Capitol Visitor Center Authorization Act of 1995

Summary: Capitol Visitor Center Authorization Act of 1995 - Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), under the direction of the U.S. Capitol Preservation Commission, to:  (1) plan, construct, equip, administer, and maintain a Capitol Visitor Center under the East Plaza of the Capitol; and (2) reconstruct the environs of the East Plaza to enhance its attractiveness, safety, and security. 
Requires the AOC to complete engineering and architectural designs and cost estimates for construction of the Center and to report to specified congressional committees and the Commission on the results.  Prohibits the AOC from beginning the construction of the Center until the cost estimates are approved by resolutions adopted by such committees. 
Establishes in the Treasury an Architect of the Capitol, Capitol Buildings and Grounds, Capitol Visitor Center, Gifts and Donations account. 
Authorizes the:  (1) AOC to enter into contracts, using noncompetitive procedures, to carry out this Act with respect to the Center; and (2) Commission to establish and delegate its functions under this Act to a Special Committee which shall provide the AOC with all necessary oversight and direction. 
Limits funding for the payments of expenditures incurred by the AOC in providing for the Center to amounts in the account established by this Act.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Capitol Visitor Center Authorization 
Act of 1995''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER.

    (a) In General.--The Architect of the Capitol, under the direction 
of the United States Capitol Preservation Commission, is authorized--
            (1) to plan, construct, equip, administer, and maintain a 
        Capitol Visitor Center under the East Plaza of the United 
        States Capitol with associated improvements to the Capitol to 
        provide access thereto; and
            (2) to reconstruct the environs of the East Plaza of the 
        United States Capitol to enhance its attractiveness, safety, 
        and security.
    (b) Purpose.--It shall be the purpose of the Capitol Visitor Center 
to provide reception facilities, educational exhibits, amenities, 
auditoriums, and other programs and facilities for members of the 
public visiting the United States Capitol.

SEC. 3. ENGINEERING AND DESIGN.

    (a) Report to Congress.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Architect of the Capitol shall complete 
engineering and architectural designs and cost estimates for 
construction of the Capitol Visitor Center and transmit a report on the 
results thereof to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules and 
Administration of the Senate, and the United States Capitol 
Preservation Commission.
    (b) Contents.--The report to be transmitted under subsection (a) 
shall include detailed plans, specifications, and cost estimates for 
construction of the Capitol Visitor Center.
    (c) Plans for Exhibits.--Plans and specifications for the exhibits 
and equipping of the Capitol Visitor Center shall be completed by the 
Architect of the Capitol as soon as practicable after the commencement 
of construction.

SEC. 4. CONSTRUCTION.

    (a) General Rule.--The Architect of the Capitol may not begin 
construction of the Capitol Visitor Center until plans, designs, and 
cost estimates transmitted under section 3 are approved by resolutions 
adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration 
of the Senate, respectively.
    (b) Building Codes.--The Capitol Visitor Center and associated 
improvements shall meet design standards applicable under nationally 
recognized building codes, as determined by the Architect of the 
Capitol. During construction, the Architect shall conduct periodic 
inspections of the Capitol Visitor Center for the purpose of assuring 
that such standards are being met.
    (c) Applicability of Certain Laws.--The Capitol Visitor Center and 
associated improvements and the construction thereof shall not be 
subject to any Federal or State law (including laws of the District of 
Columbia) relating to taxes, building codes, permits, or inspections.

SEC. 5. GIFTS.

    (a) In General.--For the purposes of carrying out section 2(a)(1), 
the Architect of the Capitol may solicit, receive, accept, hold, and 
dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.
    (b) Deposit of Receipts.--The Architect of the Capitol shall 
deposit into the account established by section 6(a) all monetary gifts 
received under subsection (a) and all proceeds from the disposition of 
nonmonetary gifts received under subsection (a).
    (c) Treatment Under Tax Laws.--Any gift accepted by the Architect 
of the Capitol under subsection (a) shall be considered a gift to the 
United States for the purposes of income, estate, and gift tax laws of 
the United States.

SEC. 6. ACCOUNT IN THE TREASURY.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the 
United States a separate account entitled ``Architect of the Capitol, 
Capitol Buildings and Grounds, Capitol Visitor Center, Gifts and 
Donations'' which shall consist of amounts deposited into the account 
by the Architect of the Capitol under section 5(b) and amounts credited 
to the account pursuant to this section.
    (b) Availability of Amounts.--Funds in the account established by 
subsection (a) shall be available to the Architect of the Capitol for 
carrying out section 2(a)(1) in such amounts as are specified in 
appropriations Acts. Such funds shall not be subject to any fiscal year 
limitation.
    (c) Reporting of Transactions.--Receipts, obligations, and 
expenditures of funds in the account established by subsection (a) 
shall be reported in annual estimates submitted to Congress by the 
Architect of the Capitol for the operation and maintenance of the 
Capitol Buildings and Grounds.
    (d) Investment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest 
        such portion of the account established by subsection (a) as is 
        not, in the judgment of the Secretary, required to meet current 
        withdrawals. Such investments may be made only in interest-
        bearing obligations of the United States. For such purpose, 
        such obligations may be acquired--
                    (A) on original issue at the issue price; or
                    (B) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the 
                market price.
            (2) Sale of obligations.--Any obligation acquired by the 
        account may be sold at the market price.
            (3) Interest on certain proceeds.--The interest on, and the 
        proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held 
        in the account shall be credited to and form part of the 
        account.

SEC. 7. AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT.

    The Architect of the Capitol may enter into contracts, using 
procedures other than competitive procedures, in carrying out section 
2(a)(1).

SEC. 8. SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF UNITED STATES CAPITOL PRESERVATION 
              COMMISSION.

    (a) Delegation of Functions.--The United States Capitol 
Preservation Commission is authorized to delegate to the Special 
Committee appointed pursuant to the amendment made by subsection (b) 
the functions of the Commission under this Act.
    (b) Establishment.--Section 801 of the Arizona-Idaho Conservation 
Act of 1988 (40 U.S.C. 188a) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(f) Special Committee.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Commission is authorized to 
        establish a Special Committee consisting of 3 Members of 
        Congress as follows:
                    ``(A) One Member of the House of Representatives to 
                be appointed by the Commission.
                    ``(B) One Member of the Senate to be appointed by 
                the Commission.
                    ``(C) One Member of the House of Representatives or 
                the Senate to be appointed by the 2 members appointed 
                pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B).
            ``(2) Chairman; functions.--The Special Committee 
        established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall elect its own 
        chairperson and shall provide the Architect of the Capitol with 
        all necessary oversight and direction in the exercise of the 
        authority granted to the Architect under the Capitol Visitor 
        Center Authorization Act of 1995.''.

SEC. 9. FUNDING LIMITATION.

    (a) General Rule.--Funds for the payment of expenses incurred by 
the Architect of the Capitol in carrying out section 2(a)(1) shall be 
derived solely from the account established by section 6(a).
    (b) Statutory Construction.--Subsection (a) shall not be construed 
as limiting the use of any funds for the repair, reconstruction, or 
improvement of any existing structure of the United States Capitol.