[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 126, 112th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 112-167
112th Congress

An Act


 
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. <>

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.

[[Page 1297]]

(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
Capitol 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 1298]]

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

Approved August 10, 2012.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 739:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 158 (2012):
May 24, considered and passed Senate.
Aug. 2, considered and passed House.