SUBCHAPTER II—GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES
§1811. Powers and duties
The Architect of the Capitol shall perform all the duties relative to the Capitol Building performed prior to August 15, 1876, by the Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds: Provided, That no change in the architectural features of the Capitol Building or in the landscape features of the Capitol Grounds shall be made except on plans to be approved by Congress.
(Aug. 15, 1876, ch. 287,
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was classified to section 162 of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by
Section is a composite of the acts of Aug. 15, 1876, and Feb. 14, 1902, cited in the credits.
Amendments
2023—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Change of name of Architect of the Capitol, functions abolished, transferred, etc., by prior acts, see Prior Provisions and Change of Name notes set out under former
Effective Date of 2023 Amendment
Amendment by
Transfer to Architect of the Capitol
"(a)
"(b)
Acquisition of Property by Architect of the Capitol
§1812. Care and superintendence of Capitol
The Architect of the Capitol shall on and after March 3, 1977, have the care and superintendence of the Capitol, including lighting. His office shall be in the Capitol Building.
(Aug. 15, 1876, ch. 287,
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was classified to section 163 of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by
The first sentence of this section is from act Mar. 3, 1877. The second sentence of this section is from act Aug. 15, 1876, popularly known as the "Sundry Civil Appropriation Act".
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those comprising the first sentence of this section were contained in act Aug. 15, 1876, ch. 287,
Amendments
1951—Act Oct. 31, 1951, struck out ", and shall submit through the Secretary of the Interior estimates thereof" at end of first sentence.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Change of name of Architect of the Capitol, functions abolished, transferred, etc., by prior acts, see Prior Provisions and Change of Name notes set out under former
§1813. Exterior of Capitol
On and after July 7, 1884, it shall be the duty of the Architect to clean and keep in proper order the exterior of the Capitol.
(July 7, 1884, ch. 332,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Architect, referred to in text, means the Architect of the Capitol.
Codification
Section was classified to section 163a of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by
Section is from the Sundry Civil Appropriation Act July 7, 1884, fiscal year 1885.
§1814. Repairs of Capitol
All improvements, alterations, additions, and repairs of the Capitol Building shall be made by the direction and under the supervision of the Architect of the Capitol.
(R.S. §1816; Feb. 14, 1902, ch. 17,
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was classified to section 166 of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by
R.S. §1816 derived from Res. Apr. 16, 1862, No. 28,
Provision of R.S. §1816 relating to purchase of furniture or carpets for House or Senate is classified to
Amendments
1951—Act Oct. 31, 1951, struck out requirement that such improvements, etc., should be paid for by Secretary of the Interior out of appropriations for Capitol extension, and from no other appropriation.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Change of name of Architect of the Capitol, functions abolished, transferred, etc., by prior acts, see Prior Provisions and Change of Name notes set out under former
Conditions for Use of Certain Telecommunications Systems and Services by Agency of Legislative Branch
"(a) Hereafter, notwithstanding any other provision of law, any agency of the legislative branch is authorized to use telecommunications systems and services provided by the Architect of the Capitol or the House of Representatives or the Senate under the approved plan required by section 305 of
"(1) have been acquired competitively; and
"(2) in the case of long distance service, have been determined by the Architect of the Capitol to be at least equal in quality to, and not greater in cost than, the systems and services available under the procurement conducted by the Administrator of General Services known as 'FTS2000'.
"(b) As used in this section, the term 'agency of the legislative branch' means the office of the Architect of the Capitol, the Botanic Garden, the Government Accountability Office, the Government Publishing Office, the Library of Congress, the Office of Technology Assessment, and the Congressional Budget Office."
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriations acts:
Development of Overall Plan for Satisfying Telecommunications Requirements of Agencies of Legislative Branch
"(a) The Architect of the Capitol, in consultation with the heads of the agencies of the legislative branch, shall develop an overall plan for satisfying the telecommunications requirements of such agencies, using a common system architecture for maximum interconnection capability and engineering compatibility. The plan shall be subject to joint approval by the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, and, upon approval, shall be communicated to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. No part of any appropriation in this Act or any other Act shall be used for acquisition of any new or expanded telecommunications system for an agency of the legislative branch, unless, as determined by the Architect of the Capitol, the acquisition is in conformance with the plan, as approved.
"(b) As used in this section—
"(1) the term 'agency of the legislative branch' means the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, the Botanic Garden, the Government Accountability Office, the Government Publishing Office, the Library of Congress, the Office of Technology Assessment, and the Congressional Budget Office; and
"(2) the term 'telecommunications system' means an electronic system for voice, data, or image communication, including any associated cable and switching equipment.
"(c) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1992."
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriations acts:
§1815. Repealed. Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §101(c), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 606
Section,
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was classified to section 166i of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by
§1816. Construction contracts
(a) Liquidated damages
The Architect of the Capitol may not enter into or administer any construction contract with a value greater than $50,000 unless the contract includes a provision requiring the payment of liquidated damages in the amount determined under subsection (b) in the event that completion of the project is delayed because of the contractor.
(b) Amount of payment
The amount of payment required under a liquidated damages provision described in subsection (a) shall be equal to the product of—
(1) the daily liquidated damage payment rate; and
(2) the number of days by which the completion of the project is delayed.
(c) Daily liquidated damage payment rate
(1) In general
In subsection (b), the "daily liquidated damage payment rate" means—
(A) $140, in the case of a contract with a value greater than $50,000 and less than $100,000;
(B) $200, in the case of a contract with a value equal to or greater than $100,000 and equal to or less than $500,000; and
(C) the sum of $200 plus $50 for each $100,000 increment by which the value of the contract exceeds $500,000, in the case of a contract with a value greater than $500,000.
(2) Adjustment in rate permitted
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the daily liquidated damage payment rate may be adjusted by the contracting officer involved to a rate greater or lesser than the rate described in such paragraph if the contracting officer makes a written determination that the rate described does not accurately reflect the anticipated damages which will be suffered by the United States as a result of the delay in the completion of the contract.
(d) Effective date
This section shall apply with respect to contracts entered into during fiscal year 2002 or any succeeding fiscal year.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was classified to section 166j of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by
§1816a. Design-build contracts
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Architect of the Capitol may use the two-phase selection procedures authorized in
(b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2008 and each succeeding fiscal year.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
In subsec. (a), "
Section is from the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008, which is div. H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008.
§1816b. Architect of the Capitol, authority for personal services contracts with legal entities
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Architect of the Capitol is authorized to contract for personal services with any firm, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity in the same manner as he is authorized to contract for personal services with individuals under the provisions of
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
In text, "
Section was classified to section 6a–2 of former Title 41, prior to the enactment of Title 41, Public Contracts, by
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Authorizing Payments Under Service Contracts During the Coronavirus Emergency
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
[For definition of "coronavirus" as used in section 19005 of
§1817. Transfer of discontinued apparatus to other branches
The Architect of the Capitol may transfer apparatus, appliances, equipments, and supplies of any kind, discontinued or permanently out of service, to other branches of the service of the United States, or District of Columbia, whenever, in his judgment the interests of the Government service may require it.
(June 26, 1912, ch. 182, §11,
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was classified to section 171 of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by
Section is based on section 11 of act June 26, 1912, popularly known as the "District of Columbia Appropriation Act June 26, 1912, fiscal year 1913".
Prior Provisions
Act Mar. 2, 1911, ch. 192, §9,
Amendments
1951—Act Oct. 31, 1951, struck out "with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior," after "whenever,".
1928—Act May 29, 1928, struck out provision that required a transfer statement to be submitted in the annual report to Congress by the Superintendent of the Capitol Building and Grounds.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Change of name of Architect of the Capitol, functions abolished, transferred, etc., by prior acts, see Prior Provisions and Change of Name notes set out under former
§1817a. Disposition of surplus or obsolete personal property
(a) In general
The Architect of the Capitol shall have the authority, within the limits of available appropriations, to dispose of surplus or obsolete personal property by inter-agency transfer, donation, sale, trade-in, or discarding. Amounts received for the sale or trade-in of personal property shall be credited to funds available for the operations of the Architect of the Capitol and be available for the costs of acquiring the same or similar property. Such funds shall be available for such purposes during the fiscal year received and the following fiscal year.
(b) Effective date
This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2010, and each fiscal year thereafter.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section is from the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2010, which is div. A of
§1818. Rental or lease of storage space
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Architect of the Capitol, with the approval of the House Office Building Commission and Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, is authorized to secure, through rental, lease, or other appropriate agreement, storage space in areas within the District of Columbia and its environs beyond the boundaries of the United States Capitol Grounds for use of the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, under such terms and conditions as such Commission and committee may authorize, and to incur any necessary incidental expenses in connection therewith.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was classified to section 166d of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by
§1819. Computer backup facilities for legislative offices
(a) Acquisition of buildings and facilities
The Architect of the Capitol is authorized, subject to the availability of appropriations, to acquire (through purchase, lease, or otherwise) buildings and facilities for use as computer backup facilities (and related uses) for offices in the legislative branch.
(b) Acquisition subject to approval
The acquisition of a building or facility under subsection (a) shall be subject to the approval of—
(1) the House Office Building Commission, in the case of a building or facility acquired for the use of an office of the House of Representatives;
(2) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, in the case of a building or facility acquired for the use of an office of the Senate; or
(3) the House Office Building Commission in the case of a building or facility acquired for the use of any other office in the legislative branch as part of a joint facility with (1) above, or the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, in the case of a building or facility acquired for the use of any other office in the legislative branch as part of a joint facility with (2) above.
(c) United States Capitol grounds provisions applicable
Any building or facility acquired by the Architect of the Capitol pursuant to subsection (a) shall be a part of the United States Capitol Grounds and shall be subject to the provisions of
(d) Lease of buildings and facilities
In the case of a building or facility acquired through purchase pursuant to subsection (a), the Architect of the Capitol may enter into or assume a lease with another person for the use of any portion of the building or facility that the Architect of the Capitol determines is not required to be used to carry out the purposes of this section, subject to the approval of the entity which approved the acquisition of such building or facility under subsection (b).
(e) Effective date
This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2002 and each succeeding fiscal year.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Codification
Section was classified to section 166k of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by
Amendments
2005—Subsecs. (d), (e).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
§1820. Acquisition of real property for Capitol Police
(a) Authority for acquisition
Subject to the approval of the House Office Building Commission and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, the Architect of the Capitol is authorized to acquire (through purchase, lease, transfer from another Federal entity, or otherwise) real property, subject to the availability of appropriations and upon approval of an obligation plan by the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate, for the use of the United States Capitol Police.
(b) United States Capitol grounds provisions applicable
Any real property acquired by the Architect of the Capitol pursuant to subsection (a) shall be a part of the United States Capitol Grounds and shall be subject to the provisions of
(c) Effective date
This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2002 and each succeeding fiscal year.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Codification
Section was classified to section 166m of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Acquisition of Property by Architect of the Capitol
"(a) Notwithstanding section 907(a) of
"(b) Any real property acquired by the Architect of the Capitol pursuant to subsection (a) shall be subject to the provisions of the Act entitled 'An Act to define the area of the United States Capitol Grounds, to regulate the use thereof, and for other purposes', approved July 31, 1946 [
§1821. Small purchase contracting authority
(a) In general
To promote efficiency and economy in contracting and to avoid unnecessary burdens, the Architect of the Capitol is granted authority to utilize special simplified procedures for purchases of property and services the aggregate amount of which does not exceed $250,000. Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
(1)
(2) the Architect may procure services, equipment, and construction for security related projects in the most efficient manner he determines appropriate.
(b) Effective date
This section shall apply to fiscal year 2003 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
In subsec. (a)(1), "
Section is from the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2003, which is div. H of
Prior Provisions
Prior similar provisions were contained in
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (a).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
§1822. Leasing of space
(a) In general
Funds appropriated to the Architect of the Capitol shall be available—
(1) for the leasing of space in areas within the District of Columbia and its environs beyond the boundaries of the United States Capitol Grounds to meet space requirements of the United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, United States Capitol Police, and the Architect of the Capitol under such terms and conditions as the Committee or Commission referred to under subsection (b) may authorize; and
(2) to incur any necessary expense in connection with any leasing of space under paragraph (1).
(b) Conditions to lease space
The Architect of the Capitol may lease space under subsection (a) upon submission of written notice of intent to lease such space to, and approved by—
(1) the Committees on Appropriations and Rules and Administration of the Senate for space to be leased for the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the House Office Building Commission for space to be leased for the House of Representatives; and
(3) the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives, for space to be leased for any other entity under subsection (a).
(c) Effective date
This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2004, and each fiscal year thereafter.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section is from the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2004.
Amendments
2007—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
§1823. Acquisition of real property for Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate
(1) The Architect of the Capitol may acquire (through purchase, lease, transfer from another Federal entity, or otherwise) real property, for the use of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to support the operations of the Senate—
(A) subject to the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate; and
(B) subject to the availability of appropriations and upon approval of an obligation plan by the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(2) Subject to the approval of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Secretary of the Senate may transfer funds for the acquisition or maintenance of any property under paragraph (1) from the account under the heading "Senate, Contingent Expenses of the Senate, Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate" to the account under the heading "Architect of the Capitol, Senate Office Buildings".
(3) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section is from the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007.
§1823a. Acquisition of real property for Library of Congress
(a) Permitting leasing of space
Subject to the availability of funds, the Architect of the Capitol may acquire real property by lease for the use of the Library of Congress in any State or the District of Columbia if—
(1) the Architect of the Capitol and the Librarian of Congress submit a joint request for the Architect to lease the property to the Joint Committee on the Library and to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate; and
(2) the Joint Committee on the Library and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate each approve the request.
(b) Transfer of funds
Subject to the approval of the Joint Committee on the Library and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Architect of the Capitol and the Librarian of Congress may transfer between themselves appropriations or other available funds to pay the costs incurred in acquiring real property pursuant to the authority of this section and the costs of necessary expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition of the property.
(c) Limit on obligations
No obligation entered into pursuant to the authority of this section shall be in advance of, or in excess of, available appropriations.
(d) Effective date
This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2009 and each succeeding fiscal year.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section is from the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2009, which is div. G of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009.
§1824. Energy and environmental measures in Capitol Complex Master Plan
(a) In general
To the maximum extent practicable, the Architect of the Capitol shall include energy efficiency and conservation measures, greenhouse gas emission reduction measures, and other appropriate environmental measures in the Capitol Complex Master Plan.
(b) Report
Not later than 6 months after December 19, 2007, the Architect of the Capitol shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, a report on the energy efficiency and conservation measures, greenhouse gas emission reduction measures, and other appropriate environmental measures included in the Capitol Complex Master Plan pursuant to subsection (a).
(
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
§1824a. Recyclable materials
(a) Collection and sale of recyclable materials
(1) Establishment of program
The Architect of the Capitol shall establish a program for the collection and sale of recyclable materials collected from or on the Capitol buildings and grounds, in accordance with the procedures applicable under subchapter III of
(2) Exclusion of materials subject to other programs
The program established under this section shall not apply with respect to any materials which are subject to collection and sale under—
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D) any other authorized program for the collection and sale of recyclable materials.
(b) Revolving fund
(1) In general
There is established in the Treasury a revolving fund for the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, which shall consist of—
(A) proceeds from the sale of recyclable materials under the program established under this section; and
(B) such amounts as may be appropriated under law.
(2) Use of fund
Amounts in the revolving fund established under paragraph (1) shall be available without fiscal year limitation to the Architect of the Capitol, subject to the Architect providing prior notice to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate—
(A) to carry out the program established under this section;
(B) to carry out authorized programs and activities of the Architect to improve the environment; and
(C) to carry out authorized programs and activities of the Architect to promote energy savings.
(c) Effective date
This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2009 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified as a note under
Amendments
2014—Subsec. (c).
§1825. Repealed. Pub. L. 110–437, title V, §501(b)(2), Oct. 20, 2008, 122 Stat. 4997
Section,
§1826. Easements for rights-of-way
(a) In general
The Architect of the Capitol may grant, upon such terms as the Architect of the Capitol considers advisable, including monetary consideration, easements for rights-of-way over, in, and upon the Capitol Grounds and any other public lands under the jurisdiction and control of the Architect of the Capitol.
(b) Limitation
No easement granted under this section may include more land than is necessary for the easement.
(c) Easement account
There is established in the Treasury an easement account for the Architect of the Capitol. The Architect of the Capitol shall deposit in the account all proceeds received relating to the granting of easements under this section. The proceeds deposited in that account shall be available to the Architect, in such amounts and for such purposes provided in appropriations acts.
(d) In-kind consideration
Subject to subsection (f), the Architect may accept in-kind consideration instead of, or in addition to, any monetary consideration, for any easement granted under this section.
(e) Termination of easement
The Architect of the Capitol may terminate all or part of any easement granted under this section for—
(1) failure to comply with the terms of the grant;
(2) nonuse for a 2-year period; or
(3) abandonment.
(f) Approval
The Architect of the Capitol may grant an easement for rights-of-way under subsection (a) upon submission of written notice of intent to grant that easement and the amount or type of consideration to be received, and approval by—
(1) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate for easements granted on property under Senate jurisdiction;
(2) the House Office Building Commission for property under House of Representatives jurisdiction; and
(3) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the House Office Building Commission for easements granted on any other property.
(g) Effective date
This section shall apply to fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section is from the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008, which is div. H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008.
§1827. Support and maintenance during emergencies
(a) During an emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property, as determined or declared by the Capitol Police Board, the Architect of the Capitol—
(1) may accept contributions of comfort and other incidental items and services to support employees of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol while such employees are on duty in response to the emergency; and
(2) may incur obligations and make expenditures out of available appropriations for meals, refreshments, and other support and maintenance for the Office of the Architect of the Capitol if, in the judgment of the Architect, such obligations and expenditures are necessary to respond to the emergency.
(b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2010 and each succeeding fiscal year.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section is from the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2010, which is div. A of