Collapse to view only § 1811. Powers and duties
- § 1811. Powers and duties
- § 1812. Care and superintendence of Capitol
- § 1813. Exterior of Capitol
- § 1814. Repairs of Capitol
- § 1815. Repealed.
- § 1816. Construction contracts
- § 1816a. Design-build contracts
- § 1816b. Architect of the Capitol, authority for personal services contracts with legal entities
- § 1817. Transfer of discontinued apparatus to other branches
- § 1817a. Disposition of surplus or obsolete personal property
- § 1818. Rental or lease of storage space
- § 1819. Computer backup facilities for legislative offices
- § 1820. Acquisition of real property for Capitol Police
- § 1821. Small purchase contracting authority
- § 1822. Leasing of space
- § 1823. Acquisition of real property for Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate
- § 1823a. Acquisition of real property for Library of Congress
- § 1824. Energy and environmental measures in Capitol Complex Master Plan
- § 1824a. Recyclable materials
- § 1825. Repealed.
- § 1826. Easements for rights-of-way
- § 1827. Support and maintenance during emergencies
- § 1828. Administration of public outreach and services for Capitol Grounds and Arboretum
§ 1811. Powers and duties
The Architect of the Capitol shall perform all the duties relative to the Capitol Building performed prior to August 15, 1876, by the Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds: Provided, That no change in the architectural features of the Capitol Building or in the landscape features of the Capitol Grounds shall be made except on plans to be approved by Congress.
(Aug. 15, 1876, ch. 287, 19 Stat. 147; Feb. 14, 1902, ch. 17, 32 Stat. 20; Mar. 3, 1921, ch. 124, 41 Stat. 1291; Pub. L. 118–31, div. E, title LVII, § 5702(d)(2), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 961.)
§ 1812. Care and superintendence of Capitol
The Architect of the Capitol shall on and after March 3, 1977, have the care and superintendence of the Capitol, including lighting. His office shall be in the Capitol Building.
(Aug. 15, 1876, ch. 287, 19 Stat. 147; Mar. 3, 1877, ch. 102, 19 Stat. 298; Oct. 31, 1951, ch. 654, § 3(14), 65 Stat. 708.)
§ 1813. Exterior of Capitol
On and after July 7, 1884, it shall be the duty of the Architect to clean and keep in proper order the exterior of the Capitol.
(July 7, 1884, ch. 332, 23 Stat. 209.)
§ 1814. Repairs of Capitol
All improvements, alterations, additions, and repairs of the Capitol Building shall be made by the direction and under the supervision of the Architect of the Capitol.
(R.S. § 1816; Feb. 14, 1902, ch. 17, 32 Stat. 20; Mar. 3, 1921, ch. 124, 41 Stat. 1291; Oct. 31, 1951, ch. 654, § 3(15), 65 Stat. 708.)
§ 1815. Repealed. Pub. L. 109–58, title I, § 101(c), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 606
§ 1816. Construction contracts
(a) Liquidated damages
(b) Amount of payment
The amount of payment required under a liquidated damages provision described in subsection (a) shall be equal to the product of—
(1) the daily liquidated damage payment rate; and
(2) the number of days by which the completion of the project is delayed.
(c) Daily liquidated damage payment rate
(1) In general
In subsection (b), the “daily liquidated damage payment rate” means—
(A) $140, in the case of a contract with a value greater than $50,000 and less than $100,000;
(B) $200, in the case of a contract with a value equal to or greater than $100,000 and equal to or less than $500,000; and
(C) the sum of $200 plus $50 for each $100,000 increment by which the value of the contract exceeds $500,000, in the case of a contract with a value greater than $500,000.
(2) Adjustment in rate permitted
(d) Effective date
(Pub. L. 107–68, title I, § 130, Nov. 12, 2001, 115 Stat. 580.)
§ 1816a. Design-build contracts
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Architect of the Capitol may use the two-phase selection procedures authorized in section 3309 of title 41 for entering into a contract for the design and construction of a public building, facility, or work in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions as the head of an executive agency under such section.
(b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2008 and each succeeding fiscal year.
(Pub. L. 110–161, div. H, title I, § 1308, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2244.)
§ 1816b. Architect of the Capitol, authority for personal services contracts with legal entities
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Architect of the Capitol is authorized to contract for personal services with any firm, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity in the same manner as he is authorized to contract for personal services with individuals under the provisions of section 6101 of title 41.
(Pub. L. 96–558, Dec. 19, 1980, 94 Stat. 3263.)
§ 1817. Transfer of discontinued apparatus to other branches
The Architect of the Capitol may transfer apparatus, appliances, equipments, and supplies of any kind, discontinued or permanently out of service, to other branches of the service of the United States, or District of Columbia, whenever, in his judgment the interests of the Government service may require it.
(June 26, 1912, ch. 182, § 11, 37 Stat. 184; Mar. 3, 1921, ch. 124, 41 Stat. 1291; May 29, 1928, ch. 901, § 1(120), 45 Stat. 995; Oct. 31, 1951, ch. 654, § 3(17), 65 Stat. 708.)
§ 1817a. Disposition of surplus or obsolete personal property
(a) In general
(b) Effective date
(Pub. L. 111–68, div. A, title I, § 1301, Oct. 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 2034.)
§ 1818. Rental or lease of storage space
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Architect of the Capitol, with the approval of the House Office Building Commission and Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, is authorized to secure, through rental, lease, or other appropriate agreement, storage space in areas within the District of Columbia and its environs beyond the boundaries of the United States Capitol Grounds for use of the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, under such terms and conditions as such Commission and committee may authorize, and to incur any necessary incidental expenses in connection therewith.
(Pub. L. 93–180, § 1, Dec. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 704.)
§ 1819. Computer backup facilities for legislative offices
(a) Acquisition of buildings and facilities
(b) Acquisition subject to approval
The acquisition of a building or facility under subsection (a) shall be subject to the approval of—
(1) the House Office Building Commission, in the case of a building or facility acquired for the use of an office of the House of Representatives;
(2) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, in the case of a building or facility acquired for the use of an office of the Senate; or
(3) the House Office Building Commission in the case of a building or facility acquired for the use of any other office in the legislative branch as part of a joint facility with (1) above, or the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, in the case of a building or facility acquired for the use of any other office in the legislative branch as part of a joint facility with (2) above.
(c) United States Capitol grounds provisions applicable
(d) Lease of buildings and facilities
(e) Effective date
(Pub. L. 107–206, title I, § 905, Aug. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 877; Pub. L. 109–55, title I, § 1202(a), Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 579.)
§ 1820. Acquisition of real property for Capitol Police
(a) Authority for acquisition
(b) United States Capitol grounds provisions applicable
(c) Effective date
(Pub. L. 107–206, title I, § 907, Aug. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 877.)
§ 1821. Small purchase contracting authority
(a) In general
To promote efficiency and economy in contracting and to avoid unnecessary burdens, the Architect of the Capitol is granted authority to utilize special simplified procedures for purchases of property and services the aggregate amount of which does not exceed $250,000. Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
(1)section 6101 of title 41 shall apply with respect to purchases and contracts for the Architect of the Capitol as if the reference to “$25,000” in paragraph (1) of such section were a reference to “$100,000”; and
(2) the Architect may procure services, equipment, and construction for security related projects in the most efficient manner he determines appropriate.
(b) Effective date
(Pub. L. 108–7, div. H, title I, § 1201, Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 372; Pub. L. 115–244, div. B, title I, § 133(a), Sept. 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 2936.)
§ 1822. Leasing of space
(a) In general
Funds appropriated to the Architect of the Capitol shall be available—
(1) for the leasing of space in areas within the District of Columbia and its environs beyond the boundaries of the United States Capitol Grounds to meet space requirements of the United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, United States Capitol Police, and the Architect of the Capitol under such terms and conditions as the Committee or Commission referred to under subsection (b) may authorize; and
(2) to incur any necessary expense in connection with any leasing of space under paragraph (1).
(b) Conditions to lease space
The Architect of the Capitol may lease space under subsection (a) upon submission of written notice of intent to lease such space to, and approved by—
(1) the Committees on Appropriations and Rules and Administration of the Senate for space to be leased for the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the House Office Building Commission for space to be leased for the House of Representatives; and
(3) the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives, for space to be leased for any other entity under subsection (a).
(c) Effective date
(Pub. L. 108–83, title I, § 1102, Sept. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1027; Pub. L. 110–161, div. H, title I, § 1306(a), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2243.)
§ 1823. Acquisition of real property for Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate
(1) The Architect of the Capitol may acquire (through purchase, lease, transfer from another Federal entity, or otherwise) real property, for the use of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to support the operations of the Senate—
(A) subject to the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate; and
(B) subject to the availability of appropriations and upon approval of an obligation plan by the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(2) Subject to the approval of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Secretary of the Senate may transfer funds for the acquisition or maintenance of any property under paragraph (1) from the account under the span “Senate, Contingent Expenses of the Senate, Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate” to the account under the span “Architect of the Capitol, Senate Office Buildings”.
(3) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(Pub. L. 109–289, div. B, title II, § 20701(b), as added Pub. L. 110–5, § 2, Feb. 15, 2007, 121 Stat. 37.)
§ 1823a. Acquisition of real property for Library of Congress
(a) Permitting leasing of space
Subject to the availability of funds, the Architect of the Capitol may acquire real property by lease for the use of the Library of Congress in any State or the District of Columbia if—
(1) the Architect of the Capitol and the Librarian of Congress submit a joint request for the Architect to lease the property to the Joint Committee on the Library and to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate; and
(2) the Joint Committee on the Library and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate each approve the request.
(b) Transfer of funds
(c) Limit on obligations
(d) Effective date
(Pub. L. 111–8, div. G, title I, § 1102, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 823.)
§ 1824. Energy and environmental measures in Capitol Complex Master Plan
(a) In general
(b) Report
(Pub. L. 110–140, title V, § 503, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1655.)
§ 1824a. Recyclable materials
(a) Collection and sale of recyclable materials
(1) Establishment of program
(2) Exclusion of materials subject to other programs
The program established under this section shall not apply with respect to any materials which are subject to collection and sale under—
(A)section 6516 of this title;
(B)section 5540 of this title;
(C)section 2026 of this title; or
(D) any other authorized program for the collection and sale of recyclable materials.
(b) Revolving fund
(1) In general
There is established in the Treasury a revolving fund for the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, which shall consist of—
(A) proceeds from the sale of recyclable materials under the program established under this section; and
(B) such amounts as may be appropriated under law.
(2) Use of fund
Amounts in the revolving fund established under paragraph (1) shall be available without fiscal year limitation to the Architect of the Capitol, subject to the Architect providing prior notice to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate—
(A) to carry out the program established under this section;
(B) to carry out authorized programs and activities of the Architect to improve the environment; and
(C) to carry out authorized programs and activities of the Architect to promote energy savings.
(c) Effective date
(Pub. L. 111–8, div. G, title I, § 1101, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 822; Pub. L. 113–76, div. I, title I, § 1303, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 429.)
§ 1825. Repealed. Pub. L. 110–437, title V, § 501(b)(2), Oct. 20, 2008, 122 Stat. 4997
§ 1826. Easements for rights-of-way
(a) In general
(b) Limitation
(c) Easement account
(d) In-kind consideration
(e) Termination of easement
The Architect of the Capitol may terminate all or part of any easement granted under this section for—
(1) failure to comply with the terms of the grant;
(2) nonuse for a 2-year period; or
(3) abandonment.
(f) Approval
The Architect of the Capitol may grant an easement for rights-of-way under subsection (a) upon submission of written notice of intent to grant that easement and the amount or type of consideration to be received, and approval by—
(1) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate for easements granted on property under Senate jurisdiction;
(2) the House Office Building Commission for property under House of Representatives jurisdiction; and
(3) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the House Office Building Commission for easements granted on any other property.
(g) Effective date
(Pub. L. 110–161, div. H, title I, § 1307, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2243.)
§ 1827. Support and maintenance during emergencies
(a) During an emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property, as determined or declared by the Capitol Police Board, the Architect of the Capitol—
(1) may accept contributions of comfort and other incidental items and services to support employees of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol while such employees are on duty in response to the emergency; and
(2) may incur obligations and make expenditures out of available appropriations for meals, refreshments, and other support and maintenance for the Office of the Architect of the Capitol if, in the judgment of the Architect, such obligations and expenditures are necessary to respond to the emergency.
(b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2010 and each succeeding fiscal year.
(Pub. L. 111–68, div. A, title I, § 1305, Oct. 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 2035.)
§ 1828. Administration of public outreach and services for Capitol Grounds and Arboretum
For this fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter, the Architect of the Capitol, subject to the approval of the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives, may enter into cooperative agreements with entities under such terms as the Architect determines advisable, in order to support the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum in carrying out its duties, authorities and mission, and may engage in plant material exchanges between the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum and other entities including Federal, State, or local government agencies, botanic gardens, arboretums, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, municipal parks, and gardens.
(Pub. L. 119–37, div. C, title I, § 121, Nov. 12, 2025, 139 Stat. 576.)