No Palaces Act

Summary#

This bill amends title 40, United States Code, to add approval and review rules for building or site improvements to the White House and its grounds. It requires the Executive Office of the President or a Federal agency acting for the Executive Office to complete the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) concept review and obtain NCPC approval before carrying out such improvements. The bill also adds a required consultation before initiating demolition of an existing structure.

After NCPC approval, Congress has a 60-day "consideration period" (excluding long adjournments) during which Members may introduce a specific joint resolution of disapproval. The bill sets out expedited procedures for both Houses to consider such a joint resolution, including special referral, discharge, debate limits in the Senate, and a requirement for a final vote following debate.

The bill bars the use of private funds for an approved improvement unless Congress explicitly authorizes that private funding. Any use of Federal funds for the improvement must comply with section 1301 of title 31.

The bill creates a right for several named parties—including the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the Commission of Fine Arts, the NCPC, their members, either House of Congress, or a Member of either House—to sue in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before a three-judge panel to seek injunctive relief for violations. Appeals may be taken to the Supreme Court. The bill requires expedited handling of these cases and sets deadlines: the district court should issue a decision within 30 days of filing; notices of appeal must be filed within 10 days; appeals should be heard within 45 days and decided within 90 days, subject to possible modification by the courts in the interests of justice.

What it means for you#

• If you propose or work on changes to the White House or its grounds, you must complete NCPC concept review and get NCPC approval before doing the work.
• Congress can try to stop an NCPC-approved improvement by introducing a specific joint resolution within 60 days. The bill sets fast procedures for Congress to act.
• Private money cannot be used for such improvements unless Congress says it is allowed. Federal money used must meet statutory requirements in title 31, section 1301.
• Certain named agencies, members of those agencies, and Members of Congress may bring lawsuits to block or review work, and those lawsuits are to be handled quickly by the courts.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on estimated federal costs or budgetary effects is included in the bill text. The bill does state limits on private funding (private funds may not be used unless Congress authorizes) and requires Federal spending to follow section 1301 of title 31.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.