The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Hearing on Federal Agency Leasing Oversight
Record date · January 1, 2017
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Does
This House subcommittee hearing examined the leasing practices of federal agencies that operate independently of the General Services Administration (GSA). The committee is investigating ways to increase oversight and reduce costs for the more than 50 agencies that currently manage their own office and warehouse leases.
The committee estimates that improved lease negotiations could save taxpayers $500 million annually, and this hearing explores extending oversight to agencies currently exempt from standard federal real estate reporting requirements.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Federal agencies with independent leasing authority
These agencies are the subject of a GAO review and potential future oversight or reporting requirements.
General Services Administration (GSA)
The GSA is working with the committee to implement new leasing tools and reduce the federal real estate footprint.
Taxpayers
Taxpayers are affected by the potential $500 million in annual savings identified by the committee through improved lease negotiations.
Key Facts
- The subcommittee is investigating over 50 federal agencies that possess independent authority to lease office and warehouse space.
- Approximately half of these independent agencies are not required to comply with OMB directives regarding space reduction.
- Many independent agencies do not report their lease data to the governmentwide Federal real property database.
- The committee estimates that negotiating better lease deals could save taxpayers $500 million annually.
Show all 6 facts
- The House passed H.R. 4487, the Public Buildings Reform and Savings Act, to provide the GSA with tools for more effective lease management.
- The committee requested a formal review from the GAO regarding the leasing practices of these independent agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are some federal agencies allowed to lease their own space?
What is the main concern regarding these independent leases?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Consolidation of Leasing Oversight
The committee is actively moving to reduce the number of agencies operating outside of GSA leasing oversight to improve fiscal accountability.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz10Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools