[Pages S10011-S10016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

SA 5674. Mr. REID (for Mrs. Feinstein (for herself and Mr. Bennett))
proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 5159, 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; as follows:

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:

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 for this Act
is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

TITLE I--CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

Sec. 101. Designation of facility as Capitol Visitor Center; purposes
of facility; treatment of the Capitol Visitor Center.
Sec. 102. Designation and naming within the Capitol Visitor Center.
Sec. 103. Use of the Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center.

TITLE II--OFFICE OF THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

Sec. 201. Establishment.
Sec. 202. Appointment and supervision of Chief Executive Officer for
Visitor Services.
Sec. 203. General duties of Chief Executive Officer.
Sec. 204. Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer.
Sec. 205. Gift shop.
Sec. 206. Food service operations.

TITLE III--CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER REVOLVING FUND

Sec. 301. Establishment and accounts.
Sec. 302. Deposits in the Fund.
Sec. 303. Use of monies.
Sec. 304. Administration of Fund.

TITLE IV--CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE AND OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

Subtitle A--Capitol Guide Service

Sec. 401. Transfer of Capitol Guide Service.
Sec. 402. Duties of employees of Capitol Guide Service.

Subtitle B--Office of Congressional Accessibility Services

Sec. 411. Office of Congressional Accessibility Services.
Sec. 412. Transfer from Capitol Guide Service.

Subtitle C--Transfer Date and Technical and Conforming Amendments

Sec. 421. Transfer date.
Sec. 422. Technical and conforming amendments.

TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Jurisdictions unaffected.
Sec. 502. Student loan repayment authority.
Sec. 503. Acceptance of volunteer services.
Sec. 504. Coins treated as gifts.
Sec. 505. Flexible work schedule pilot program.

TITLE VI--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 601. Authorization of appropriations.

TITLE I--CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

SEC. 101. DESIGNATION OF FACILITY AS CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER;
PURPOSES OF FACILITY; TREATMENT OF THE CAPITOL
VISITOR CENTER.

(a) Designation.--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 Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law
105-277; 112 Stat. 2681-569) is designated as the Capitol
Visitor Center and is a part of the Capitol.
(b) Purposes of the Facility.--The Capitol Visitor Center
shall be used--
(1) to provide enhanced security for persons working in or
visiting the United States Capitol;
(2) to improve the visitor experience by providing a
structure that will afford improved visitor orientation and
enhance the educational experience of those who have come to
learn about the Congress and the Capitol; and
(3) for other purposes as determined by Congress or the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the
Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives.
(c) Treatment of the Capitol Visitor Center.--
(1) Oversight.--The Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of
the House of Representatives shall have oversight of the
Capitol Visitor Center.
(2) Treatment of expansion space of the senate and house of
representatives in the capitol visitor center.--
(A) Senate.--The expansion space of the Senate described as
unassigned space under the heading ``Capitol Visitor Center''
under the heading ``ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL'' under title II
of the Act entitled ``An Act making appropriations for the
Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2002, and for other purposes'', approved November 12, 2001
(Public Law 107-68; 115 Stat. 588) shall be part of the
Senate wing of the Capitol.
(B) House of representatives.--The expansion space of the
House of Representatives described as unassigned space under
the heading ``Capitol Visitor Center'' under the heading
``ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL'' under title II of the Act
entitled ``An Act making appropriations for the Legislative
Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, and for
other purposes'', approved November 12, 2001 (Public Law 107-
68; 115 Stat. 588) shall be part of the House of
Representatives wing of the Capitol.
(d) Treatment of Congressional Auditorium and Related
Adjacent Areas.--
(1) In general.--The Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of
the House of Representatives shall jointly prescribe
regulations for the assignment of the space in the Capitol
Visitor Center known as the Congressional Auditorium and the
related adjacent areas.
(2) Related adjacent areas.--The regulations under
paragraph (1) shall include a designation of the areas that
are related adjacent areas to the Congressional Auditorium.
(e) Visitor Center Space in the Capitol.--Section 301 of
the National Visitor

[[Page S10012]]

Center Facilities Act of 1968 (2 U.S.C. 2165) is repealed.
(f) Exhibits for Displays.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Loan agreements.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Architect of the Capitol may enter into loan agreements to
place historical objects for display in the Exhibition Hall
of the Capitol Visitor Center.
(B) Consultation and approval.--The Architect of the
Capitol may exercise the authority under subparagraph (A)
with respect to each loan agreement--
(i) after consultation with--

(I) the Senate Commission on Art; and
(II) the House of Representatives Fine Arts Board; and

(ii) subject to the approval of--

(I) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the
Senate; and
(II) the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives.

(C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on
December 3, 2008.
(2) Exhibition prohibition.--Section 1815 of the Revised
Statutes (2 U.S.C. 2134) is amended by inserting
``Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center,'' after
``Rotunda,''.
(3) Exceptions to exhibition prohibition.--Section 1815 of
the Revised Statutes (2 U.S.C. 2134) shall not apply to any
historical object placed within an exhibit in the Exhibition
Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center that--
(A)(i) is directly related to the purpose of the Capitol
Visitor Center under subsection (b)(2);
(ii) is the subject of a loan agreement entered into by the
Architect of the Capitol before December 2, 2008; and
(iii) has been approved by the Capitol Preservation
Commission; or
(B) is the subject of a loan agreement described under
paragraph (1)(A).
(4) Substitution of historical object.--A loan agreement
described under paragraph (3)(A)(ii) may provide for the
removal of an historical object from exhibition for
preservation purposes and the substitution of that object
with another historical object having a comparable
educational purpose.

SEC. 102. DESIGNATION AND NAMING WITHIN THE CAPITOL VISITOR
CENTER.

(a) In General.--Except as provided under subsection (b),
no part of the Capitol Visitor Center may be designated or
named without the approval of--
(1) not less than \3/4\ of all members on the Capitol
Preservation Commission who are members of the Democratic
party; and
(2) not less than \3/4\ of all members on the Capitol
Preservation Commission who are members of the Republican
party.
(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to any room
or space under the jurisdiction of the Senate or the House of
Representatives.

SEC. 103. USE OF THE EMANCIPATION HALL OF THE CAPITOL VISITOR
CENTER.

The Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center may not
be used for any event, except upon the passage of a
resolution agreed to by both houses of Congress authorizing
the use of the Emancipation Hall for that event.

TITLE II--OFFICE OF THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

SEC. 201. 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. 202. APPOINTMENT AND SUPERVISION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE
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 Executive Officer
shall report directly to the Architect of the Capitol and
shall be subject to oversight by the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives.
(c) Removal.--Upon removal of the Chief Executive Officer,
the Architect of the Capitol shall immediately provide notice
of the removal to the Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate, the Committee on House Administration of the
House of Representatives, and the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate.
The notice shall include 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.
(e) Transition for Current Chief Executive Officer for
Visitor Services.--
(1) Appointment.--The individual who serves as the Chief
Executive Officer for Visitor Services under section 6701 of
the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery,
and Iraq Accountability Appropriation Act of 2007 (2 U.S.C.
1806) as of the date of the enactment of this Act shall be
the first Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services
appointed by the Architect under this section.
(2) Technical and conforming amendment.--Section 6701 of
the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery,
and Iraq Accountability Appropriation Act of 2007 (2 U.S.C.
1806) is repealed.

SEC. 203. GENERAL DUTIES OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

(a) Administration of Facilities, Services, and
Activities.--
(1) In general.--Except to the extent otherwise provided in
this Act, the Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible
for--
(A) the operation, management, and budget preparation and
execution of the Capitol Visitor Center, including all long
term planning and daily operational services and activities
provided within the Capitol Visitor Center; and
(B) in accordance with sections 401 and 402, the management
of guided tours of the interior of the United States Capitol.
(2) Independent budget consideration.--
(A) In general.--The Architect of the Capitol, upon
recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, shall submit
the proposed budget for the Office for a fiscal year in the
proposed budget for that year for the Office of the Architect
of the Capitol (as submitted by the Architect of the Capitol
to the President). The proposed budget for the Office shall
be considered independently from the other components of the
proposed budget for the Architect of the Capitol.
(B) Exclusion of costs of general maintenance and repair of
visitor center.--In preparing the proposed budget for the
Office under subparagraph (A), the Chief Executive Officer
shall exclude costs attributable to the activities and
services described under section 501(b) (relating to
continuing jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol for
the care and superintendence of the Capitol Visitor Center).
(b) Personnel, Disbursements, and Contracts.--In carrying
out this Act, the Architect of the Capitol shall have the
authority to, upon recommendation of the Chief Executive
Officer--
(1) appoint, hire, and fix the compensation of such
personnel as may be necessary for operations of the Office,
except that no employee may be paid at an annual rate in
excess of the maximum rate payable for level 15 of the
General Schedule;
(2) disburse funds as may be necessary and available for
the needs of the Office (consistent with the requirements of
section 303 in the case of amounts in the Capitol Visitor
Center Revolving Fund); and
(3) designate an employee of the Office to serve as
contracting officer for the Office, subject to subsection
(c).
(c) Requiring Approval of Certain Contracts.--The Architect
of the Capitol may not enter into a contract for the
operations of the Capitol Visitor Center for which the amount
involved exceeds $250,000 without the prior approval of the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the
Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives.
(d) Semiannual Reports.--The Chief Executive Officer shall
submit a report to the Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of
the House of Representatives not later than 45 days following
the close of each semiannual period ending on March 31 or
September 30 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 financial statements and a description or
explanation of current operations, the implementation of new
policies and procedures, and future plans for each function.

SEC. 204. ASSISTANT TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

(a) In General.--The Architect of the Capitol shall--
(1) upon recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer,
appoint an assistant who shall perform the responsibilities
of the Chief Executive Officer during the absence or
disability of the Chief Executive Officer, or during a
vacancy in the position of the Chief Executive Officer; and
(2) notwithstanding section 203(b)(1), fix the rate of
basic pay for the position of the assistant appointed under
subparagraph (A) at a rate not to exceed the highest total
rate of pay for the Senior Executive Service under subchapter
VIII of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, for the
locality involved.
(b) Transition for Current Assistant Chief Executive
Officer.--
(1) Appointment.--The individual who serves as the
assistant under section 1309 of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 2008 (2 U.S.C. 1807) as of the date of
the enactment of this Act shall be the first Assistant Chief
Executive Officer for Visitor Services appointed by the
Architect under this section.
(2) Technical and conforming amendment.--Section 1309 of
the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008 (2 U.S.C.
1807) is repealed.

SEC. 205. GIFT SHOP.

(a) Establishment.--The Architect of the Capitol, acting
through the Chief Executive Officer, shall establish a
Capitol Visitor Center Gift Shop within the Capitol Visitor
Center for the purpose of providing for the sale of gift
items. All moneys received from sales and other services by
the Capitol Visitor Center Gift Shop shall be deposited in
the Capitol Visitor Center Revolving Fund established under
section 301 and shall be available for purposes of this
section.
(b) Exception to Prohibition of Sale or Solicitation on
Capitol Grounds.--Section 5104(c) of title 40, United States
Code, shall not apply to any activity carried out under this
section.

SEC. 206. FOOD SERVICE OPERATIONS.

(a) Restaurant, Catering, and Vending.--The Architect of
the Capitol, acting through

[[Page S10013]]

the Chief Executive Officer, shall establish within the
Capitol Visitor Center a restaurant and other food service
facilities, including catering services and vending machines.
(b) Contract for Food Service Operations.--
(1) In general.--The Architect of the Capitol, acting
through the Chief Executive Officer, may enter into a
contract for food service operations within the Capitol
Visitor Center.
(2) Existing contract unaffected.--Nothing in paragraph (1)
shall be construed to affect any contract for food service
operations within the Capitol Visitor Center in effect on the
date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Deposits.--All net profits from the food service
operations within the Capitol Visitor Center and all
commissions received from the contractor for such food
service operations shall be deposited in the Capitol Visitor
Center Revolving Fund established under section 301.
(d) Exception to Prohibition of Sale or Solicitation on
Capitol Grounds.--Section 5104(c) of title 40, United States
Code, shall not apply to any activity carried out under this
section.

TITLE III--CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER REVOLVING FUND

SEC. 301. ESTABLISHMENT AND 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. 302. 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 section 205,
together with any interest accrued on balances in the
Account.
(b) Miscellaneous Receipts Account.--There shall be
deposited in the Miscellaneous Receipts Account each of the
following (together with any interest accrued on balances in
the Account):
(1) Any amounts deposited under section 206(c).
(2) Any other receipts received from the operation of the
Capitol Visitor Center.
(3) Any amounts described under section 504(d).

SEC. 303. USE OF MONIES.

(a) Gift Shop Account.--
(1) In general.--All monies in the Gift Shop Account shall
be available without fiscal year limitation for disbursement
by the Architect of the Capitol, upon recommendation of the
Chief Executive Officer, in connection with the operation of
the gift shop under section 205, including supplies,
inventories, equipment, and other expenses. In addition, such
monies may be used by the Architect of the Capitol, upon
recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, to reimburse
any applicable appropriations account for amounts used from
such appropriations account to pay the salaries of employees
of the gift shops.
(2) Use of remaining funds.--To the extent monies in the
Gift Shop Account are available after disbursements and
reimbursements are made under paragraph (1), the Architect of
the Capitol, upon recommendation of the Chief Executive
Officer, may disburse such monies for the operation of the
Capitol Visitor Center, after consultation with--
(A) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate
and the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives; and
(B) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and Senate.
(b) Miscellaneous Receipts Account.--All monies in the
Miscellaneous Receipts Account shall be available without
fiscal year limitation for disbursement by the Architect of
the Capitol, upon recommendation of the Chief Executive
Officer, for the operations of the Capitol Visitor Center,
after consultation with--
(1) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate
and the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives; and
(2) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and Senate.

SEC. 304. ADMINISTRATION OF FUND.

(a) Disbursements.--Disbursements from the Fund may be made
by the Architect of the Capitol, upon recommendation of the
Chief Executive Officer.
(b) Investment Authority.--The Secretary of the Treasury
shall invest any portion of the Fund that, as determined by
the Architect of the Capitol, upon recommendation of the
Chief Executive Officer, is not required to meet current
expenses. Each investment shall be made 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 Architect of the Capitol,
upon recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, has a
maturity date suitable for the purposes 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 Comptroller
General.

TITLE IV--CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE AND OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

Subtitle A--Capitol Guide Service

SEC. 401. TRANSFER OF CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE.

(a) Transfer of Authorities and Personnel to Office of the
Capitol Visitor Center.--In accordance with the provisions of
this title, effective on the transfer date--
(1) the Capitol Guide Service shall be an office within the
Office;
(2) the contracts, liabilities, records, property,
appropriations, and other assets and interests of the Capitol
Guide Service, established under section 441 of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (2 U.S.C. 2166), and
the employees of the Capitol Guide Service, are transferred
to the Office, except that the transfer of any amounts
appropriated to the Capitol Guide Service that remain
available as of the transfer date shall occur only upon the
approval of the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and Senate; and
(3) the Capitol Guide Service shall be subject to the
direction of the Architect of the Capitol, upon
recommendation 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 non-temporary basis on the
transfer date who is transferred to the Office under
subsection (a) shall be subject to the authority of the
Architect of the Capitol under section 402(b), except that
the individual's grade, compensation, rate of leave, or other
benefits that apply with respect to the individual at the
time of transfer shall not be reduced while such individual
remains continuously so employed in the same position within
the Office, other than for cause.
(2) Eligibility for immediate retirement on basis of
involuntary separation.--For purposes 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.
(c) Exception for Congressional Special Services Office.--
This section does not apply with respect to any employees,
contracts, liabilities, records, property, appropriations,
and other assets and interests of the Congressional Special
Services Office of the Capitol Guide Service that are
transferred to the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services under subtitle B.

SEC. 402. DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES OF CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE.

(a) Provision of Guided Tours.--
(1) Tours.--In accordance with this section, the Capitol
Guide Service shall provide without charge guided tours of
the interior of the United States Capitol, 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 the official
services of that employee.
(3) Regulations of the architect of the capitol.--All such
tours shall be conducted in compliance with regulations
approved by the Architect of the Capitol, upon recommendation
of the Chief Executive Officer.
(b) Authority of the Architect of the Capitol.--In
providing for the direction, supervision, and control of the
Capitol Guide Service, the Architect of the Capitol, upon
recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, is authorized
to--
(1) subject to the availability of appropriations,
establish and revise such number of positions of Guide in the
Capitol Guide Service as the Architect of the Capitol
considers necessary to carry out effectively the activities
of the Capitol Guide Service;
(2) 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
Architect of the Capitol considers 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 Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives, with respect
to the individuals appointed under paragraph (2)--
(A) prescribe the individual's duties and responsibilities;
and
(B) fix, and adjust from time to time, respective rates of
pay at single per annum (gross) rates;
(4) with respect to the individuals appointed under
paragraph (2), take appropriate disciplinary action,
including, when circumstances warrant, suspension 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 Architect of the Capitol under
paragraph (8);
(5) prescribe a uniform dress, including appropriate
insignia, which shall be worn by personnel of the Capitol
Guide Service;
(6) from time to time and as may be necessary, procure and
furnish such uniforms to such personnel without charge to
such personnel;

[[Page S10014]]

(7) receive and consider advice and information from any
private historical or educational organization, association,
or society with respect to those operations of the Capitol
Guide Service which involve the furnishing of historical and
educational information to the general public; and
(8) with the approval of the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives, prescribe
such regulations as the Architect of the Capitol considers
necessary and appropriate 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 Coordination With
Office of Congressional Accessibility Services.--The Chief
Executive Officer shall coordinate the provision of
accessible tours for individuals with disabilities with the
Office of Congressional Accessibility Services established
under subtitle B.
(d) Detail of Personnel.--The Architect of the Capitol
shall detail personnel of the Capitol Guide Service based on
a request from the Capitol Police Board to assist the United
States Capitol Police by providing ushering and informational
services, and other services not directly involving law
enforcement, in connection with--
(1) the inauguration of the President and Vice President of
the United States;
(2) the official reception of representatives of foreign
nations and other persons by the Senate or House of
Representatives; or
(3) other special or ceremonial occasions in the United
States Capitol or on the United States Capitol Grounds that--
(A) require the presence of additional Government
personnel; and
(B) cause the temporary suspension of the performance of
regular duties.
(e) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the
transfer date.

Subtitle B--Office of Congressional Accessibility Services

SEC. 411. OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES.

(a) In General.--Section 310 of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 1990 (2 U.S.C. 130e) is amended to read
as follows:

``SEC. 310. OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES.

``(a) Establishment of Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the
legislative branch the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services, to be headed by the Director of Accessibility
Services.
``(2) Congressional accessibility services board.--
``(A) Establishment.--There is established the
Congressional Accessibility Services Board, which shall be
composed of--
``(i) the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate;
``(ii) the Secretary of the Senate;
``(iii) the Sergeant at Arms of the House of
Representatives;
``(iv) the Clerk of the House of Representatives; and
``(v) the Architect of the Capitol.
``(B) Direction of board.--The Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services shall be subject to the direction of
the Congressional Accessibility Services Board.
``(3) Mission and functions.--
``(A) In general.--The Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services shall--
``(i) provide and coordinate accessibility services for
individuals with disabilities, including Members of Congress,
officers and employees of the House of Representatives and
the Senate, and visitors, in the United States Capitol
Complex; and
``(ii) provide information regarding accessibility for
individuals with disabilities, as well as related training
and staff development, to Members of Congress and employees
of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
``(B) United states capitol complex defined.--In this
paragraph, 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).
``(b) Director of Accessibility Services.--
``(1) Appointment, pay, and removal.--
``(A) Appointment and pay.--The Director of Accessibility
Services shall be appointed by the Congressional
Accessibility Services Board and shall be paid at a rate of
pay determined by the Congressional Accessibility Services
Board.
``(B) Removal.--Upon removal of the Director of
Accessibility Services, the Congressional Accessibility
Services Board shall immediately provide notice of the
removal to the Committee on Rules and Administration of the
Senate, the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and Senate. The notice shall include
the reasons for the removal.
``(2) Personnel and other administrative functions.--
``(A) Personnel, disbursements, and contracts.--In carrying
out the functions of the Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services under subsection (a), the Director of
Accessibility Services shall have the authority to--
``(i) appoint, hire, and fix the compensation of such
personnel as may be necessary for operations of the Office of
Congressional Accessibility Services, except that no employee
may be paid at an annual rate in excess of the annual rate of
pay for the Director of Accessibility Services;
``(ii) take appropriate disciplinary action, including,
when circumstances warrant, suspension from duty without pay,
reduction in pay, demotion, or termination of employment with
the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services, against
any employee;
``(iii) disburse funds as may be necessary and available
for the needs of the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services; and
``(iv) serve as contracting officer for the Office of
Congressional Accessibility Services.
``(B) Agreements with the office of the architect of the
capitol, with other legislative branch agencies, and with
offices of the senate and house of representatives.--Subject
to the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of
the House of Representatives, 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
procuring goods and providing financial and administrative
services on behalf of the Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services, or to otherwise assist the Director
in the administration and management of the Office of
Congressional Accessibility Services.
``(3) Semiannual reports.--The Director of Accessibility
Services shall submit a report to the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives not later than
45 days following the close of each semiannual period ending
on March 31 or September 30 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 operations, the implementation of new policies and
procedures, and future plans for each function.''.
(b) Specific Functions.--The Director of Accessibility
Services shall submit to the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives a list of the
specific functions that the Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services will perform in carrying out this
subtitle with the approval of the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives. The Director
of Accessibility Services shall submit the list not later
than 30 days after the transfer date.
(c) Transition for Current Director.--The individual who
serves as the head of the Congressional Special Services
Office as of the date of the enactment of this Act shall be
the first Director of Accessibility Services appointed by the
Congressional Accessibility Services Board under section 310
of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1990 (2 U.S.C.
130e) (as amended by this section).

SEC. 412. TRANSFER FROM CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE.

(a) Transfer of Authorities and Personnel of Congressional
Special Services Office of Capitol Guide Service.--In
accordance with the provisions of this title, effective on
the transfer date--
(1) the contracts, liabilities, records, property,
appropriations, and other assets and interests of the
Congressional Special Services Office of the Capitol Guide
Service, and the employees of such Office, are transferred to
the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services
established under section 310(a) of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 1990 (2 U.S.C. 130e) (as amended by
section 411 of this Act), except that the transfer of any
amounts appropriated to the Congressional Special Services
Office that remain available as of the transfer date shall
occur only upon the approval of the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate;
and
(2) the employees of such Office shall be subject to the
direction, supervision, and control of the Director of
Accessibility Services.
(b) Treatment of Employees at Time of Transfer.--
(1) In general.--Any individual who is an employee of the
Congressional Special Services Office of the Capitol Guide
Service on a non-temporary basis on the transfer date who is
transferred under subsection (a) shall be subject to the
authority of the Director of Accessibility Services under
section 310(b) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act,
1990 (2 U.S.C. 130e) (as amended by section 411 of this Act),
except that the individual's grade, compensation, rate of
leave, or other benefits that apply with respect to the
individual at the time of transfer shall not be reduced while
such individual remains continuously so employed in the same
position within the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services established under section 310(a) of the Legislative
Branch Appropriations Act, 1990 (2 U.S.C. 130e) (as amended
by section 411 of this Act), other than for cause.
(2) Eligibility for immediate retirement on basis of
involuntary separation.--For purposes of section 8336(d) and
section 8414(b) of title 5, United States Code, an individual
described in paragraph (1) who is separated

[[Page S10015]]

from service with the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services 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) Prohibiting imposition of probationary 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 Accessibility
Services under subsection (a).

Subtitle C--Transfer Date and Technical and Conforming Amendments

SEC. 421. TRANSFER DATE.

In this title, the term ``transfer date'' means the date
occurring on the first day of the first pay period
(applicable to employees transferred under section 401)
occurring on or after 30 days after the date of enactment of
this Act.

SEC. 422. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

(a) Existing Authority of Capitol Guide Service.--Section
441 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (2 U.S.C.
2166) is repealed.
(b) Coverage Under Congressional Accountability Act of
1995.--
(1) Treatment of employees as covered employees.--Section
101(3)(C) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2
U.S.C. 1301(3)(C)) is amended to read as follows:
``(C) the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services;''.
(2) Treatment of office as employing office.--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 Congressional 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
Accessibility 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.

TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 501. JURISDICTIONS UNAFFECTED.

(a) Security Jurisdiction Unaffected.--Nothing in this Act
granting any authority to the Architect of the Capitol or
Chief Executive Officer shall be construed to affect the
exclusive jurisdiction of the 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,
including the Capitol Visitor Center.
(b) Architect of the Capitol Jurisdiction Unaffected.--
(1) In general.--Nothing in this Act granting any authority
to the Chief Executive Officer shall be construed to affect
the exclusive jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol
for the care and superintendence of the Capitol Visitor
Center. All maintenance services, groundskeeping services,
improvements, alterations, additions, and repairs for the
Capitol Visitor Center shall be made under the direction and
supervision of the Architect, subject to the approval of the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the
House Office Building Commission as to matters of general
policy.
(2) Technical and conforming amendment.--Section 1305 of
the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008 (2 U.S.C.
1825) is repealed.

SEC. 502. STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT AUTHORITY.

Section 5379(a)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by inserting ``, the Architect of the Capitol, the
Botanic Garden, and the Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services'' after ``title''.

SEC. 503. ACCEPTANCE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES.

Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States
Code, the Architect of the Capitol, upon the recommendation
of the Chief Executive Officer, may accept and use voluntary
and uncompensated services for the Capitol Visitor Center as
the Architect of the Capitol determines necessary. No person
shall be permitted to donate 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 services, other than a claim
under the provisions of chapter 81 of title 5, United States
Code. No person donating personal 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 employee of the Office of the Architect
of the Capitol.

SEC. 504. COINS TREATED AS GIFTS.

(a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``covered
grounds'' means--
(1) the grounds described under section 5102 of title 40,
United States Code;
(2) the Capitol Buildings defined under section 5101 of
title 40, United States Code, including the Capitol Visitor
Center; and
(3) the Library of Congress buildings and grounds described
under section 11 of the Act entitled ``An Act relating to the
policing of the buildings and grounds of the Library of
Congress'', approved August 4, 1950 (2 U.S.C. 167j).
(b) Treatment of Coins.--In the case of any coins in any
fountains on covered grounds--
(1) such coins shall be treated as gifts to the United
States; and
(2) the Architect of the Capitol shall--
(A) collect such coins at such times and in such manner as
the Architect determines appropriate; and
(B) except as provided under subsection (c), deposit the
collected coins in accordance with subsection (d).
(c) Cost Reimbursement.--Any amount collected under this
section shall first be used to reimburse the Architect of the
Capitol for any costs incurred in the collection and
processing of the coins. The amount of any such reimbursement
is appropriated to the account from which such costs were
paid and may be used for any authorized purpose of that
account.
(d) Deposit of Coins.--The Architect of the Capitol shall
deposit coins collected under this section in the
Miscellaneous Receipts Account of the Capitol Visitor Center
Revolving Fund established under section 301.
(e) Authorized Use and Availability.--Amounts deposited in
the Miscellaneous Receipts Account of the Capitol Visitor
Center Revolving Fund under this section shall be available
as provided under section 303(b).

SEC. 505. FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE PILOT PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--Section 1302 of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 2008 (2 U.S.C. 1831 note; 121 Stat. 2242)
is amended in the third sentence by striking ``September 30,
2008'' and inserting ``September 30, 2010''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made under subsection
(a) shall take effect as though enacted as part of the
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-
161; 121 Stat. 2218 et seq.).

TITLE VI--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 601. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are
necessary to carry out this Act.
______

SA 5675. Ms. LANDRIEU (for Mr. Nelson of Florida (for himself and Mr.
Inhofe)) proposed an amendment to the resolution S. Res. 660,
condemning ongoing sales of arms to belligerents in Sudan, including
the Government of Sudan, and calling for both a cessation of such sales
and an expansion of the United Nations embargo on arms sales to Sudan;
as follows:

Strike paragraphs (3) through (5) of the resolving clause
and insert the following:
(3) in light of the well-documented existence of arms in
Darfur that were transferred from China and Russia and the
insistence of the Government of Sudan that it will not abide
by the embargo, all United Nations member states should
immediately cease all arms sales to the Government of Sudan;
and
(4) the United States Permanent Representative to the
United Nations should use the voice and vote of the United
States in the United Nations Security Council to seek an
appropriate expansion of the arms embargo imposed by Security
Council Resolutions 1556 and 1591.
______

SA 5676. Mr. COBURN (for himself and Mr. DeMint) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 2638, making
appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes; which was
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

Strike section 8006.
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
Sec. __. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by
this Act may be available for any Congressionally directed
spending item including projects listed in the tables titled
``Explanation of Project Level Adjustments'' in the
explanatory statement described in section 4: Provided, That
the amount made available for all corresponding programs,
projects, and activities in such tables is rescinded, and the
corresponding amounts be returned to the Treasury for debt
reduction.
______

SA 5677. Mr. REID proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 2095, to
amend title 49, United States Code, to prevent railroad fatalities, and
hazardous materials releases, to authorize the Federal Railroad Safety
Administration, and for other purposes; as follows:

[[Page S10016]]

At the end, insert the following:
The provisions of this Act shall become effective in 2 days
after enactment.
______

SA 5678. Mr. REID submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to
amendment SA 5677 proposed by Mr. Reid to the bill H.R. 2095, to amend
title 49, United States Code, to prevent railroad fatalities, injuries,
and hazardous materials releases, to authorize the Federal Railroad
Safety Administration, and for other purposes; as follows:

In the amendment, strike ``2'' and insert ``1.''

____________________