To require congressional approval before the sale, disposal, declaration of excess or surplus, transfer, or conveyance of Federal property with historical significance, and for other purposes.
The bill would add a new congressional oversight requirement for the sale, disposal, declaration of excess or surplus, transfer, or conveyance of federal property that has historical significance. Specifically, before any such action can occur, a federal “specified official” must notify Congress of the intended action, and Congress must pass a joint resolution approving the sale or transfer. The definition of “covered buildings” includes any land, building, structure, monument, or site that is owned by the United States and that is or has ever been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In effect, this creates a high-level veto-style mechanism (via a joint resolution) that can block or delay disposals of historic properties unless Congress approves.
Key Points
- 1A new approval process: No sale, disposal, declaration of excess or surplus, transfer, or conveyance of a covered building may proceed unless Congress passes a joint resolution approving the action after receiving a notice of intent.
- 2Notice to Congress: The “specified official” (including the President, agency heads, and other federal officials) must provide Congress with a notice of intent to undertake the sale, disposal, or other transfer.
- 3Definition of covered buildings: Any land, building, structure, monument, or site that is owned by the United States and that is or has ever been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 4Scope of “specified official”: Broad, encompassing the President, the head of any federal agency, and other federal officials.
- 5Legislative control mechanism: Approval is via a joint resolution passed by Congress (and presumably subject to the usual presidential initiation/veto processes), rather than unilateral agency action.