PUBLIC LAW 112–167—AUG. 10, 2012 

SENATE BATTERY RECHARGING STATION 


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126 STAT. 1296 PUBLIC LAW 112–167—AUG. 10, 2012 

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. 

2 USC 2170. 

Aug. 10, 2012 

[S. 739] 


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PUBLIC LAW 112–167—AUG. 10, 2012 126 STAT. 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. 

Plan. 


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126 STAT. 1298 PUBLIC LAW 112–167—AUG. 10, 2012 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 739: 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 158 (2012): 

May 24, considered and passed Senate. 

Aug. 2, considered and passed House. 

Æ 

(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This Act shall apply with respect to fiscal 

year 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter. 

Approved August 10, 2012. 


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