To authorize the Architect of the Capitol to establish battery recharging stations for privately owned vehicles in parking areas under the jurisdiction of the House of Representatives at no net cost to the Federal Government.
PL 112-170 (H.R.1402), enacted 08/16/2012

126 STAT. 1303 
PUBLIC LAW 112–170—AUG. 16, 2012 
Public Law 112–170 
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 House 
of Representatives 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 JURISDIC-
TION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 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 Chief 
Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives; or 
(2) any other individual who is authorized to park in any 
parking area under the jurisdiction of the House of Representa-
tives on Capitol Grounds. 
(b) AUTHORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (3), funds appro-
priated to the Architect of the Capitol under the heading ‘‘CAP-
ITOL 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 sta-
tions in parking areas under the jurisdiction of the House 
of Representatives on Capitol Grounds for use by privately 
owned vehicles used by Members of the House of Representa-
tives (including the Delegates or Resident Commissioner to 
the Congress) 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 Cap-
itol may construct or direct the construction of battery re-
charging 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 House Administration of the House of Rep-
resentatives; 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 pro-
vided to Members and covered employees sufficient to cover 
the costs to the Architect of the Capitol to carry out this 
2 USC 2171. 
Aug. 16, 2012 
[H.R. 1402] 
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126 STAT. 1304 
PUBLIC LAW 112–170—AUG. 16, 2012 
section, including costs to any vendors or other costs associated 
with maintaining the battery recharging stations. 
(2) APPROVAL OF FEES OR CHARGES.—The Architect of the 
Capitol may establish and adjust fees or charges under para-
graph (1) after— 
(A) submission of written notice detailing the amount 
of the fee or charge to be established or adjusted to the 
Committee on House Administration of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
(B) approval by that Committee. 
(d) DEPOSIT AND AVAILABILITY OF FEES, CHARGES, AND COMMIS-
SIONS.—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 appropria-
tions 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 House Administration of the House of 
Representatives. 
(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 House Administration of the House of Rep-
resentatives determining whether Members (including any 
Delegate or Resident Commissioner to Congress) and cov-
ered employees using battery charging stations as author-
ized by this Act are receiving a subsidy from the taxpayers. 
(B) MODIFICATION OF RATES AND FEES.—If a determina-
tion is made under subparagraph (A) that a subsidy is 
being received, the Architect of the Capitol shall submit 
a plan to the Committee on House Administration of the 
House of Representatives 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. 1305 
PUBLIC LAW 112–170—AUG. 16, 2012 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1402: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 112–625 (Comm. on House Administration). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 158 (2012): 
Aug. 2, considered and passed House and Senate. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This Act shall apply with respect to fiscal 
year 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter. 
Approved August 16, 2012. 
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