S. 3361 — No Palaces Act

This section revises consultation requirements with the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC)—the central planning agency for federal activities in the National Capital region (i.e., Washington, DC, and adjacent Maryland and Virginia)—under 40 U.S.C. 8722(b)(1) by requiring federal or District agencies to consult before initiating demolition activities with respect to an existing structure, in addition to before preparing construction plans or committing to acquire federally funded land (previously only the latter two). The section also adds a new subsection (f) requiring NCPC concept review and approval, followed by a 60-day congressional consideration period (excluding days either House adjourns more than three days), for any building or site improvement to the White House or its grounds by the Executive Office of the President or a federal agency. (Thus, such improvements may proceed unless Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval during that period using expedited Senate procedures that limit debate to 10 hours, waive points of order, and require discharge after 20 days on a petition by 30 senators.)