Overview
Title
To require certain data collection and reporting on space utilization, occupancy, and availability of office space leased by an Executive agency.
ELI5 AI
The FULL Act is like a new rule for some government offices, telling them to keep track of how much space they really need and use. If they have too much empty space for a long time, they need to think about giving it back, but special secret offices don't have to follow this rule.
Summary AI
H.R. 6241, also known as the "Federal Use it or Lose it Leases Act" or "FULL Act," aims to improve the management of office space leased by executive agencies of the federal government. It mandates that agreements between these agencies and the General Services Administration include annual reports on office space utilization, occupancy, and other related data. If a federal tenant's space utilization rate drops below 60% for six consecutive months, they must have procedures to potentially return unused space. The act applies to new or updated occupancy agreements made at least six months after the legislation is enacted, with exemptions for properties used by the intelligence community.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The bill titled "Federal Use it or Lose it Leases Act" (FULL Act) aims to improve the management of office space leased by executive agencies of the United States government. The primary focus is on collecting and reporting data regarding the utilization, occupancy, and availability of these office spaces. It mandates that agreements include specific reporting requirements for federal tenants on their space usage. The bill also outlines that if the use of space falls below a certain threshold, agencies are required to have written procedures to return the unused space. Additionally, the legislation necessitates similar reporting from agencies with independent leasing powers. However, properties used by the intelligence community are exempt from these requirements.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several issues arise from the bill's provisions. One major concern is the complex definition of "Federal tenant" which excludes the intelligence community, potentially causing confusion without additional context. The term "capacity" is ambiguously defined, leading to potential misunderstandings about how space usage should be calculated. There are also concerns about strategic manipulation by agencies to avoid returning unused space, as stipulations might allow for variation in utilization patterns just below the legislative threshold.
For agencies with independent leasing authority, the bill lacks clear mechanisms for oversight and enforcement, creating a risk of incomplete or non-compliant data submissions. The exemption for properties related to the intelligence community is notably broad and unspecified, which could result in unaccounted or unchecked resource usage.
Impact on the Public
The public might benefit from this bill through more efficient use of government resources. By requiring federal agencies to report and justify their occupancy and utilization of leased space, the bill aims to reduce unnecessary expenditures and optimize space management. The potential for increased government transparency and accountability in space utilization could foster public trust.
However, if the bill leads to significant administrative burden without clear benefits, it might be perceived as an unnecessary bureaucratic layer. The broad exemptions and potential for non-compliance might weaken public perception of the bill’s intended efficiency.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Federal Agencies: Agencies might face increased administrative duties to comply with reporting requirements. While this could heighten awareness and better management of office space, it also could strain agency resources, especially if exact compliance processes are not fully defined.
General Services Administration (GSA): This agency may see an increased workload in managing and ensuring compliance with the office space agreements. While the goal is to promote efficient use, it could also require the development of complex administrative and oversight mechanisms.
Intelligence Community: The broad exemption for properties used by intelligence elements means that these agencies are not subject to the same reporting requirements, which some might argue is essential due to national security considerations. However, this exemption could also be criticized for lacking transparency.
The FULL Act presents a well-intentioned step towards more accountable and efficient use of leased federal office space, but its efficacy will depend greatly on the clarity and enforcement of its provisions, and the balance between transparency and administrative burden.
Issues
The definition of 'Federal tenant' in Section 2 is complex due to its multiple components, such as the exclusion of the intelligence community, which requires external knowledge and could lead to confusion.
The ambiguity in the term 'capacity' in Section 2 as it only specifies square feet in its calculation may be confusing, potentially leading to misinterpretation of space requirements.
Section 3's requirement that Federal tenants report space utilization and have procedures for returning office space if utilization is low could lead to strategic manipulation by agencies to avoid returning space.
Section 4 fails to specify oversight or enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with reporting requirements, leading to potential non-compliance and incomplete data submissions.
The exception in Section 5 for properties used by the intelligence community is very broad and lacks specificity, raising concerns about unaccounted resource use.
The term 'actual utilization' used in several sections is not clearly defined, leading to potential inconsistencies in reporting and interpretation of data.
Section 6's lack of a clear definition for 'novation agreement' may lead to misinterpretation among readers without a legal or contractual background.
The broad exemption for the intelligence community in Section 5 does not define which properties qualify, potentially allowing for expansive interpretation.
The lack of clear definition for 'independent leasing authorities' in Section 4 could lead to ambiguity about which agencies are affected by the requirements, causing inconsistent application.
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. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this bill establishes the short title of the law, which can be called the "Federal Use it or Lose it Leases Act" or the "FULL Act".
2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides definitions for key terms used in the Act, including "actual utilization," which is the percentage of space capacity utilized, and "capacity," which is calculated by dividing office space square footage by 150. It also defines a "Federal tenant" as an executive agency with a lease agreement for office space excluding intelligence agencies, while "occupancy" refers to the number of employees working in-person at least five days a week. Other terms explained are "Executive agency," "intelligence community," and "space utilization rate."
3. Reporting of space utilization and occupancy data for office space Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section explains that an agreement for office space between the General Services Administrator and a federal tenant must include a requirement for the tenant to submit annual reports on the occupancy and use of the space. It also requires the tenant to have procedures to return space if their usage falls below 60% for six months in a year.
4. Requirements for Federal agencies with independent leasing authorities Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Agencies with the power to lease office spaces independently must submit yearly reports to specific congressional committees. These reports need to include information about how the office space is used, how often it is occupied, and any other data Congress finds important.
5. Exceptions to reporting and occupancy agreement requirements Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section states that the rules in this Act about reporting and occupancy agreements do not apply to properties used by intelligence agencies.
6. Applicability Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The requirements of this Act will affect occupancy or novation agreements that are made starting six months after the Act becomes law.