I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3158 
To establish a pilot program to execute lease agreements using alternative 
procedures, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 6, 2019 
Mr. MEADOWS (for himself and Mr. PENCE) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To establish a pilot program to execute lease agreements 
using alternative procedures, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. STREAMLINED LEASING PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) EXECUTION OF LEASES.—The Administrator of 
General Services shall establish and conduct a pilot pro-
gram to execute lease agreements using alternative proce-
dures pursuant to authority provided under section 585 
of title 40, United States Code, and pursuant to the provi-
sions of this section. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:04 Jun 13, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3158.IH
H3158
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
(b) GOALS OF PROCEDURES.—The goals of the alter-
native procedures are— 
(1) reducing the costs to the Government of 
leased space, including— 
(A) executing long-term leases with firm 
terms of 10 years or more and reducing costly 
holdover and short-term lease extensions, in-
cluding short firm term leases; 
(B) improving office space utilization rates 
of Federal tenants; and 
(C) streamlining and simplifying the leas-
ing process to take advantage of real estate 
markets; and 
(2) significantly reducing or eliminating the 
backlog of expiring leases over the next 5 years. 
(c) LEASEHOLD INTERESTS IN REAL PROPERTY.— 
(1) 
SIMPLIFIED
PROCEDURES.—Notwith-
standing subsection (b) of section 3305 of title 41, 
United States Code, but otherwise in accordance 
with such section, the Administrator shall provide 
special simplified procedures for acquisitions of 
leasehold interests in real property at rental rates 
that do not exceed the simplified lease acquisition 
threshold, as defined in paragraph (2). The rental 
rate under a multiyear lease does not exceed the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:04 Jun 13, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3158.IH
H3158
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
simplified lease acquisition threshold if the average 
annual amount of the rent payable for the period of 
the lease does not exceed such threshold. 
(2) ACQUISITION
THRESHOLD.—For purposes 
of this section, the simplified lease acquisition 
threshold is $500,000. 
(d) CONSOLIDATED LEASE PROSPECTUSES.—The 
Administrator may, when acquiring leasehold interests 
subject to section 3307 of title 40, United States Code, 
transmit, pursuant to subsection (b) of such section, to 
the committees designated in such section for approval of 
a prospectus to acquire leased space, and waive the re-
quirements pursuant to paragraphs (3) and (6) of section 
3307(b), subject to the following requirements: 
(1) COST PER SQUARE FOOTAGE.—The cost per 
square footage does not exceed the maximum pro-
posed rental rate designated for the respective geo-
graphical area. 
(2) SPACE
UTILIZATION.—The overall space 
utilization rate is 170 usable square feet per person 
or less based on actual agency staffing levels when 
occupied. 
(3) LEASE TERM.—The lease firm term is 10 
years or greater. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:04 Jun 13, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3158.IH
H3158
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
(4) GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION.—The geographical 
location is identified as having a large amount of 
square footage of Federal office space and lease 
turnover and will likely result in providing for the 
ability, on a timely basis, of the agency to consoli-
date space effectively or meet any requirements for 
temporary or interim space required for planned 
consolidations. 
(5) 
SUBMARKETS.—Agencies 
may 
consider 
space in submarket locations that meet mission re-
quirements. 
(e) CONSOLIDATIONS GENERALLY.—The Adminis-
trator may consolidate more than one project into a single 
prospectus submitted pursuant to section 3307(b) of title 
40, United States Code, if such consolidation will facilitate 
efficiencies and reductions in overall space and improved 
utilization rates. 
(f) WAIVER AUTHORITY.—The Administrator may— 
(1) waive notice and comment rulemaking, if 
the Administrator determines the waiver is necessary 
to implement this section expeditiously; and 
(2) carry out the alternative procedures under 
this section as a pilot program. 
(g) REPORTS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:04 Jun 13, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3158.IH
H3158
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
(1) ANNUAL REPORTS.—During the period in 
which the pilot program is conducted under this sec-
tion, the Administrator shall submit, annually, to 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a 
progress report that provides updates on the number 
and square footage of leases expiring in the 5-year 
period beginning on the date of enactment of this 
Act, by agency and region, and which shall include 
for the expiring leases— 
(A) an average of the lease terms, includ-
ing firm terms, for leases executed; and 
(B) the percentage of leases managed in- 
house or through the use of commercial real es-
tate leasing services. 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 180 days 
after termination of the pilot program, the Adminis-
trator shall submit a final report to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Environ-
ment and Public Works of the Senate. The final re-
port shall include— 
(A) a review and evaluation of the lease 
agreements executed under the alternative pro-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:04 Jun 13, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3158.IH
H3158
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
cedures established pursuant to this section in 
comparison to those agreements not executed 
pursuant to the alternative procedures; 
(B) recommendations on any permanent 
changes to the General Services Administra-
tion’s leasing authority; and 
(C) a progress evaluation in meeting the 
goals described in subsection (b). 
(h) TERMINATION.—The authorities under this sec-
tion shall terminate on December 31, 2024. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:04 Jun 13, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H3158.IH
H3158
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS