SWAMP Act of 2023 Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act of 2023
Impact
The enactment of HB5676 could lead to significant changes in how federal agencies operate and are structured. By encouraging the relocation of agency headquarters away from the Washington metropolitan area, the bill responds to concerns regarding government concentration in a single location. Proponents argue that this relocation could diversify economic development and workforce opportunities across different states while potentially leading to cost savings through the sale of federal properties. However, it is uncertain how this may affect the effectiveness of agency operations and accessibility to policymakers.
Summary
House Bill 5676, known as the SWAMP Act of 2023, aims to establish a competitive bidding process for relocating the headquarters of Executive agencies. This legislation is designed to increase government efficiency by evaluating proposals from various states and political subdivisions to determine the most suitable location for these headquarters. The bill also defines the parameters for what constitutes an Executive agency and stipulates that agencies located in the Washington metropolitan area cannot renew or enter into new leases for their headquarters after the bill's enactment, unless explicitly permitted by law.
Contention
One point of contention surrounding HB5676 is its potential implications for national security. Critics have raised concerns that moving agency headquarters could disrupt established relationships and procedures that are critically important for national security operations. Furthermore, the competitive bidding process may introduce inefficiencies and complications, as agencies might have to transition operations to new locations, which could require additional resources and time to implement. Supporters of the bill argue that the stringent requirements for relocation will ensure that national security interests are always prioritized in the decision-making process.
Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act or the SWAMP ActThis bill prohibits new construction, major renovation, leasing, or renewing a lease of certain executive agency headquarters in the District of Columbia metropolitan area and establishes a competitive bidding process for the relocation of such headquarters.The General Services Administration (GSA) must (1) establish a process to allow an executive agency to request the GSA to issue a solicitation for the relocation of its headquarters or allow the GSA to issue such a solicitation without a request, if necessary; (2) allow any state or political subdivision of a state to respond to a solicitation with a proposal for the relocation of the agency's headquarters; and (3) in consultation with the executive agency, select a state or political subdivision of a state for the relocation of the agency's headquarters using a competitive bidding procedure based on certain considerations.
DRAIN THE SWAMP Act Decentralizing and Reorganizing Agency Infrastructure Nation-wide To Harness Efficient Services, Workforce Administration, and Management Practices Act
Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement Act or the SWAMP ActThis bill prohibits new construction, major renovation, leasing, or renewing a lease of certain executive agency headquarters in the District of Columbia metropolitan area and establishes a competitive bidding process for the relocation of such headquarters.The General Services Administration (GSA) must (1) establish a process to allow an executive agency to request the GSA to issue a solicitation for the relocation of its headquarters or allow the GSA to issue such a solicitation without a request, if necessary; (2) allow any state or political subdivision of a state to respond to a solicitation with a proposal for the relocation of the agency's headquarters; and (3) in consultation with the executive agency, select a state or political subdivision of a state for the relocation of the agency's headquarters using a competitive bidding procedure based on certain considerations.
Creates the Corporate Headquarters Relocation Program which authorizes a rebate for certain costs related to the relocation of certain corporate headquarter projects (EN DECREASE GF RV See Note)
Establishes the Louisiana Headquartered Motion Picture Production Cooperative Endeavor Program and the Louisiana Headquartered Motion Picture Production Fund (OR SEE FISC NOTE SD EX)