
     including the building known as the Cotton Annex.
       (b) Sale.--Not later than December 31, 2018, the 
     Administrator shall sell the property at fair market value at 
     highest and best use.
       (c) Net Proceeds.--Any net proceeds of a sale under 
     subsection (b) 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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Barletta) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Carson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 4487, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BARLETTA. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4487, as amended, includes reforms that will reduce 
the cost of Federal real estate and improve Federal building security. 
I am pleased to be the sponsor of this important legislation. I want to 
thank Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio of the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and our subcommittee Ranking Member 
Carson for working with me on crafting this important legislation.
  The Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and 
Emergency Management held a series of hearings, roundtables, and 
listening sessions to examine the General Services Administration's 
lease portfolio. What we found was, within 5 years, half of all GSA 
leases will expire.
  To give some perspective on how much space that represents, that is 
100 million square feet of space or 32 new World Trade Centers in New 
York. More than half of GSA's total real estate inventory is in 
commercial leased space, costing the taxpayer more than $5.5 billion 
each year.
  How we replace these leases has a huge impact on the costs to the 
taxpayer. For larger leases and projects requiring committee 
authorization, we have already taken steps to reduce the cost of 
Federal real estate to the taxpayer.
  Since last Congress, the committee has worked with GSA to reduce the 
Federal footprint through consolidating space and improving space 
utilization. Through those efforts, we have saved the taxpayer more 
than $3 billion in avoided lease costs. Those are real savings.
  When we reduce the amount of office space agencies are leasing, it 
directly reduces the cost to the taxpayer. With the large number of 
leases expiring in the near future, we now have a ripe opportunity to 
save even more by negotiating better rental rates and concessions.
  To take advantage of this opportunity, the Public Buildings Reform 
and Savings Act establishes a leasing pilot program. This pilot program 
will

[[Page H2944]]

allow GSA to streamline the leasing process to work through expiring 
leases more quickly and lock in good deals for the long term. The 
legislation gives GSA flexible pilot authority to address roadblocks to 
reducing costs so that space acquisition can be based on the best deal 
and not on arbitrary factors like unusually high ceiling heights that 
reduce competition.
  The legislation could result in a 20 percent reduction in lease costs 
and save taxpayers more than $500 million annually, without even 
accounting for savings through reduction in space. The legislation also 
includes language that will give GSA a better ability, where 
appropriate, to use public-private partnerships to meet space needs, 
leveraging private dollars to offset costs.
  In addition to these reforms, H.R. 4487, as amended, includes 
provisions that will improve building security by clarifying 
requirements related to the training and accountability of the Federal 
Protective Service. H.R. 4487, as amended, also includes other 
provisions that will improve Congress' oversight of public building 
projects to ensure building projects make sense and stay within budget 
and on time.
  I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this important 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                                   Committee on Homeland Security,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 23, 2016.
     Hon. Bill Shuster,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Shuster: I am writing to you concerning the 
     jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Homeland Security 
     in H.R. 4487, the ``Public Buildings Reform and Savings Act 
     of 2016.'' The bill contains provisions that fall within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security.
       I recognize and appreciate the desire to bring this 
     legislation before the House of Representatives in an 
     expeditious manner, and accordingly, the Committee on 
     Homeland Security will forego action on this bill. The 
     Committee takes this action with the mutual understanding 
     that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 4487 at this time, we 
     do not waive any jurisdiction over subject matter contained 
     in this or similar legislation, and that our Committee will 
     be appropriately consulted and involved as this bill or 
     similar legislation moves forward so that we may address any 
     remaining issues in our jurisdiction.
       The waiver is also given with the understanding that the 
     Committee on Homeland Security expressly reserves its 
     authority to seek conferees on any provision within its 
     jurisdiction during any House-Senate conference that may be 
     convened on this or any similar legislation, and requests 
     your support for such a request
       I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 4487, and ask that a 
     copy of this letter and your response be included in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of this bill on the 
     House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of 
           Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, May 23, 2016.
     Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 4487, the Public Buildings Reform and Savings Act of 
     2016. I appreciate your willingness to support expediting the 
     consideration of this legislation on the House Floor.
       I acknowledge that by waiving consideration of this bill, 
     the Committee on Homeland Security does not waive any future 
     valid jurisdictional claim it may have to provisions in this 
     or similar legislation. In addition, should a conference on 
     the bill be necessary, I would cooperate as you seek 
     appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any 
     House-Senate conference involving provisions within this 
     legislation on which the Committee on Homeland Security has 
     demonstrated a valid jurisdictional claim.
       I will include our letters on H.R. 4487 in the 
     Congressional Record during House floor consideration of the 
     bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this 
     legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Bill Shuster,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

  Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Barletta, 
Chairman Shuster, and Ranking Member DeFazio.
  I rise in support of H.R. 4487, the Public Buildings Reform and 
Savings Act of 2016.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill begins the process of reforming GSA, Public 
Buildings Service, and the Federal Protective Service. I would like to 
thank my colleagues, again, for being a partner in developing this very 
important piece of legislation directing GSA to improve the management 
of Federal real estate. The GAO has consistently listed the management 
of Federal real property an area of high risk.
  The provisions contained in today's legislation will address many of 
the concerns that GAO has documented. Specifically, the bill will 
direct GSA to reform the leasing process and tighten oversight of the 
construction program.

                              {time}  2000

  The centerpiece of this legislation is a 5-year pilot program 
designed to streamline the GSA leasing procurement process. Mr. 
Speaker, by raising the threshold for simplified lease acquisitions, I 
believe GSA will be able to reduce their workload on smaller leases and 
focus their staff on the execution of larger leases that can provide 
even more savings to taxpayers.
  While owning is often the most cost-effective option for housing 
Federal agencies, there will also be a need for the Federal Government 
to lease space. The pilot program, and the GAO reports authorized by 
this bill, is expected to provide the Committee on Transportation with 
definitive data about the most efficient way to lease Federal office 
space. The interim reports on the pilot program and the effectiveness 
of GSA's use of commercial brokers will be instructive as to which new 
authorities Congress should let expire in 5 years and which we should 
keep.
  I am also pleased that today's bill includes several reforms authored 
in H.R. 1850, the Federal Protective Service Improvement Act of 2015. 
Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of the 1995 Murrah Building bombing in 
Oklahoma City, the Department of Justice, or DOJ, assessed the 
vulnerability of Federal buildings in the United States, particularly 
related to acts of terrorism and other forms of violence.
  The Department of Justice made several recommendations, including 
upgrading the Federal Protective Service and bringing each Federal 
facility up to higher minimum standards for its security levels.
  The reforms in today's legislation include creating a national 
framework for the 13,000 contract guards who protect Federal buildings, 
employees, and visitors each and every day. It mandates a minimum level 
of training for Protective Service Officers, or PSOs, while at the same 
time providing authority for PSOs to carry firearms and detain suspects 
accused of a felony on Federal property. As a former police officer, I 
can't overstate the importance of a strong training standard for 
security personnel at every Federal facility across our great Nation.
  The bill also requires the Secretary of the Department of Homeland 
Security to study whether it has a sufficient number of law enforcement 
officers and inspectors necessary to regularly conduct security 
assessments of Federal facilities. Another provision requires a study 
of whether FPS' fee structure is sufficient to fund the strong law 
enforcement presence needed today. Mr. Speaker, I expect that when 
these reports are completed, they will help guide the Committee's 
efforts to address FPS' long-term funding and staffing issues.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe it is critically important that we do 
everything possible to protect the millions of Federal workers and 
daily visitors to Federal buildings. With increased oversight and 
additional legislative authority, I believe the FPS can fulfill its 
mission.
  I hope, in closing, that we can continue to work in a bipartisan 
manner on these matters. I thank the chair and ranking member of the 
full committee, who both cosponsored and supported this important piece 
of legislation. Together, we can put forth commonsense reforms that 
allow both GSA and FPS to be good stewards of our Nation's public 
buildings.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District 
of Columbia (Ms. Norton), who is an American icon and legend.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend for his overly 
generous introduction, and I thank my friend from Pennsylvania and my 
friend from Indiana for this bill.

[[Page H2945]]

  This bill, which I strongly support, the Public Buildings Reform and 
Savings Act of 2016, may seem quite technical to those who have heard 
it described, but I do want to congratulate my friends, the chairman 
and the ranking member, for a bill that will have great substantive 
impact on the way that GSA does its business. I particularly appreciate 
the bipartisan way in which both of them have always performed. I also 
thank them both for accepting my amendments: one, in keeping with both 
this bill and the prior bill, for a new, federal footprint here, and a 
smaller Department of Energy; and then an amendment that is not related 
to any of this, for lactation space for visitors to Federal buildings.
  I appreciate the acceptance of an amendment that allows the GSA to 
sell or exchange the Department of Energy Forrestal Complex that is 
right in the heart of The Mall area, at 1000 Independence Avenue, in 
accordance with the so-called Southwest Ecodistrict Plan, which means 
that all the appropriate planning has been done, given where this 
location is and how important it is to official Washington.
  My amendment has two purposes. Because the DOE building is larger 
than necessary and results in wasteful spending, we now require a 
smaller footprint. It allows the Cotton Annex, close to the Department 
of Energy on The Mall, to be sold, and gives the GSA what a developer 
needs--that is what GSA is, a developer--the flexibility to develop 
this priceless land and assures that development will occur soon--GSA 
has to come back by June, and we are almost there--with a process for 
disposing of the Cotton Annex.
  I want to thank both gentlemen for agreeing to my amendment that I 
call the ``motherhood'' bill. GSA already requires that employees be 
given lactation space, but we discovered that some employees at the 
Smithsonian were not getting it. When I called the Smithsonian, they 
immediately provided the regional space. It is not new space, only 
existing space for a mother to pump or to nurse a baby, if she is a 
Federal employee. I simply added visitors and guests to Federal 
facilities as those that can use this space.
  The Nation's capital is a tourist mecca, so there will be some 
nursing mothers.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman an 
additional 3 minutes.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, the benefits of breastfeeding are well 
documented. Children's immune systems build up. Studies have shown that 
even risks of asthma, diabetes, and the like are reduced in breastfed 
babies. There are benefits also to nursing mothers as well. The risk of 
diabetes and cancer are reduced.
  This bill isn't very much related to the important substance of the 
underlying bill, but the relationship is clear enough. I very much 
thank my two good friends for accepting these two amendments to the 
underlying bill. I strongly support the underlying bill this evening.
  Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Zinke). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Barletta) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4487, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________