Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CAPITOL 
VISITOR CENTER 
Subtitle A—Description of Facility 
Sec. 101. Description and purposes of Capitol Visitor Center. 
Sec. 102. Oversight of committees. 
Sec. 103. Special rule for certain spaces in the Capitol Visitor Center. 
Subtitle B—Office of the Capitol Visitor Center; Chief Executive Officer for 
Visitor Services 
Sec. 111. Establishment. 
Sec. 112. Appointment and supervision of Chief Executive Officer for Visitor 
Services. 
Sec. 113. General duties of Chief Executive Officer. 
Sec. 114. Acceptance of gifts and volunteer services. 
Sec. 115. Special rules regarding certain administrative matters. 
TITLE II—RELATED SERVICES PROVIDED AT CAPITOL VISITOR 
CENTER 
Subtitle A—Related Services Described 
Sec. 201. Gift shop. 
Sec. 202. Food service operations. 
Sec. 203. Licenses and other agreements for operations or other functions. 
Subtitle B—Capitol Visitor Center Revolving Fund 
Sec. 211. Establishment; accounts. 
Sec. 212. Deposits in the Fund. 
Sec. 213. Use of monies. 
Sec. 214. Administration of Fund. 
TITLE III—TREATMENT OF CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE 
Subtitle A—Transfer to Office of the Capitol Visitor Center 
Sec. 301. Transfer of Capitol Guide Service. 
Sec. 302. Duties of employees of Capitol Guide Service.
Subtitle B—Office of Congressional Accessibility Services 
Sec. 311. Establishment of Office of Congressional Accessibility Services. 
Sec. 312. Director of Accessibility Services. 
Sec. 313. Transfer from Capitol Guide Service. 
Subtitle C—Technical and Conforming Amendments 
Sec. 321. Technical and conforming amendments. 
Subtitle D—Transfer Date 
Sec. 331. Transfer date. 
TITLE IV—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE I—ADMINISTRATION AND 
MANAGEMENT 
OF 
CAPITOL 
VISITOR CENTER 
Subtitle A—Description of Facility 
SEC. 101. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSES OF CAPITOL VIS-
ITOR CENTER. 
(a) TREATMENT AS PART OF CAPITOL.—In this Act, 
the ‘‘Capitol Visitor Center’’ is the facility authorized for 
construction under the heading ‘‘Capitol Visitor Center’’ 
under chapter 5 of title II of division B of the Omnibus 
Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropria-
tions Act, 1999 (Public Law 105–277; 112 Stat. 2681– 
569), and such facility shall be considered to be part of 
the United States Capitol for all provisions of law in ac-
cordance with this Act. 
(b) PURPOSES OF THE FACILITY.—In accordance 
with the provisions of this Act, the Capitol Visitor Center 
shall be used to—
(1) provide enhanced security for persons work-
ing in or visiting the United States Capitol; and 
(2) improve the visitor experience by providing 
a structure that will afford improved visitor orienta-
tion and enhance the educational experience of those 
who have come to learn about Congress and the 
Capitol. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT RELATING TO VIS-
ITOR CENTER SPACE IN THE CAPITOL.—Section 301 of 
the National Visitor Center Facilities Act of 1968 (2 
U.S.C. 2165) is repealed. 
SEC. 102. OVERSIGHT OF COMMITTEES. 
The Committee on Rules and Administration of the 
Senate and the Committee on House Administration of 
the House of Representatives (hereafter in this Act re-
ferred to as the ‘‘supervising Committees’’) shall exercise 
policy review and oversight over the Capitol Visitor Cen-
ter. 
SEC. 103. SPECIAL RULE FOR CERTAIN SPACES IN THE CAP-
ITOL VISITOR CENTER. 
(a) SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EX-
PANSION SPACE.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 
this Act, the Senate and House of Representatives expan-
sion space described as ‘‘unassigned space’’ under the 
heading ‘‘Architect of the Capitol, Capitol Visitor Center’’
in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 (Pub-
lic Law 107–68; 115 Stat. 588)— 
(1) shall not be treated as part of the Capitol 
Visitor Center for purposes of this Act; and 
(2) shall be treated for purposes of law (includ-
ing rules of the House of Representatives and Sen-
ate)— 
(A) in the case of space assigned for the 
use of the Senate, as part of the Senate wing 
of the Capitol and subject to the authority and 
control of the Committee on Rules and Admin-
istration of the Senate, or 
(B) in the case of space assigned for the 
use of the House, as part of the House of Rep-
resentatives wing of the Capitol and subject to 
the authority and control of the Speaker. 
(b) TREATMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL AUDITORIUM 
AND RELATED ADJACENT AREAS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of this Act, the space in the Capitol Visitor 
Center known as the Congressional Auditorium, to-
gether with each of the areas referred to in para-
graph (2), shall be assigned for Congressional use by 
the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services
under guidelines established by the supervising Com-
mittees. 
(2) AREAS DESCRIBED.—The areas referred to 
in this paragraph are as follows, as identified and 
designated by the Architect of the Capitol on Octo-
ber 1, 2007: 
(A) The North Congressional Meeting 
Room (CVC268) and the South Congressional 
Meeting Room (CVC217). 
(B) 
The 
North 
Pre-function 
Area 
(CVC268CR) and the South Pre-function Area 
(CVC217CR). 
(C) Lobbies CVC215 and CVC212. 
(D) The North Cloak Room (CVC210) and 
the South Cloak Room (CVC208). 
(E) The Projection Room (CVC209). 
(F) The Green Room (CVC207). 
(G) The TV Control Room (CVC105). 
(H) Offices CVC101, CVC102, CVC103, 
CVC104, CVC106, CVC204, and CVC205.
Subtitle B—Office of the Capitol 
Visitor Center; Chief Executive 
Officer for Visitor Services 
SEC. 111. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established within the Office of the Architect 
of the Capitol the Office of the Capitol Visitor Center (in 
this Act referred to as the ‘‘Office’’), to be headed by the 
Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services (in this Act 
referred to as the ‘‘Chief Executive Officer’’). 
SEC. 112. APPOINTMENT AND SUPERVISION OF CHIEF EX-
ECUTIVE OFFICER FOR VISITOR SERVICES. 
(a) APPOINTMENT.—The Chief Executive Officer 
shall be appointed by the Architect of the Capitol. 
(b) SUPERVISION AND OVERSIGHT.—The Chief Exec-
utive Officer shall report directly to the Architect of the 
Capitol and shall be subject to policy review and oversight 
by the supervising Committees. 
(c) REMOVAL.—Upon removal of the Chief Executive 
Officer, the Architect of the Capitol shall immediately no-
tify the supervising Committees and the Committees on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Sen-
ate, stating the reasons for the removal. 
(d) COMPENSATION.—The Chief Executive Officer 
shall be paid at an annual rate of pay equal to the annual 
rate of pay of the Deputy Architect of the Capitol and
itor Center, including all long term planning 
and day-today operational services and activities 
provided within the Capitol Visitor Center; and 
(B) in accordance with subtitle A of title 
III, the management of guided tours of the in-
terior of the United States Capitol. 
(2) INDEPENDENT BUDGET SUBMISSION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The proposed budget 
for the Office for a fiscal year shall be prepared 
by the Chief Executive Officer, and shall be in-
cluded without revision in the proposed budget 
for the year for the Office of the Architect of 
the Capitol (as submitted by the Architect of 
the Capitol to the President). 
(B) EXCLUSION
OF
COSTS
OF
GENERAL 
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF VISITOR CEN-
TER.—In preparing the proposed budget for the 
Office under subparagraph (A), the Chief Exec-
utive Officer shall exclude costs attributable to 
the activities and services described in section 
115(b) (relating to continuing jurisdiction of 
the Architect of the Capitol for the care and su-
perintendence of the Capitol Visitor Center). 
(b) PERSONNEL AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE PRO-
VISIONS.—
(1) PERSONNEL, DISBURSEMENTS, AND
CON-
TRACTS.—In carrying out this Act, the Chief Execu-
tive Officer shall have the authority— 
(A) to appoint, hire, and fix the compensa-
tion of such personnel as may be necessary for 
operations of the Office, except that no em-
ployee may be paid at an annual rate in excess 
of the maximum rate payable for level 15 of the 
General Schedule unless otherwise authorized 
by law; 
(B) to disburse funds as may be necessary 
and available for the needs of the Office (con-
sistent with the requirements of section 213 in 
the case of amounts in the Capitol Visitor Cen-
ter Revolving Fund); and 
(C) to designate an employee of the Office 
to serve as contracting officer for the Office, 
subject to subsection (c). 
(2) 
TEMPORARY
ASSIGNMENT
OF
PER-
SONNEL.—The Chief Executive Officer shall tempo-
rarily assign personnel of the Office based on a re-
quest from the Capitol Police Board to assist the 
United States Capitol Police by providing ushering 
and informational services, and other services not di-
rectly involving law enforcement, in connection 
with— 
(A) the inauguration of the President and 
Vice President of the United States; 
(B) the official reception of representatives 
of foreign nations and other persons by the 
Senate or House of Representatives; or 
(C) other special or ceremonial occasions 
in the United States Capitol or on the United 
States Capitol Grounds that require the pres-
ence of additional Government personnel. 
(3) AGREEMENTS WITH THE OFFICE OF THE 
ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL, WITH OTHER LEGISLA-
TIVE
BRANCH
AGENCIES, AND
WITH
OFFICES
OF 
THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.— 
Subject to the approval of the supervising Commit-
tees, the Chief Executive Officer may place orders 
and enter into agreements with the Office of the Ar-
chitect of the Capitol, with other legislative branch 
agencies, and with any office or other entity of the 
Senate or House of Representatives for procuring 
goods and providing financial and administrative 
services on behalf of the Office, or to otherwise as-
sist the Chief Executive Officer in the administra-
tion and management of the Capitol Visitor Center.
(c) REQUIRING
APPROVAL
OF
CERTAIN
CON-
TRACTS.—The Chief Executive Officer may not enter into 
a contract for which the amount involved exceeds 
$250,000 without the prior approval of the supervising 
Committees. 
(d) SEMIANNUAL REPORTS.—The Chief Executive 
Officer shall submit a report to the supervising Commit-
tees not later than 45 days following the close of each 
semiannual period ending on June 30 or December 31 of 
each year on the financial and operational status during 
the period of each function under the jurisdiction of the 
Chief Executive Officer. Each such report shall include fi-
nancial statements and a description or explanation of 
current operations, the implementation of new policies and 
procedures, and future plans for each function. 
SEC. 114. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS AND VOLUNTEER SERV-
ICES. 
(a) ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS.— 
(1) AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT AND USE GIFTS.— 
The Chief Executive Officer, with the approval of 
the supervising Committees, is authorized to receive, 
accept, and hold unrestricted gifts of money on be-
half of the Capitol Visitor Center, and to use the 
gifts for the benefit of the Capitol Visitor Center.
(2) ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS OF WORKS OF ART 
AND OTHER RELATED OBJECTS BY OTHER LEGISLA-
TIVE BRANCH ENTITIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a gift 
consisting of a work of art, historical object, or 
exhibit for which the authority to accept the 
gift for display in the Capitol is provided to an 
entity referred to in subparagraph (B), the enti-
ty shall have the authority to accept the gift for 
display in the Capitol Visitor Center in accord-
ance with the authority provided under applica-
ble law. 
(B) ENTITIES
DESCRIBED.—The entities 
referred to in this subparagraph are as follows: 
(i) The Joint Committee on the Li-
brary under section 1831 of the Revised 
Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 
2133). 
(ii) The United States Capitol Preser-
vation Commission under section 801 of 
the Arizona-Idaho Conservation Act of 
1988 (2 U.S.C. 2081). 
(iii) The House of Representatives 
Fine Arts Board under section 1000 of the
Arizona-Idaho Conservation Act of 1988 (2 
U.S.C. 2121). 
(iv) The Senate Commission on Art 
under section 1 of Senate Resolution 382, 
Ninetieth Congress, agreed to October 1, 
1968 and enacted into law by section 
901(a) of Public Law 100–690 (2 U.S.C. 
2101). 
(3) ANNUAL REPORT ON GIFTS ACCEPTED.— 
Each semiannual report submitted under section 
113(d) shall include a description of each accepted 
by the Chief Executive Officer under this subsection 
during the period covered by the report. 
(b) ACCEPTANCE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES.—Not-
withstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, 
the Chief Executive Officer may accept and use voluntary 
and uncompensated services for the Capitol Visitor Center 
as the Chief Executive Officer determines necessary. No 
person shall be permitted to donate his or her personal 
services under this section unless such person has first 
agreed, in writing, to waive any and all claims against the 
United States arising out of or connection with such serv-
ices, other than a claim under the provisions of chapter 
81 of title 5, United States Code. No person donating per-
sonal services under this section shall be considered an
employee of the United States for any purpose other than 
for purposes of chapter 81 of such title. In no case shall 
the acceptance of personal services under this subsection 
result in the reduction of pay or displacement of any em-
ployee of the Office. 
SEC. 115. SPECIAL RULES REGARDING CERTAIN ADMINIS-
TRATIVE MATTERS. 
(a) SPECIAL RULES REGARDING SECURITY.— 
(1) SECURITY JURISDICTION OF LAW ENFORCE-
MENT AGENCIES UNAFFECTED.—Nothing in this Act 
granting any authority to the Chief Executive Offi-
cer shall be construed to affect the exclusive jurisdic-
tion of the United States Capitol Police, the Capitol 
Police Board, the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper 
of the Senate, and the Sergeant at Arms of the 
House of Representatives to provide security for the 
Capitol Visitor Center. 
(2) ATTENDANCE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFI-
CER
AT
CERTAIN
MEETINGS
OF
CAPITOL
POLICE 
BOARD.—At the request of the Capitol Police Board, 
the Chief Executive Officer shall attend any portion 
of any meeting of the Capitol Police Board during 
which the Board considers issues relating to the se-
curity of the Capitol Visitor Center, including activi-
ties described in paragraph (3), or other issues relat-
ing to services provided by employees of the Office. 
(3) CONSULTATION
WITH
CAPITOL
POLICE 
BOARD ON SECURITY MATTERS.—The Office shall 
consult with the Capitol Police Board in carrying 
out any activity which affects the security of the 
Capitol Visitor Center or any other part of the Cap-
itol, including activities relating to the hours of oper-
ation, tour routes and the number of visitors per 
tour guide, and other activities relating to the entry 
of members of the general public into the Capitol 
and the movement of members of the general public 
within the Capitol. 
(4) PLAN FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR EM-
PLOYEES.—The Chief Executive Officer, in coordi-
nation with the Chief of the Capitol Police, shall de-
velop plans and procedures for conducting criminal 
history background checks on employees of the Of-
fice and individuals seeking employment with the Of-
fice (including employees of the Capitol Guide Serv-
ice who are transferred to the Office under title III). 
(b) SPECIAL RULES REGARDING CARE AND MAINTE-
NANCE OF FACILITIES.— 
(1) ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL JURISDICTION 
UNAFFECTED.—Nothing in this Act granting any
authority to the Chief Executive Officer (including 
section 114) shall be construed to affect the exclu-
sive jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol for 
the care and superintendence of the Capitol Visitor 
Center or any other part of the Capitol, and all 
maintenance services, groundskeeping services, im-
provements, alterations, additions, and repairs for 
the Capitol Visitor Center shall be carried out pur-
suant to the direction and supervision of the Archi-
tect subject to the oversight of Congress under ap-
plicable law (including rules of the House of Rep-
resentatives and Senate). 
(2) BUDGET
SUBMISSION.—The Architect of 
the Capitol shall submit with the annual budget for 
the Office of the Architect of the Capitol for a fiscal 
year a separate, detailed statement of the costs an-
ticipated to be incurred during the year for the ac-
tivities and services described in paragraph (1) 
which are excluded from the annual budget for the 
Office which is submitted by the Chief Executive Of-
ficer under section 113(a)(2). 
(c) SPECIAL
RULE
REGARDING
EXHIBITS
AND 
TOURS.—The Chief Executive Officer shall consider com-
ments and recommendations from the Clerk of the House 
of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate regard-
ing the content of exhibits contained in and tours operated 
out of the Capitol Visitor Center. 
TITLE 
II—RELATED 
SERVICES 
PROVIDED AT CAPITOL VIS-
ITOR CENTER 
Subtitle A—Related Services 
Described 
SEC. 201. GIFT SHOP. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—In consultation with the su-
pervising Committees, the Chief Executive Officer shall es-
tablish a gift shop within the Capitol Visitor Center for 
the purpose of providing for the sale of gift items. 
(b) EXCEPTION TO PROHIBITION OF SALE OR SOLIC-
ITATION ON CAPITOL GROUNDS.—Section 5104(c) of title 
40, United States Code, shall not apply to any activity 
carried out under this subsection. 
SEC. 202. FOOD SERVICE OPERATIONS. 
(a) RESTAURANT, CATERING, AND VENDING.—The 
Chief Executive Officer is authorized to establish within 
the Capitol Visitor Center a restaurant and other food 
service facilities, including catering services and vending 
machines. 
(b) USE OF CONTRACT TO CARRY OUT FOOD SERV-
ICE OPERATIONS.—The Chief Executive Officer shall 
carry out all food service operations within the Capitol
Visitor Center pursuant to a contract entered into with 
a private vendor. 
(c) EXCEPTION TO PROHIBITION OF SALE OR SOLIC-
ITATION ON CAPITOL GROUNDS.—Section 5104(c) of title 
40, United States Code, shall not apply to any activity 
carried out under this subsection. 
SEC. 203. LICENSES AND OTHER AGREEMENTS FOR OPER-
ATIONS OR OTHER FUNCTIONS. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—The Chief Executive Officer is au-
thorized— 
(1) subject to the approval of the supervising 
Committees, to enter into licenses and other agree-
ments to allow operations or other functions to occur 
within the Capitol Visitor Center; and 
(2) to assess and collect charges or other fees 
as may be appropriate under such licenses and 
agreements, including the recoupment of costs asso-
ciated with the operation or function being held. 
(b) EXCEPTION TO PROHIBITION OF SALE OR SOLIC-
ITATION ON CAPITOL GROUNDS.—To the extent that a li-
cense or agreement entered into by the Chief Executive 
Officer under this section permits any person to sell or 
solicit the sale of goods or services within the Capitol Vis-
itor Center, section 5104(c) of title 40, United States
Code, shall not apply to the sale or solicitation of sales 
of such goods or services. 
(c) APPROVAL OF CONGRESS REQUIRED FOR CER-
TAIN EVENTS.—No event intended for purposes other 
than those described in section 101(b) shall be held in the 
central hall of the Capitol Visitor Center unless authorized 
by a resolution agreed to by both houses of the Congress. 
Subtitle B—Capitol Visitor Center 
Revolving Fund 
SEC. 211. ESTABLISHMENT; ACCOUNTS. 
There is established in the Treasury of the United 
States a revolving fund to be known as the Capitol Visitor 
Center Revolving Fund (in this section referred to as the 
‘‘Fund’’), consisting of the following individual accounts: 
(1) The Gift Shop Account. 
(2) The Miscellaneous Receipts Account. 
SEC. 212. DEPOSITS IN THE FUND. 
(a) GIFT SHOP ACCOUNT.—There shall be deposited 
in the Gift Shop Account all monies received from sales 
and other services by the gift shop established under sec-
tion 201, together with any interest accrued on balances 
in the Account. 
(b) MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS ACCOUNT.—There 
shall be deposited in the Miscellaneous Receipts Account
in an interest-bearing obligation of the United States or 
an obligation guaranteed both as to principal and interest 
by the United States that, as determined by the Chief Ex-
ecutive Officer, has a maturity date suitable for the pur-
poses of the Fund. The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
credit interest earned on the obligations to the Fund. 
(c) AUDIT.—The Fund shall be subject to audit by 
the Comptroller General at the discretion of the Comp-
troller General. 
TITLE III—TREATMENT OF 
CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE 
Subtitle A—Transfer to Office of 
the Capitol Visitor Center 
SEC. 301. TRANSFER OF CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE. 
(a) TRANSFER OF AUTHORITIES AND PERSONNEL TO 
OFFICE OF THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER.—Except as 
provided in subsection (c), effective on the transfer date— 
(1) the contracts, liabilities, records, property, 
and other assets and interests of the Capitol Guide 
Service, established pursuant to section 441 of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (2 U.S.C. 
2166), and the employees of the Capitol Guide Serv-
ice, are transferred to the Office, except that the 
transfer of any amounts appropriated to the Capitol 
Guide Service that remain available as of the trans-
fer date shall occur only upon the approval of the 
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives and Senate; and 
(2) the Capitol Guide Service shall be subject to 
the direction, supervision, and control of the Chief 
Executive Officer in accordance with this subtitle. 
(b) TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEES OF CAPITOL GUIDE 
SERVICE AT TIME OF TRANSFER.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Any individual who is an 
employee of the Capitol Guide Service on a perma-
nent basis on the transfer date who is transferred to 
the Office under subsection (a) shall be subject to 
authority of the Chief Executive Officer under sec-
tion 302(b), except that the individual shall not be 
reduced in grade, compensation, rate of leave, or 
other benefits that apply with respect to the indi-
vidual at the time of transfer while such individual 
remains continuously so employed as a Capitol 
Guide within the Office, other than for cause. 
(2) ELIGIBILITY FOR IMMEDIATE RETIREMENT 
ON BASIS OF INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION.—For pur-
poses of section 8336(d) and section 8414(b) of title 
5, United States Code, an individual described in 
paragraph (1) who is separated from service with 
the Office shall be considered to have separated from
the service involuntarily if, at the time the individual 
is separated from service— 
(A) the individual has completed 25 years 
of service under such title; or 
(B) the individual has completed 20 years 
of service under such title and is 50 years of 
age or older. 
(3) CONTINUATION OF PARTICIPATION IN STU-
DENT
LOAN
REPAYMENT
PROGRAM.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, if an individual 
described in paragraph (1) has a written service 
agreement in effect under section 102 of the Legis-
lative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 (2 U.S.C. 
60c–5) at the time the individual is transferred to 
the Office, the agreement shall remain in effect in 
accordance with the terms and conditions applicable 
to the agreement at the time the individual is trans-
ferred (including the provisions of such section per-
mitting the individual to enter into additional service 
agreements for successive 1-year periods of employ-
ment), except that in applying such section to the in-
dividual, the following shall apply: 
(A) The Office shall serve as the employing 
office, and the Chief Executive Officer shall 
serve as the head of the employing office.
(B) The Architect of the Capitol shall 
carry out the responsibilities of the Secretary of 
the Senate. 
(C) Any reference to the Committee on 
Rules and Administration of the Senate and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate 
shall be treated as a reference to the super-
vising Committees. 
(D) If the individual is required to make 
any reimbursement under such section with re-
spect to payments made after the individual is 
transferred, the individual shall reimburse the 
Office of the Architect of the Capitol. 
(4) 
PROHIBITING
IMPOSITION
OF
PROBA-
TIONARY PERIOD.—The Chief Executive Officer may 
not impose a period of probation with respect to the 
transfer of any individual who is transferred to the 
Office under subsection (a). 
(c) EXCEPTION FOR CONGRESSIONAL SPECIAL SERV-
ICES OFFICE.—This section does not apply with respect 
to any employees, contracts, liabilities, records, property, 
and other assets and interests of the Congressional Special 
Services Office of the Capitol Guide Service that are trans-
ferred to the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services 
under subtitle B.
SEC. 302. DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES OF CAPITOL GUIDE SERV-
ICE. 
(a) PROVISION OF GUIDED TOURS.— 
(1) TOURS.—In accordance with this section, 
the Capitol Guide Service shall provide guided tours 
of the interior of the United States Capitol without 
charge, including the Capitol Visitor Center, for the 
education and enlightenment of the general public. 
(2) ACCEPTANCE
OF
FEES
PROHIBITED.—An 
employee of the Capitol Guide Service shall not 
charge or accept any fee, or accept any gratuity, for 
or on account of his official services. 
(3) REGULATIONS OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFI-
CER.— All such tours shall be conducted in compli-
ance with regulations approved by the Chief Execu-
tive Officer. 
(b) AUTHORITY OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.— 
In providing for the direction, supervision, and control of 
the Capitol Guide Service, the Chief Executive Officer is 
authorized— 
(1) subject to the availability of appropriations, 
to establish and revise such number of positions of 
Guide in the Capitol Guide Service as the Chief Ex-
ecutive Officer considers necessary to carry out ef-
fectively the activities of the Capitol Guide Service;
(2) to appoint, on a permanent basis without 
regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis 
of fitness to perform their duties, a Chief Guide and 
such deputies as the Chief Executive Officer con-
siders appropriate for the effective administration of 
the Capitol Guide Service and, in addition, such 
number of Guides as may be authorized; 
(3) with the approval of the supervising Com-
mittees, with respect to the individuals appointed 
pursuant to paragraph (2)— 
(A) to prescribe the individual’s duties and 
responsibilities, 
(B) to fix, and adjust from time to time, 
respective rates of pay at single per annum 
(gross) rates, and 
(C) to take appropriate disciplinary action, 
including, when circumstances warrant, suspen-
sion from duty without pay, reduction in pay, 
demotion, or termination of employment with 
the Capitol Guide Service, against any employee 
who violates any provision of this section or any 
regulation prescribed by the Chief Executive 
Officer pursuant to paragraph (7);
(4) to prescribe a uniform dress, including ap-
propriate insignia, which shall be worn by personnel 
of the Capitol Guide Service; 
(5) from time to time and as may be necessary, 
to procure and furnish such uniforms to such per-
sonnel without charge to such personnel; 
(6) to receive and consider advice and informa-
tion from any private historical or educational orga-
nization, association, or society with respect to those 
operations of the Capitol Guide Service which involve 
the furnishing of historical and educational informa-
tion to the general public; and 
(7) with the approval of the supervising Com-
mittees, to prescribe such regulations as the Chief 
Executive Officer considers necessary and appro-
priate for the operation of the Capitol Guide Service, 
including regulations with respect to tour routes and 
hours of operation, number of visitors per guide, 
staff-led tours, and non-law enforcement security 
and special event related support. 
(c) PROVISION OF ACCESSIBLE TOURS IN COORDINA-
TION WITH OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY 
SERVICES.—The Chief Executive Officer shall coordinate 
the provision of accessible tours for individuals with dis-
abilities with the Office of Congressional Accessibility 
Services established under subtitle B. 
Subtitle B—Office of Congressional 
Accessibility Services 
SEC. 311. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL 
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
legislative branch the Office of Congressional Accessibility 
Services, to be headed by the Director of Accessibility 
Services. 
(b) SUPERVISION
AND CONTROL.—The Office of 
Congressional Accessibility Services shall be subject to the 
direction, supervision, and control of the Capitol Police 
Board. 
(c) MISSION AND FUNCTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Office of Congressional 
Accessibility Services shall— 
(A) provide and coordinate accessibility 
services for individuals with disabilities, includ-
ing Members of Congress, employees of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate, and 
visitors, in the United States Capitol Complex; 
and 
(B) in consultation with the Office of 
House Employment Counsel and the Senate
Chief Counsel for Employment, provide infor-
mation regarding accessibility for individuals 
with disabilities, as well as related training and 
staff development, to Members of Congress and 
employees of the House of Representatives and 
Senate. 
(2) SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS.—The Director of Ac-
cessibility Services shall submit to the supervising 
Committees a list of the specific functions that the 
Office of Congressional Accessibility Services will 
perform in carrying out this subtitle with the ap-
proval of the supervising committees. The Director 
of Accessibility Services shall submit the list not 
later than 30 days after the transfer date. 
(3) NO EFFECT ON AUTHORITY OF EMPLOY-
MENT COUNSELS.—Nothing in this subtitle shall be 
construed to limit any authority or function of the 
Office of House Employment Counsel or the Senate 
Chief Counsel for Employment that such Office or 
Counsel carries out prior to the transfer date. 
(4) UNITED
STATES
CAPITOL
COMPLEX
DE-
FINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘United States 
Capitol Complex’’ means the Capitol buildings (as 
defined in section 5101 of title 40, United States
Code) and the United States Capitol Grounds (as 
described in section 5102 of such title). 
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 310 of the 
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1990 (2 U.S.C. 
130e) is repealed. 
SEC. 312. DIRECTOR OF ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES. 
(a) APPOINTMENT
AND
REMOVAL; COMPENSA-
TION.— 
(1) APPOINTMENT.—The Director of Accessi-
bility Services shall be appointed by the Capitol Po-
lice Board. 
(2) REMOVAL.—The Director of Accessibility 
Services may be removed by the Capitol Police 
Board, upon notification to the supervising Commit-
tees. 
(3) COMPENSATION.—The Director of Accessi-
bility Services shall be paid at an annual rate of pay 
determined by the Capitol Police Board, except that 
such rate may not exceed the maximum rate payable 
for level 15 of the General Schedule. 
(4) TRANSITION FOR CURRENT HEAD OF CON-
GRESSIONAL SPECIAL SERVICES OFFICE OF CAPITOL 
GUIDE SERVICE.—The individual serving as the head 
of the Congressional Special Services Office of the 
Capitol Guide Service as of the transfer date shall
be appointed by the Capitol Police Board as the first 
Director of Accessibility Services under this subtitle. 
(b) PERSONNEL
AND
OTHER
ADMINISTRATIVE 
FUNCTIONS.— 
(1) PERSONNEL, DISBURSEMENTS, AND
CON-
TRACTS.—In carrying out the functions of the Office 
of Congressional Accessibility Services under section 
311, the Director of Accessibility Services shall have 
the authority— 
(A) to appoint, hire, and fix the compensa-
tion of such personnel as may be necessary for 
operations of the Office of Congressional Acces-
sibility Services, except that no employee may 
be paid at an annual rate in excess of the an-
nual rate of pay for the Director of Accessibility 
Services; 
(B) to disburse funds as may be necessary 
and available for the needs of the Office of Con-
gressional Accessibility Services; and 
(C) to serve as contracting officer for the 
Office of Congressional Accessibility Services. 
(2) AGREEMENTS WITH THE OFFICE OF THE 
ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL, WITH OTHER LEGISLA-
TIVE
BRANCH
AGENCIES, AND
WITH
OFFICES
OF 
THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.—
Subject to the approval of the supervising Commit-
tees, the Director of Accessibility Services may place 
orders and enter into agreements with the Office of 
the Architect of the Capitol, with other legislative 
branch agencies, and with any office or other entity 
of the Senate or House of Representatives for pro-
curing goods and providing financial and administra-
tive services on behalf of the Office of Accessibility 
Services, or to otherwise assist the Director in the 
administration and management of the Office of Ac-
cessibility Services. 
(c) SEMIANNUAL REPORTS.—The Director of Acces-
sibility Services shall submit a report to the supervising 
Committees not later than 45 days following the close of 
each semiannual period ending on June 30 or December 
31 of each year on the financial and operational status 
during the period of each function under the jurisdiction 
of the Director. Each such report shall include financial 
statements and a description or explanation of current op-
erations, the implementation of new policies and proce-
dures, and future plans for each function. 
SEC. 313. TRANSFER FROM CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE. 
(a) TRANSFER OF AUTHORITIES AND PERSONNEL OF 
CONGRESSIONAL SPECIAL SERVICES OFFICE OF CAPITOL
grade, compensation, rate of leave, or other benefits 
that apply with respect to the individual at the time 
of transfer while such individual remains continu-
ously so employed within the Office of Congressional 
Accessibility Services established under section 
311(a), other than for cause. 
(2) ELIGIBILITY FOR IMMEDIATE RETIREMENT 
ON BASIS OF INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION.—For pur-
poses of section 8336(d) and section 8414(b) of title 
5, United States Code, an individual described in 
paragraph (1) who is separated from service with 
the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services 
shall be considered to have separated from the serv-
ice involuntarily if, at the time the individual is sep-
arated from service— 
(A) the individual has completed 25 years 
of service under such title; or 
(B) the individual has completed 20 years 
of service under such title and is 50 years of 
age or older. 
(3) 
PROHIBITING
IMPOSITION
OF
PROBA-
TIONARY
PERIOD.—The Director of Accessibility 
Services may not impose a period of probation with 
respect to the transfer of any individual who is
transferred to the Office of Congressional Accessi-
bility Services under subsection (a). 
Subtitle C—Technical and 
Conforming Amendments 
SEC. 321. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. 
(a) EXISTING AUTHORITY OF CAPITOL GUIDE SERV-
ICE.—Section 441 of the Legislative Reorganization Act 
of 1970 (2 U.S.C. 2166) is repealed. 
(b) COVERAGE UNDER CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNT-
ABILITY ACT OF 1995.— 
(1) TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEES AS COVERED 
EMPLOYEES.—Section 101(3)(C) of the Congres-
sional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 
1301(3)(C)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(C) the Office of Congressional Accessi-
bility Services;’’. 
(2) TREATMENT OF OFFICE AS EMPLOYING OF-
FICE.—Section 101(9)(D) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 
1301(9)(D)) is amended by striking ‘‘the Capitol 
Guide Board,’’ and inserting ‘‘the Office of Congres-
sional Accessibility Services,’’. 
(3) RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS RELATING TO 
PUBLIC SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATIONS.—Section 
210(a)(4) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1331(a)(4)) is 
amended to read as follows:
‘‘(4) the Office of Congressional Accessibility 
Services;’’. 
(4) PERIODIC INSPECTIONS FOR OCCUPATIONAL 
SAFETY
AND
HEALTH
COMPLIANCE.—Section 
215(e)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1341(e)(1)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘the Capitol Guide Service,’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the Office of Congressional Accessi-
bility Services,’’. 
(c) TREATMENT
AS CONGRESSIONAL EMPLOYEES 
FOR RETIREMENT PURPOSES.—Section 2107(9) of title 5, 
United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(9) an employee of the Office of Congressional 
Accessibility Services.’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on the transfer date. 
Subtitle D—Transfer Date 
SEC. 331. TRANSFER DATE. 
In this title, the ‘‘transfer date’’ means the date on 
which the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the 
Architect of the Capitol, certifies that a certificate of occu-
pancy for the Capitol Visitor Center has been issued by 
the appropriate authorities.
TITLE IV—GENERAL 
PROVISIONS 
SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as are necessary to carry out this Act. 
Passed the House of Representatives March 5, 
2008. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5159 
AN ACT 
To establish the Office of the Capitol Visitor Center 
within the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, 
headed by the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor 
Services, to provide for the effective management 
and administration of the Capitol Visitor Center, 
and for other purposes.