Overview
Title
To direct the Administrator of General Services to identify two Federal agencies to consolidate into the GSA Headquarters Building, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The MOVE Act of 2023 wants to put two government offices into one big building to use the space better. If this doesn't happen after three years, the building might be sold, and the money will help fund other building projects.
Summary AI
H.R. 6278, also known as the "Maximizing Office Value and Efficiency Act of 2023" or the "MOVE Act of 2023," instructs the Administrator of General Services to identify and consolidate two Federal agencies into the GSA Headquarters Building. The goal is to enhance building utilization to at least 60%. If the plan for consolidation is not implemented within three years, the GSA personnel will move to another federally-owned building, and the current GSA Headquarters will be prepared for sale. Proceeds from any sales will be added to the Federal Buildings Fund for future use.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed legislation, known as the "Maximizing Office Value and Efficiency Act of 2023" or the "MOVE Act of 2023," aims to optimize the use of federal office buildings by directing the consolidation of government agencies. The bill mandates the Administrator of General Services to identify two federal agencies to consolidate into the existing General Services Administration (GSA) Headquarters Building. By consolidating agencies, the bill seeks to achieve more efficient use of space, specifically targeting a building utilization rate of at least 60%.
If this consolidation effort proves unsuccessful within a specified timeframe, an alternative plan involves relocating GSA personnel to another federal building and subsequently selling the current headquarters. Proceeds from such sales are intended to be funneled back into the Federal Buildings Fund for future appropriations.
Summary of Significant Issues
One noteworthy issue is the aggressive timeline set by the bill, requiring the identification and initial consolidation actions to be completed within one year and a full implementation within three years. This rapid pace might lead to rushed decisions and potential disruptions to the agencies involved. Another point of concern is the criterion used for selecting agencies for consolidation, which focuses on those using 9% or less of their capacity. This could unfairly impact certain agencies, potentially hindering their operations without a thoroughly justified rationale.
Moreover, the bill does not clearly outline the methods for evaluating "fair market value at highest and best use" when selling public buildings. This lack of specificity raises concerns about mismanagement or undervaluation of properties. Additionally, the clause about an alternative plan provides minimal accountability, increasing the risk of inefficient relocations that may not serve the best interests of the involved personnel or the government as a whole.
The use of proceeds from building sales is another point of ambiguity, as the term "specific future appropriation" lacks clarity. This could result in unpredictable or inefficient allocation of funds.
Impact on the Public and Specific Stakeholders
Broadly, the bill intends to bring about more efficient use of federal resources and potentially reduce government spending on underutilized properties. For taxpayers, this could translate into a more streamlined and cost-effective government operation. However, the aggressive timelines and criteria for consolidation might lead to unintended consequences, such as disruptions in agency services that could affect public access to governmental support and resources.
Specific stakeholders, such as the employees of agencies identified for consolidation, could experience disruptions or uncertainties regarding their daily work environment. Such transitions, if not carefully executed, could lead to decreased morale and productivity. Meanwhile, the potential sale of historic or strategically located buildings could impact local communities and real estate markets, depending on how these properties are repurposed once vacated.
In conclusion, while the MOVE Act of 2023 aims to optimize federal office space usage and potentially reduce expenditure, careful consideration of its timelines, selection criteria, and financial implications is crucial to ensure that the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks. Proper implementation and transparent processes will be key to minimizing negative impacts on federal employees and the broader public.
Issues
The timeline for identifying and consolidating federal agencies into the GSA Headquarters Building (Section 2(a)) may be overly aggressive, potentially leading to inefficient implementation and disruption to agency operations.
The consideration of federal agencies that use 9% or less of headquarters capacity for consolidation (Section 2(a)(3)) could unfairly target specific agencies without justifiable reasons, potentially affecting their functionality.
The lack of clear criteria for determining 'fair market value at highest and best use' in the sale of public buildings (Section 2(d)) raises concerns over possible undervaluation or mismanagement of public assets.
The provision for an alternative plan with little accountability or criteria (Section 2(c)) may result in moving GSA personnel without ensuring this is indeed the best course of action, potentially leading to inefficiencies and loss of synergy.
The term 'specific future appropriation' (Section 2(d)(3)) lacks precision, leaving ambiguity over how net proceeds from sales will be allocated or prioritized, which might lead to inappropriate or wasteful financial practices.
The short title section (Section 1) is too brief and lacks detail, providing no substantial language that could be analyzed for issues related to spending, accountability, or any potential favoring of certain parties.
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 the bill gives the official title of the legislation, which can be referred to as the "Maximizing Office Value and Efficiency Act of 2023" or simply the "MOVE Act of 2023".
2. Public building consolidation and sale Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill outlines a plan for consolidating federal agencies into the GSA Headquarters Building to improve space utilization, with a goal of achieving 60% building utilization. If consolidation is unsuccessful after three years, the GSA Headquarters Building will be sold. Additionally, any public buildings vacated due to this plan will be sold at fair market value, with proceeds going into the Federal Buildings Fund.