USE IT Act of 2023

3/19/2024, 4:50 PM

Utilizing Space Efficiently and Improving Technologies Act of 2023 or USE IT Act of 2023

This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish standard methodologies and identify technologies to measure federal building utilization and to use both to evaluate and consolidate public buildings and federally leased space. Federal agencies must (1) work with GSA to use sensors and other technologies in public buildings to measure occupancy, and (2) report on actual space utilization.

OMB and GSA must annually ensure building utilization averages at least 60% in each public building and federally leased space over each 1-year period. The bill also requires OMB and GSA to submit a plan to Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to consolidate federal agency headquarters buildings in the National Capital region so that building utilization exceeds 60%.

Occupancy agreements between federal tenants and the GSA shall stipulate annual reporting to GSA on space utilization and occupancy. Federal tenants must return office space to GSA if the occupancy of the tenant falls below a 60% space utilization rate for six months within any 1-year period. Agencies with independent leasing authorities must report space utilization and occupancy annually to Congress.

The GAO shall report on agency costs and occupancy rates for public or federally leased buildings.

Agencies must report certain buildings with utilization rates below 20% to the agency's inspector general for investigation.

Congress
118

Number
HR - 6276

Introduced on
2023-11-07

# Amendments
7

Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

3/14/2024

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
Failed in House
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Utilizing Space Efficiently and Improving Technologies Act of 2023 or USE IT Act of 2023

This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish standard methodologies and identify technologies to measure federal building utilization and to use both to evaluate and consolidate public buildings and federally leased space. Federal agencies must (1) work with GSA to use sensors and other technologies in public buildings to measure occupancy, and (2) report on actual space utilization.

OMB and GSA must annually ensure building utilization averages at least 60% in each public building and federally leased space over each 1-year period. The bill also requires OMB and GSA to submit a plan to Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to consolidate federal agency headquarters buildings in the National Capital region so that building utilization exceeds 60%.

Occupancy agreements between federal tenants and the GSA shall stipulate annual reporting to GSA on space utilization and occupancy. Federal tenants must return office space to GSA if the occupancy of the tenant falls below a 60% space utilization rate for six months within any 1-year period. Agencies with independent leasing authorities must report space utilization and occupancy annually to Congress.

The GAO shall report on agency costs and occupancy rates for public or federally leased buildings.

Agencies must report certain buildings with utilization rates below 20% to the agency's inspector general for investigation.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo direct the Administrator of General Services and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to identify the utilization rate of certain public buildings and federally-leased space, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact
Computers and information technology•
Congressional oversight•
Government buildings, facilities, and property

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary3/18/2024

Utilizing Space Efficiently and Improving Technologies Act of 2023 or USE IT Act of 2023

This bill...


Latest Action3/14/2024
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.