USC Subchapter III

in effect

2 U.S.C. § 5531 Program to increase employment opportunities in House of Representatives for individuals with disabilities

(a) In generalIn order to promote an increase in opportunities for individuals with disabilities to provide services to the House of Representatives, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives is authorized to—(1) enter into 1 or more contracts with nongovernmental entities to provide for the performance of services for offices of the House of Representatives by individuals with disabilities who are employees of, or under contract with, such entities; and (2) provide reasonable accommodations, including assistive technology devices and assistive technology services, to enable such individuals to perform such services under such contracts. (b) Elements of programThe Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, in entering into any contract under subsection (a), shall seek to ensure that—(1) traditional and nontraditional outreach efforts are used to attract individuals with disabilities for educational benefit and employment opportunities in the House; (2) the non-governmental entity provides adequate education and training for individuals with disabilities to enhance such employment opportunities; and (3) efforts are made to educate employing offices in the House about opportunities to employ individuals with disabilities. (c) FundingThere are authorized to be appropriated from the applicable accounts of the House of Representatives $500,000 to carry out this section for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 2007.

2 U.S.C. § 5532 Advance payments

(a) AuthorizationFor fiscal year 1998 and each succeeding fiscal year, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives is authorized to make advance payments under a contract or other agreement to provide a service or deliver an article for the United States Government without regard to the provisions of section 3324 of title 31. (b) RegulationsAn advance payment authorized by subsection (a) shall be made in accordance with regulations issued by the Committee on House Oversight of the House of Representatives. (c) Effective dateThe authority granted by subsection (a) shall not take effect until regulations are issued pursuant to subsection (b).

2 U.S.C. § 5533 House of Representatives Revolving Fund

(a) EstablishmentThere is established in the House of Representatives a fund to be known as the “House of Representatives Revolving Fund”, consisting of the following amounts:(1) Amounts appropriated to the Fund. (2) Amounts donated to the Fund. (3) Interest on the balance of the Fund. (b) ExpendituresAmounts in the Fund shall be expended at the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, upon notification provided by the Chief Administrative Officer to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and shall remain available until expended. (c) ApplicabilityThis section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2004 and each succeeding fiscal year.

2 U.S.C. § 5534 House revolving fund for stationery allowances; disposition of moneys from stationery sales; availability of unexpended balances

There is established a revolving fund for the purpose of administering the funds appropriated for stationery allowances to each Representative, Delegate, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico; and stationery for use of the committees, departments, and officers of the House. All moneys hereafter received by the stationery room of the House of Representatives from the sale of stationery supplies and other equipment shall be deposited in the revolving fund and shall be available for disbursement from the fund in the same manner as other sums that may be appropriated by the Congress for this purpose. The unexpended balance of all moneys heretofore received by the stationery room of the House of Representatives from the sale of stationery supplies and equipment shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the fund: Provided, That the unexpended balances in the appropriations “Contingent expenses, House of Representatives, stationery, 1945–1946”; “Contingent expenses, House of Representatives, stationery, 1946”; “Contingent expenses, House of Representatives, stationery, 1947–48”, as of June 30, 1947, shall be transferred to and made available for expenditure out of the fund, together with appropriations herein or hereafter made therefor, to remain available until expended.

2 U.S.C. § 5535 Report of disbursements for House of Representatives

(a) In generalNot later than 60 days after the last day of each semiannual period, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives shall submit to the House of Representatives, with respect to that period, a detailed, itemized report of the disbursements for the operations of the House of Representatives. (b) ContentsThe report required by subsection (a) shall include—(1) the name of each person who receives a payment from the House of Representatives; (2) the quantity and price of any item furnished to the House of Representatives; (3) a description of any service rendered to the House of Representatives, together with a statement of the time required for the service, and the name, title, and amount paid to each person who renders the service; (4) a statement of all amounts appropriated to, or received, or expended by the House of Representatives, and any unexpended balances of such amounts; (5) the information submitted to the Comptroller General under section 3523(a) of title 31; and (6) such additional information as may be required by regulation of the Committee on House Oversight of the House of Representatives. (c) ExclusionNotwithstanding subsection (b), if a voucher is for payment to an individual for attendance as a witness before a committee of the Congress in executive session, the report for the semiannual period in which the appearance occurs shall show only the date of payment, voucher number, and amount paid. Any information excluded from a report under the preceding sentence shall be included in the report for the next period. (d) House documentEach report under this section shall be printed as a House document. (e) Conforming provisionThe provisions of—(1) sections 102, 103, and 104 11 See References in Text note below. of this title; and (2) section 4108 of this title; that require submission and printing of statements and reports are not applicable to the House of Representatives. (f) Effective dateThis section shall apply to the semiannual periods of January 1 through June 30 and July 1 through December 31 of each year, beginning with the semiannual period in which this section is enacted.

2 U.S.C. § 5536 Office equipment for House Members, officers, and committees

(a) Authority of Chief Administrative OfficerAt the request of any Member, officer, or committee of the House of Representatives, or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and with the approval of the Committee on House Oversight, but subject to the limitations prescribed by this Act, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives shall furnish office equipment for use in the office of that Member, Resident Commissioner, officer, or committee. Office equipment so furnished is limited to equipment of those types and categories which the Committee on House Oversight shall prescribe. (b) Registration and ownershipOffice equipment furnished under this section shall be registered in the office of the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives and shall remain the property of the House of Representatives. (c) PaymentThe cost of office equipment furnished under this section shall be paid from the applicable accounts of the House of Representatives. (d) Rules and regulationsThe Committee on House Oversight shall prescribe such regulations as it considers necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

2 U.S.C. § 5537 Net Expenses of Equipment Revolving Fund

(a) EstablishmentThere is hereby established in the Treasury of the United States a revolving fund for the House of Representatives to be known as the Net Expenses of Equipment Revolving Fund (hereafter in this section referred to as the “Revolving Fund”), consisting of funds deposited by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives from amounts provided by offices of the House of Representatives to purchase, lease, obtain, and maintain the equipment located in such offices, and amounts provided by Members of the House of Representatives (including Delegates and Resident Commissioners to the Congress) to purchase, lease, obtain, and maintain furniture for their district offices. (b) Use of fundsAmounts in the Revolving Fund shall be used by the Chief Administrative Officer without fiscal year limitation to purchase, lease, obtain, and maintain equipment for offices of the House of Representatives and furniture for the district offices of Members of the House of Representatives (including Delegates and Resident Commissioners to the Congress). (c) TreatmentThe Revolving Fund shall be treated as a category of allowances and expenses for purposes of section 5507(a) of this title. (d) Applicability to fiscal yearsThis section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2003 and each succeeding fiscal year, except that for purposes of making deposits into the Revolving Fund under subsection (a), the Chief Administrative Officer may deposit amounts provided by offices of the House of Representatives during fiscal year 2002 or any succeeding fiscal year. (e) Applicability to telecommunications equipmentThis section shall not apply with respect to any telecommunications equipment which is subject to coverage under section 5538 11 See References in Text note below. of this title (relating to the Net Expenses of Telecommunications Revolving Fund).

2 U.S.C. § 5538 Net Expenses of Telecommunications Revolving Fund

(a) EstablishmentThere is hereby established in the Treasury of the United States a revolving fund for the House of Representatives to be known as the Net Expenses of Telecommunications Revolving Fund (hereafter in this section referred to as the “Revolving Fund”), consisting of funds deposited by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives from amounts provided by legislative branch offices to purchase, lease, obtain, and maintain the data and voice telecommunications services and equipment located in such offices. (b) Use of amounts in FundAmounts in the Revolving Fund shall be used by the Chief Administrative Officer without fiscal year limitation to purchase, lease, obtain, and maintain the data and voice telecommunications services and equipment of legislative branch offices. (c) Transfer authorityThe Revolving Fund shall be treated as a category of allowances and expenses for purposes of section 5507(a) of this title. (d), (e) Omitted (f) ApplicabilityThis section and the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2005 and each succeeding fiscal year, except that for purposes of making deposits into the Revolving Fund under subsection (a), the Chief Administrative Officer may deposit amounts provided by legislative branch offices during fiscal year 2004 or any succeeding fiscal year.

2 U.S.C. § 5539 Commissions and charges for public telephone or telecommunications services; deposit of receipts

(a) Authority of Chief Administrative Officer to receive commissions for providing public telephone service in House occupied areasEffective October 1, 1988, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives is authorized to receive commissions for providing public telephone service in space occupied by the United States House of Representatives. (b) Deposit of receipts; availability for expenditureReceipts from the commissions and charges set forth in subsection (a) of this section shall be deposited in the United States Treasury for credit to the appropriation for “Salaries and Expenses of the United States House of Representatives”, and shall be available for expenditure upon the approval of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

2 U.S.C. § 5540 Disposal of used or surplus furniture and equipment by Chief Administrative Officer of House; procedure; deposit of receipts

(1) The Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives may dispose of used equipment of the House of Representatives, by trade-in or sale, directly or through the General Services Administration. Any direct disposal under the preceding sentence shall be in accordance with normal business practice and shall be at fair market value. Receipts from disposals under the first sentence of this section (together with receipts from sale of transcripts, waste paper and other items provided by law, and receipts for missing or damaged equipment) shall be deposited in the Treasury for credit to the appropriate account of the House of Representatives, and shall be available for expenditure in accordance with applicable law. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of receipts from the sale or disposal of any audio or video transcripts prepared by the House Recording Studio, the “appropriate account of the House of Representatives” shall be the account of the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives. (2) If disposal in accordance with paragraph (1) is not feasible because of age, location, condition, or any other relevant factor, the Chief Administrative Officer may donate the equipment to the government of a State, to a local government, or to an organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of title 26 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of title 26. Except as provided in paragraph (3), a donation under this paragraph—(A) shall be at no cost to the Government; and (B) may be made only if the used equipment has no recoverable value because disposal in accordance with paragraph (1), under the most favorable terms available to the Government, would result in a loss to the Government. (3)(A) In the case of computer-related equipment, during fiscal year 1998 the Chief Administrative Officer may donate directly the equipment to a public elementary or secondary school of the District of Columbia without regard to whether the donation meets the requirements of the second sentence of paragraph (2), except that the total number of workstations donated as a result of this paragraph may not exceed 1,000. (B) In this paragraph—(i) the term “computer-related equipment” includes desktops, laptops, printers, file servers, and peripherals which are appropriate for use in public school education; (ii) the terms “public elementary school” and “public secondary school” have the meaning given the terms elementary school and secondary school in section 7801 of title 20; and (iii) the term “workstation” includes desktops and peripherals, file servers and peripherals, laptops and peripherals, printers and peripherals, and workstations and peripherals. (C) The Committee on House Oversight shall have authority to issue regulations to carry out this paragraph. (4) The Committee on House Oversight of the House of Representatives shall have authority to prescribe regulations to carry out this subsection. (5) As used in this section—(A) the term “State” means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and a territory or possession of the United States; and (B) the term “used equipment” means such used or surplus equipment (including furniture and motor vehicles) as the Committee on House Oversight of the House of Representatives may prescribe by regulation.

2 U.S.C. § 5541 Fees for internal delivery in House of Representatives of nonpostage mail from outside sources

Effective with respect to fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 1995, in the case of mail from outside sources presented to the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives (other than mail through the Postal Service and mail with postage otherwise paid) for internal delivery in the House of Representatives, the Chief Administrative Officer is authorized to collect fees equal to the applicable postage. Amounts received by the Chief Administrative Officer as fees under the preceding sentence shall be deposited in the Treasury for credit to the account of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.

2 U.S.C. § 5542 Regulations for safe handling of mail matter

(a) In generalSubject to the approval of the Committee on House Administration, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives shall implement regulations under which the Chief Administrative Officer shall be authorized to handle any mail matter delivered by the United States Postal Service or any other carrier to the House of Representatives, or to any other entity with whom the Chief Administrative Officer has entered into an agreement to receive mail matter delivered to the entity, in such manner as the Chief Administrative Officer deems necessary to ensure the safety of any individuals who may come into contact with, or otherwise be exposed to, such mail matter. (b) Civil or criminal liabilityNo action taken under the regulations implemented pursuant to this section may serve as a basis for civil or criminal liability of any individual or entity. (c) DefinitionAs used in this section, the term “handle” includes but is not limited to collecting, isolating, testing, opening, disposing, and destroying. (d) Effective dateThis section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2004 and each succeeding fiscal year.

2 U.S.C. § 5543 Rebates under Government Travel Charge Card Program

Effective with respect to fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 1995, amounts received by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives from the Administrator of General Services for rebates under the Government Travel Charge Card Program shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.

2 U.S.C. § 5544 Deposit of House Information Resources reimbursements for services

Effective with respect to fiscal year 2003 and each succeeding fiscal year, any amount received by House Information Resources from any office of the House of Representatives as reimbursement for services provided shall be deposited in the Treasury for credit to the account of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives.

2 U.S.C. § 5545 House Services Revolving Fund

(a) Establishment of House Services Revolving FundThere is hereby established in the Treasury of the United States a revolving fund for the House of Representatives to be known as the “House Services Revolving Fund” (hereafter in this section referred to as the “Revolving Fund”), consisting of funds deposited by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives from all amounts received by the House of Representatives with respect to the following activities:(1) The operation of the House Barber Shop. (2) The operation of the House Beauty Shop. (3) The operation of the House Restaurant System (including vending operations). (4) The provision of mail services to entities which are not part of the House of Representatives. (5) The payment of fees for the use of the exercise facility described in section 103(a).11 See References in Text note below. (6) The collection of promotional rebates and incentives on credit card purchases, balances, and payments. (7) The collection of a service fee from vendors of the Master Web Services Agreement or the Technology Services Contract for failure to abide by and maintain House of Representatives security policies. (8) The operation of the House Dry Cleaning and Laundry Service. (9) Other activities related to the operation of services offered by the House of Representatives, as approved by the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (b) Use of amounts in FundAmounts in the Revolving Funds 22 So in original. Probably should be “Fund”. shall be used for any purpose designated by the Chief Administrative Officer, including purposes relating to energy and water conservation and environmental activities carried out in buildings, facilities, and grounds under the Chief Administrative Officer’s jurisdiction, upon notification provided by the Chief Administrative Officer to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (c) Transfer authorityThe Revolving Fund shall be treated as a category of allowances and expenses for purposes of section 5507(a) of this title. (d) Termination and transfer of existing funds and accounts(1) In generalEach fund and account specified in paragraph (2) is hereby terminated, and the balance of each such fund and account is hereby transferred to the Revolving Fund. (2) Funds and accounts specifiedThe funds and accounts referred to in paragraph (1) are as follows:(A) The revolving fund for the House Barber Shop, established by the paragraph under the heading “HOUSE BARBER SHOPS REVOLVING FUND” in the matter relating to the House of Representatives in chapter III of title I of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1975 (Public Law 93–554; 88 Stat. 1776). (B) The revolving funds for the House Beauty Shop, established by the matter under the heading “house beauty shop” in the matter relating to administrative provisions for the House of Representatives in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1970 (Public Law 91–145; 83 Stat. 347). (C) The special deposit account established for the House of Representatives Restaurant by section 208 of the First Supplemental Civil Functions Appropriation Act, 1941, or any successor fund or account established for the receipt of revenues of the House Restaurant System. (e) Effective dateThis section shall take effect October 1, 2004, and shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2005 and each succeeding fiscal year.

2 U.S.C. § 5546 Support services for House during emergency; memorandum of understanding with an executive agency

(a) AuthorizationNotwithstanding any other provision of law—(1) subject to subsection (b), the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives and the head of an executive agency (as defined in section 105 of title 5) may enter into a memorandum of understanding under which the agency may provide facilities, equipment, supplies, personnel, and other support services for the use of the House of Representatives during an emergency situation; and (2) the Chief Administrative Officer and the head of the agency may take any action necessary to carry out the terms of the memorandum of understanding. (b) Approval of Speaker requiredThe Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives may not enter into a memorandum of understanding described in subsection (a)(1) without the approval of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (c) ApplicabilityThis section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2002 and each succeeding fiscal year.

2 U.S.C. § 5547 Emergency expenditures for meals, refreshments, and other support and maintenance

(a) At any time on or after February 20, 2003, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives may incur obligations and make expenditures out of available appropriations for meals, refreshments, and other support and maintenance for Members, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives when, in the judgment of the Chief Administrative Officer, such obligations and expenditures are necessary to respond to emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property. (b) Nothing in this section may be construed to affect any other authority of the Chief Administrative Officer to incur obligations and make expenditures for the items and services described in subsection (a) for Members, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives.

2 U.S.C. § 5548 Payments to ensure continuing availability of goods and services during the coronavirus emergency

(a) Authorization to make paymentsNotwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to subsection (b), during an emergency situation, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives may make payments under contracts with vendors providing goods and services to the House in amounts and under terms and conditions other than those provided under the contract in order to ensure that those goods and services remain available to the House throughout the duration of the emergency. (b) Conditions(1) Approval requiredThe Chief Administrative Officer may not make payments under the authority of subsection (a) without the approval of the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives. (2) Availability of appropriationsThe authority of the Chief Administrative Officer to make payments under the authority of subsection (a) is subject to the availability of appropriations to make such payments. (c) ApplicabilityThis section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2020 and each succeeding fiscal year.

2 U.S.C. § 5549 House Intern Resource Office

(a) Establishment; Coordinator(1) Establishment; CoordinatorThere is established in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives the House Intern Resource Office (hereinafter referred to as the “Office”). (2) AppointmentThe Office shall be headed by the House Intern Resource Coordinator (hereinafter referred to as the “Coordinator”), who shall be employed by the Chief Administrative Officer in consultation with the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration. (b) DutiesIn consultation with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and such other offices as the Coordinator considers appropriate, the Office shall—(1) provide support services, such as accommodations, training, and professional development, to interns of offices of the House of Representatives; (2) serve as a center for resources and best practices for the recruitment, hiring, training, and use of interns by offices of the House of Representatives; and (3) gather demographic and other data about interns of offices of the House of Representatives. (c) Addressing inequities in access to internshipsIn carrying out its duties, the Office shall consider inequities in access to internships in offices of the House of Representatives, and shall consider the viability of establishing an intern stipend program for interns from underrepresented backgrounds, including those who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and other Minority Serving Institutions described in section 1067q(a) of title 20. (d) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2023 and each succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. (e) Effective dateThis section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2023 and each succeeding fiscal year.