[House Report 112-625]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
112th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 112-625
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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
_______
July 26, 2012.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
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Mr. Daniel E. Lungren of California, from the Committee on House
Administration, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1402]
The Committee on House Administration, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 1402) 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,
having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an
amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Amend section 1(e) to read as follows:
(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.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION
H.R. 1402 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to
designate battery recharging stations for privately owned
vehicles in House garages. The users of the recharging stations
will be charged a fee approved by the Committee on House
Administration to ensure there is no net cost for this service
borne by the government.
During the consideration of the bill by the Committee on
House Administration, Chairman Daniel E. Lungren offered an
amendment to adopt language that parallels the Senate's
companion electric car bill, S. 739. Under this amendment, if
the Architect of the Capitol determined that Members and
congressional staff using electric cars were receiving a
subsidy, the Committee on House Administration would receive a
plan from the Architect to recover those costs. If the
Committee on House Administration did not act within 60 days,
then the Architect would take appropriate steps to increase
rates or fees to ensure there is no subsidy to the electric car
drivers.
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
On April 6, 2011, Congressman Dale Kildee introduced H.R.
1402, which was referred to the Committee on House
Administration.
HEARINGS
There were no legislative hearings held on H.R. 1402.
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On July 19, 2012, the Committee on House Administration met
to consider H.R. 1402. The Committee ordered the bill reported
favorably, with an amendment, to the House by voice vote, with
a quorum present.
COMMITTEE RECORD VOTES
In compliance with House Rule XIII, clause 3(b), requiring
the results of each record vote on an amendment or motion to
report, together with the names of those voting for and
against, to be printed in the Committee report, the Committee
states that there were no record votes during the Committee's
consideration of H.R. 1402.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In compliance with House Rule XIII, clause 3(c)(1), the
Committee states that the findings and recommendations of the
Committee, based on oversight activities under House Rule X,
clause 2(b)(1), are incorporated into the general discussion
section of this report.
STATEMENT OF BUDGET AUTHORITY AND RELATED ITEMS
The bill does not provide new budget authority, new
spending authority, new credit authority, or an increase or
decrease in revenues or tax expenditures and a statement under
House Rule XIII, clause 3(c)(2), and section 308(a)(1) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is not required.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
In compliance with House Rule XIII, clause 3(c)(3), the
Committee states, with respect to the bill, H.R. 1402, that the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office did not submit a
cost estimate and comparison under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In compliance with House Rule XIII, clause 3(c)(4), the
Committee states that the general discussion section of this
report includes a statement of the general performance goals
and objectives, including outcome-related goals and objectives,
for which H.R. 1402 authorizes funding.
ADVISORY ON EARMARKS
In accordance with House Rule XXI, clause 9, the Committee
states that H.R. 1402 does not contain any congressional
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as
defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of Rule XXI.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL
In compliance with House Rule XIII, clause 3(e), the
Committee states that H.R. 1402 does not make any changes to
existing law.