Overview
Title
An Act To direct the Administrator of General Services to sell the property known as the Webster School.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants a government worker to sell an old school building in Washington, D.C., and the money from selling it can only be used later if the government agrees.
Summary AI
H.R. 4688 is a proposed bill that directs the Administrator of General Services to sell a property, known as the Webster School, located at 940 H Street Northwest in Washington, D.C. The Administrator must either dispose of the property using federal guidelines or sell it at fair market value by December 31, 2025. Any money made from the sale will be deposited into the Federal Buildings Fund and can only be used with future government approval.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The bill H.R. 4688, titled "An Act to direct the Administrator of General Services to sell the property known as the Webster School," seeks to authorize the sale of the Webster School property located in Washington, D.C. The bill directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell this property by December 31, 2025, and to ensure the sale is conducted at fair market value and for the highest and best use. The proceeds from the sale are to be deposited into the Federal Buildings Fund and can only be used following a specific future appropriation.
Significant Issues
One of the primary issues with the bill is the lack of clear criteria for determining the "fair market value" and "highest and best use" of the property. This absence of detailed guidelines could lead to disagreements or inconsistencies in the sale process.
Additionally, the bill doesn't offer clarity on the determination of feasibility for the disposal of the property, which could result in rushed decision-making. The absence of mention about public or competitive bidding processes further raises concerns about the transparency of the sale, potentially inviting criticisms of favoritism or insider dealings.
The bill also vaguely outlines the use of proceeds, stating they may only be used following a "specific future appropriation" without detailing what that might encompass. Finally, the reliance on legal cross-references can make the bill challenging to interpret for those not well-versed in legal terminology, possibly limiting public and stakeholder engagement.
Impact on the Public
Broadly speaking, the sale of the Webster School property could affect the local community in several ways. If the property is sold below its actual value or not put to the highest and best use, there might be missed opportunities for community development or enhancement in the area. A well-managed sale, however, might bring new investments or beneficial projects that could enhance the neighborhood.
Impact on Stakeholders
For stakeholders directly involved in the process, such as potential buyers or developers, the lack of transparency and absence of defined procedures could inhibit fair competition or lead to a perception of unfairness. Community members might also feel excluded if the property's sale doesn't involve public consultation or if they perceive the process as unfairly benefiting a select group.
On the positive side, if managed transparently and effectively, the sale could lead to substantial improvements or developments that offer economic benefits, such as job creation or urban renewal projects. For the Treasury or relevant federal funds, this could mean enhanced financial resources if the proceeds are effectively managed and appropriated. However, uncertainties related to the appropriation could lead to inefficiencies or misuse of these funds, stirring broader accountability concerns.
Overall, while the bill aims to streamline the sale of a public property, its lack of precise directives and the complexity involved poses significant challenges that could impact various stakeholders in different ways.
Issues
The section referring to the determination of 'fair market value' and 'highest and best use' lacks detail and transparency, which may lead to inconsistent or inequitable outcomes in the sale process, as noted in SECTION 1(a). This issue is crucial due to potential financial and ethical implications.
The directive to sell the property by December 31, 2025, does not provide clear criteria for determining the feasibility of disposal according to subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code, which can cause ambiguity and possibly result in hasty decisions affecting the real value and public interest (SECTION 1(a)).
The section does not mention any public or competitive bidding processes for the sale of the property, potentially raising concerns over transparency and favoritism, which can lead to political and public trust issues (SECTION 1).
The process of determining and conducting a survey to establish the best use of the property is unclear, leading to potential lack of credibility and fairness in sale conditions. This can affect public perception and ethical considerations (SECTION 1(b)).
The future appropriation of net proceeds is vaguely stated, specifying that they can only be expended under a specific future appropriation without detailed conditions or criteria. This vagueness raises concerns about financial accountability and transparency (SECTION 1(c)).
The bill relies heavily on cross-references to other titles and sections of the United States Code, which can make it difficult for those unfamiliar with legal codes to understand the bill. This complexity might exclude public discourse and raise political or legal concerns about accessibility and comprehension (SECTION 1(a)(2), SECTION 1(c)(1)).
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Sale of Webster School Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill requires the General Services Administration to sell the Webster School property in Washington, D.C. by the end of 2025 at its fair market value. The money from the sale will go into a government fund, and it can only be used in the future once it has been specifically approved.
1. Sale of Webster School Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines that by December 31, 2025, the Administrator of General Services must either dispose of or sell the Webster School property in Washington, D.C., based on viability, and any net proceeds from the sale will be added to the Federal Buildings Fund and can only be used through a future specific appropriation.