H.R. 189 — Securities and Exchange Commission Real Estate Leasing Authority Revocation Act

This section prohibits the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from leasing general purpose office space on or after the date of enactment and authorizes the Administrator of General Services to lease such space for the SEC under 40 U.S.C. §585 and chapter 33 of title 40, U.S. Code. (Thus, the SEC must use GSA for new general purpose office leases.) The amendment does not affect SEC leases entered into before enactment.

This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to complete a review updating the 2016 GAO report on federal real property (GAO–16–648)—with a focus on federal entities' independent leasing authorities for domestic offices and warehouses (i.e., authority to lease space without General Services Administration involvement)—and to submit a report on the review to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The review must specifically address (1) updating Appendix II of the 2016 report on federal entities reporting such authority; (2) the extent to which those authorities have been rescinded or amended, including the number and amount of office and warehouse space leased; (3) agencies' utilization of GSA for leasing, including delegations of authority; and (4) progress on implementing the 2016 report's recommendations.