PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Feb 7, 2012
Civilian Property Realignment Act or CPRA - (Sec. 2) States as the purposes of this Act to: (1) consolidate the footprint of federal buildings and facilities; (2) maximize the utilization rate for such buildings and facilities; (3) reduce the reliance on leased space; (4) sell or redevelop high value assets that are underutilized to obtain the highest and best value and to maximize the return to the taxpayer; (5) reduce the operating and maintenance costs of federal civilian real properties; (6) reduce redundancy, overlap, and costs associated with field offices; (7) create incentives for federal agencies to achieve greater efficiency in their inventories of civilian real property; (8) facilitate and expedite the sale or disposal of unneeded civilian properties; and (9) assist federal agencies in achieving sustainability goals.
(Sec. 3) Defines "federal civilian real property and civilian real property" as federal real property assets, including public buildings, occupied and improved grounds, leased space, or other physical structures under the custody and control of any federal agency, except for: (1) a base, camp, post, or other facility under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense (DOD); (2) properties excluded for national security reasons; (3) properties in the public domain, certain naval vessels, and government records; (4) Indian and Native Alaskan properties; (5) properties operated and maintained by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA); (6) postal properties; (7) properties used for federal agricultural, recreational, and conservation purposes; (8) properties used in connection with river, harbor, flood control, reclamation, or power projects; and (9) properties located outside the United States operated or maintained by the Department of State or the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
(Sec. 4) Establishes the Civilian Property Realignment Commission as an independent commission for the purpose of identifying opportunities for the federal government to reduce significantly its inventory of civilian real property and reduce costs to the government. Terminates the Commission six years after the enactment of this Act.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
(Sec. 11) Requires federal agency heads, not later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act and 120 days after the beginning of each fiscal year, to submit to the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): (1) current data on all federal civilian real properties owned, leased or controlled by federal agencies, including the age and condition of such properties, operating costs, history of capital expenditures, sustainability metrics, and square footage; and (2) recommendations for the sale for proceeds or disposal of federal civilian properties and for achieving operational efficiencies for such properties. Requires the Director, in consultation with the Administrator, to: (1) review agency recommendations and develop consistent standards and criteria for such review, and (2) develop recommendations to the Commission based upon such standards and criteria.
(Sec. 12) Sets forth the duties of the Commission, including: (1) identifying opportunities to reduce significantly the inventory of civilian real property and reduce costs to the government, (2) identifying not less than 5 federal properties not on the list of surplus or excess buildings with a total fair market value of not less than $500 million, (3) performing an independent analysis of the inventory of federal civilian real property and of recommendations for the sale of such properties, and (4) identifying or developing and implementing an accounting system for evaluating recommendations for sales of civilian real property. Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to report on Commission recommendations and its selection process.
(Sec. 13) Requires the President to review the Commission's recommendations and report on his or her approval or disapproval of them. Requires the Commission to revise its recommendations if disapproved by the President.
(Sec. 14) Sets forth procedures for congressional consideration of Commission recommendations approved by the President.
(Sec. 15) Requires federal agencies to: (1) immediately begin preparation to carry out the Commission's recommendations after the congressional review process, (2) initiate all activities for implementation not later than two years after the President transmits the approved recommendations to Congress, and (3) complete implementation within six years unless extenuating circumstances prevent timely completion.
(Sec. 16) Authorizes appropriations and establishes accounts for the salaries and expenses of the Commission and for implementing the Commission's recommendations.
(Sec. 18) Exempts provisions of this Act relating to the development of recommendations by the Commission from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Limits the period for bringing a civil action under such Act for judicial review of implementation activities under this Act.
(Sec. 19) Requires congressional review of proposed projects for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of federal buildings for: (1) compliance with criteria established by this Act relating to the economic feasibility of maintaining underutilized federal buildings, and (2) the use of life-cycle cost analysis to achieve long-term savings.
(Sec. 20) Limits the authority of executive agencies to lease space for the purposes of a public building. Requires the Administrator of GSA to comply with requirements of the Small Business Act when using commercial leasing services.
(Sec. 21) Requires GAO to annually monitor, review, and report on implementation activities under this Act.
(Sec. 22) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Commission should assist small, minority, and women-owned businesses in obtaining contracts to redevelop federal property; (2) the Commission and other federal officials should conduct a public information campaign to advise small, minority, and women-owned businesses regarding such contracts; and (3) firms that are awarded such contracts should, to the maximum extent practicable, seek to award subcontracts to small, minority, and women-owned businesses.
(Sec. 23) Requires the Administrator to ensure that the life-cycle cost of a public building is considered in the construction or lease of a public building that: (1) is constructed or leased after the enactment of this Act; (2) has estimated construction costs exceeding $1 million; (3) if leased, has square footage of more than 25,000 square feet; and (4) has more than 50% of its estimated construction or lease costs federally-funded. Defines "life-cycle cost" as the sum of investment, capital, installation, energy, operating, maintenance, and replacement costs.
People & committees
Rep. Denham, Jeff [R-CA-19] · R–CA
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 259 - 164 (Roll no. 38).
House roll call 38 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 259 - 164 (Roll no. 38).
House roll call 38 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 186 - 238 (Roll no. 37).
House roll call 37 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H532)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Michaud motion to recommit. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a provision which states "Properties owned by the Department of Veterans Affairs or other properties used in connection with providing services for veterans, including hospitals, clinics, and facilities that provide job training, post traumatic stress disorder treatment, housing assistance, homeless services, and rehabilitative care.".
Mr. Michaud moved to recommit with instructions to Transportation. (consideration: CR H531-533; text: CR H531)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H531-533)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair announced that further proceedings on H.R. 1734 would be postponed.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR 2/6/2012 H495-498)
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H530)
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1734.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the adoption of the Connolly (VA) amendment numbered 3 which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H529-530)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1734 as unfinished business.
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Denham moved that the Committee rise.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 537, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Carnahan amendment.
The Chair announced its understanding that amendment numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-385 would not be offered.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 537, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Connolly (VA) amendment the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Connolly (VA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 537, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly (VA) amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 537, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Denham amendment.
The Chair announced its understanding that amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-385 would not be offered.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1734.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Woodall to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 537 and Rule XVIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1734 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 112-11 shall be considered as adopted. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 537. (consideration: CR H490-503)
Rule H. Res. 537 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 537 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1734 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 112-11 shall be considered as adopted. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 262.
Committee on Rules discharged.
Committee on Rules discharged.
Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 112-384, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 112-384, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 22.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Organization, Efficiency, and Financial Management .
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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