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


Public Law 112-170
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 House of Representatives 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
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 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 Chief
Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives; or
(2) any other individual who is authorized to park in any
parking area under the jurisdiction of the House of
Representatives 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 House of
Representatives on Capitol Grounds for use by privately owned
vehicles used by Members of the House of Representatives
(including the Delegates or Resident Commissioner to the
Congress) 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 House Administration of the House of
Representatives; 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 Members and covered employees sufficient to cover
the costs to the Architect of the Capitol to carry out this

[[Page 1304]]

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 House Administration of the
House of Representatives; 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 House Administration of the House of
Representatives.
(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 House Administration of the
House of Representatives determining whether Members
(including any Delegate or Resident Commissioner to
Congress) 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 House
Administration of the House of Representatives 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 1305]]

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

Approved August 16, 2012.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 1402:
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 112-625 (Comm. on House Administration).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 158 (2012):
Aug. 2, considered and passed House and Senate.