September 18 (legislative day, September 16), 2025
Mr. Van Hollen (for himself and Mr. Luján) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
To direct the Administrator of General Services to ensure that the design of public buildings in the United States adheres to the guiding principles for Federal architecture, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Democracy in Design Act
.
Sec. 2. Continuing investigation and survey of public buildings
(a) In general
Section 3303 of title 40, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting (referred to in this section as the Administrator)
after Services
; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(e) Guiding principles for Federal architecture
The Administrator shall ensure that the design of public buildings in the United States adheres to the principles described in the report published by the Ad Hoc Committee on Federal Office Space entitled
Guiding Principles for Federal Architectureand dated June 1, 1962.
(b) Rulemaking
(1) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of General Services shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary—
(A)
to implement the amendment made by subsection (a)(2); and
(B)
to establish minimum standards by which the Administrator of General Services shall design public buildings (as defined in section 3301(a) of title 40, United States Code) in the United States.
(2) Notice and comment
The regulations required under paragraph (1) shall be issued after notice and an opportunity for public comment in accordance with the procedure applicable to substantive rules under section 553 of title 5, United States Code.