H.R. 5159 would 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.

== Detailed Summary ==

<summary>
<b>(This measure has not been amended since it was reported topassed by the HouseSenate on March 3,September 27, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</b>

Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008 - <b>Title I: Administration and Management of Capitol Visitor Center</b> - (Sec. 102) Grants authority to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration (supervising Committees) to exercise policy review and oversight over101) Designates the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC).(CVC), and makes it part of the U.S. Capitol.

(Sec. 103) Declares that certain &quot;unassigned&quot; expansion spaceRequires the CVC to be used to: (1) provide enhanced security for persons working in or visiting the SenateU.S. Capitol; and (2) improve the House of Representatives shall not be treated as part ofvisitor experience by providing a structure that will afford improved visitor orientation and enhance the CVC, but shall be treated as partseducational experience of those who have come to learn about the SenateCongress and House wings of the Capitol.

Requires thatGrants authority to the Congressional Auditorium inSenate Committee on Rules and Administration and the CVC, together with other specified CVC areas, be assigned for congressional use byHouse Committee on House Administration (Committees) to exercise oversight over the Chief Executive Officer forCapitol Visitor Services (CEO) under guidelines established by the supervising Committees.Center (CVC).



(Sec. 111) Establishes withinDeclares that certain &quot;unassigned&quot; expansion space for the Office ofSenate and the ArchitectHouse of Representatives shall be treated as parts of the Capitol (AOC) the OfficeSenate and House wings of the CVC, headed by the CEO.Capitol.

(Sec. 112) RequiresRequires the AOCCommittees to appointjointly prescribe regulations for the CEO, who shall report directly to the AOC and be subject to policy reviewCVC's Congressional Auditorium and oversight by the supervising Committees.related adjacent areas.

Declares thatAuthorizes the individual who serves as the CEO under the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriation Act of 2007 (the Act of 2007), asArchitect of the enactment of this Act, shall be the first appointed CEO of the Office ofCapitol (AOC) to enter into loan agreements to place historical objects for display in the CVC.CVC's Exhibition Hall.





Limits to $250,000(Sec. 102) Prohibits the amountdesignation and naming of parts of any contract the CEO may enter intoCVC without priorthe approval of at least three-fourths of all Democratic and three-fourths of all Republican party members on the supervising Committees.Capitol Preservation Commission (Commission).

(Sec. 114) Authorizes103) Prohibits the CEO, with approvaluse of the Emancipation Hall of the supervising Committees, to accept and use on CVC behalf unrestricted giftsfor any event, except upon the passage of money as well as voluntary and uncompensated services. a resolution agreed to by Congress authorizing such use.<br>

<b>Title II: Office of the Capitol Visitor Center - </b> (Sec. 201) Establishes within the Office of the AOC the Office of the CVC, headed by the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services (CEO).

(Sec. 115) Specifies certain CEO administrative rules regarding: (1) security; (2) care202) Requires the AOC to appoint the CEO, who shall report directly to the AOC and maintenance of facilities; and (3) exhibits and tours.be subject to oversight by the Committees.

<b>Title II: Related Services Provided at Capitol Visitor Center</b> - (Sec. 201) RequiresDeclares that the individual who serves as the CEO to establish withinunder the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriation Act of 2007, as of the enactment of this Act, shall be the first appointed CEO of the Office of the CVC a gift shop.CVC.

(Sec. 202) Authorizes the CEO203) Limits to establish within$250,000 the CVC a restaurant and other food service facilities, including catering services and vending machines (underamount of any contract with a private vendor).the AOC may enter into for CVC operations without prior approval of the Committees.

(Sec. 204) Requires the AOC to appoint an Assistant CEO for Visitor Services.

(Sec. 203) AuthorizesDeclares the CEO, subject toindividual serving as the supervisory Committees' approval,assistant under the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008, as of the enactment of this Act, to enter into licenses and other agreementsbe the first appointed Assistant CEO for CVC operations and functions, and assess and collect appropriate charges.Visitor Services.

(Sec. 205) Requires the AOC, acting through the CEO, to establish a Capitol Visitor Center Gift Shop. Requires deposit of all moneys received from Gift Shop sales and other services to be deposited in the Capitol Visitor Center Revolving Fund established under this Act.

Requires that events(Sec. 206) Requires the AOC, acting through the CEO, to be held inestablish within the CVC central hall be authorized by a resolution agreed to by both chambers, unless they: (1) provide enhanced security for persons working in or visiting the U.S. Capitol;restaurant and (2) improve the visitor experience in specified ways.other food service facilities, including catering services and vending machines.

(Sec. 211) Establishes in the Treasury the Capitol Visitor Center Revolving Fund, consisting of the Gift Shop Account and the Miscellaneous Receipts Account.

<b>Title III: Treatment of Capitol Guide Service - Subtitle A: Transfer to the Office of the Capitol Visitor Center - </b>(Sec. 301) Transfers the authorities and personnel of the Capitol Guide Service (CGS) to the Office of the CVC.



<b>Title III: Capitol Visitor Center Revolving Fund</b> - (Sec. 301) Establishes in the Treasury the Capitol Visitor Center Revolving Fund, consisting of the Gift Shop Account and the Miscellaneous Receipts Account.

<b>Title IV: Capitol Guide Service and Office of Congressional Accessibility Services - Subtitle A: Capitol Guide Service - </b>(Sec. 401) Transfers the authorities and personnel of the Capitol Guide Service (CGS) to the Office of the CVC.

Declares that the transfer of CGS personnel shall not cause a reduction in the individual's current grade, compensation, rate of leave, or other benefit while such employee remains continuously employed as a Capitol Guide within the Office, other than for cause.

Makes a transferred individual eligible for immediate retirement on the basis of involuntary separation under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) if the individual has completed: (1) 25 years of service; or (2) 20 years of service and is 50 years of age or older.

Allows aExcludes from application of this section any employee, contracts, liabilities, records, property, appropriations, and other assets of the Congressional Special Services Office of the Capitol Guide Service transferred individual to continue participating in the student loan repayment program for Senate employees. Office of Congressional Accessibility Services under subtitle B.

Prohibits the CEO from imposing a probationary period on a transferred individual.(Sec. 402) Prescribes general rules for CGS employees.

ExcludesRequires the AOC to detail CGS personnel, based on a request from application of this section any employee, contracts, liabilities, records, property,the Capitol Police Board, to assist the U.S. Capitol Police by providing ushering and informational services, and other assetsservices not directly involving law enforcement, in connection with: (1) the inauguration of the Congressional Special Services OfficePresident and Vice President of the United States; (2) the official reception of representatives of foreign nations and other persons by the Senate or the House; or (3) other special or ceremonial occasions in the U.S. Capitol Guide Service transferred toor on its grounds that require the presence of additional government personnel, and cause the temporary suspension of the Officeperformance of Congressional Accessibility under subtitle B. regular duties.<br>

(Sec. 302) Prescribes general rules for CGS employees.<b>Subtitle B: Office of Congressional Accessibility Services</b> - (Sec. 411) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1990, to establish in the legislative branch the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services, headed by the Director of Accessibility Services, who shall be appointed by, and subject to the direction of, the Congressional Accessibility Services Board, established by the Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008.

Requires such Office to: (1) provide and coordinate accessibility services for individuals with disabilities, including Members of Congress, congressional officers and employees, and U.S. Capitol Complex visitors; and (2) provide information regarding accessibility for individuals with disabilities, as well as related training and staff development, to Members of Congress and congressional employees.

<b>Subtitle B: Office of Congressional Accessibility Services</b> - (Sec. 311) Establishes inDeclares that the legislative branchindividual who serves as the Officehead of the Congressional Accessibility Services, headed bySpecial Services Office as of the Directorenactment of Accessibility Services, whothis Act shall be the first Director of such Office appointed and supervised by the Capitol Police Board.Board under the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1990.

Requires such Office to: (1) provide and coordinate accessibility services for individuals with disabilities, including Members of Congress, House and Senate employees, and U.S. Capitol Complex visitors; and (2) provide information regarding accessibility for individuals with disabilities, as well as related training and staff development, to Members of Congress and House and Senate employees.



(Sec. 313)(Sec. 412) Transfers the authorities and personnel of the Congressional Special Services Office of the CGS to such Office.



Declares that the transfer of such personnel shall not cause a reduction in the individual's current grade, compensation, rate of leave, or other benefit while such employee remains continuously employed within the Office, other than for cause.

Makes a transferred individual eligible for immediate retirement on the basis of involuntary separation under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) if the individual has completed: (1) 25 years of service; or (2) 20 years of service and is 50 years of age or older.

Prohibits the Director from imposing a probationary period on a transferred individual.

<b>Subtitle C: Transfer Date and Technical and Conforming Amendments</b> - (Sec. 321)421) Declares that &quot;transfer date&quot; 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 enactment of this Act.

(Sec. 422) Repeals the existing authority of the CGS under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970.

Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and related law.

<b>Subtitle D: Transfer Date</b><b>Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions</b> - (Sec. 331)501) Declares that &quot;transfer date&quot; means the date on whichnothing in this Act granting any authority to the AOC or CEO certifiesshall 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 CVC.

Declares that a certificatenothing in this Act granting any authority to the CEO shall be construed to affect the exclusive jurisdiction of occupancythe AOC for the CVC's care and superintendence.

Requires all CVC has been issuedmaintenance services, groundskeeping services, improvements, alterations, additions, and repairs to be made under the direction and supervision of the AOC, subject to the approval of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Office Building Commission as to matters of general policy.



(Sec. 502) Grants authority to the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services to establish a program under which it may agree to repay (by direct payments on behalf of its employee) any student loan previously taken out by such employee.

(Sec. 503) Authorizes the AOC, upon the CEO's recommendation, to accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services for the CVC.



(Sec. 504) Treats coins in any fountains on covered grounds of the Capitol Complex as gifts to the United States.

Requires the AOC to collect such coins and deposit any of them remaining, after deduction for the expense of collecting and processing them, in the Miscellaneous Receipts Account of the Fund.

(Sec. 505) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008 to extend through FY2010 AOC authority to establish and conduct a pilot program to test flexible work schedules within the Office of the AOC and the appropriate authorities.Botanic Garden.

<b>Title IV: General Provisions</b>VI: Authorization of Appropriations</b> - (Sec. 401)601) Authorizes appropriations.
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== Status of the Legislation ==

<status>
Latest Major Action: 10/2/2008: Resolving differences -- House actions. Status: On motion that the House agree10/9/2008: Presented to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.President.
</status>

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== Points in Favor ==

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== Points Against ==

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