[House Report 111-471] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 111th Congress Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 111-471 ====================================================================== USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR SOAP BOX DERBY RACES _______ May 4, 2010.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H. Con. Res. 247] [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom was referred the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 247) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the concurrent resolution be agreed to. PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION H. Con. Res. 247 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 2010 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION The concurrent resolution authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 2010 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby on June 19, 2010. The All-American Soap Box Derby is one of the largest competitive youth events in the country. Since 1934, the Soap Box Derby organizing committee has run a national program for children ages eight through 17. The All-American Derby youth program is administered by the International Soap Box Derby, Inc., an Akron, Ohio-based non-profit corporation. There are three racing divisions based on age in most local races and at the All-American competition. Generally, the local races are sponsored by civic organizations, local businesses, and other service organizations that establish and promote the races. World Championship finals are held each August at Derby Downs in Akron. Derby Downs is a 954-foot racing track that has been specifically designed for Soap Box races. Participants are required to participate in local races closest to their residence. Local champions are then eligible to participate in the All American Soap Box World Championship in Akron. Participants also have the opportunity to participate in Rally Races in different regions to accumulate enough points to participate in the All American Soap Box World Championship. The ideals of the Soap Box Derby program have not changed since its beginning. The goals are to teach children and young adults the basic skills of craftsmanship, the spirit of competition, and the perseverance to continue a project once it has begun. The 2010 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby will take place on Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Second Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C., on June 19, 2010. The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby has been held on the U.S. Capitol Grounds since 1991. It has attracted more than 60 youth participants each year. The D.C. Metropolitan race winners from each of the Stock, Super Stock, and Masters Division Soap Box Derby races will compete in Akron, for scholarships and other prizes in the All-American Soap Box Derby. SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION Section 1. Use of Capitol Grounds for soap box derby races Section 1 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby on June 19, 2010, or such other date as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration may jointly designate. Sec. 2. Terms and conditions Section 2 requires that the event be free of charge and arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress, under conditions prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board. This section also maintains that the sponsor will also be responsible for all expenses and liabilities. Sec. 3. Event preparations Section 3 allows the Architect of the Capitol to prescribe conditions for the physical preparations for the event. Sec. 4. Additional arrangements Section 4 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board to make any additional arrangements that may be required to carry out the event. Sec. 5. Enforcement of restrictions Section 5 requires the Capitol Police Board to enforce all applicable restrictions on the use of the Capitol Grounds, including those relating to sales, advertisements, displays, and solicitations. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION In the 111th Congress, on February 4, 2009, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer introduced H. Con. Res. 37. On February 12, 2009, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session and ordered the concurrent resolution reported favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum present. On March 10, 2009, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure reported the concurrent resolution. H. Rept. 111-32. On March 10, 2009, the House agreed to H. Con. Res. 39 by voice vote under suspension of the Rules of the House of Representatives. On March 12, 2009, the Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 37 by Unanimous Consent. On March 4, 2010, Majority Leader Hoyer introduced H. Con. Res. 247. On April 29, 2010, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Con. Res. 247. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure ordered the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 247, reported favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum present. RECORD VOTES Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires each committee report to include the total number of votes cast for and against on each recorded vote on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, and the names of those members voting for and against. There were no recorded votes taken in connection with consideration of H. Con. Res. 247 or ordering the concurrent resolution reported. A motion to order H. Con. Res. 247 reported favorably to the House was agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in this report. COST OF LEGISLATION Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives does not apply where a cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been timely submitted prior to the filing of the report and is included in the report. Such a cost estimate is included in this report. COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII 1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee references the report of the Congressional Budget Office included in the report. 2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the performance goals and objectives of this legislation are to authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. 3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has received the enclosed cost estimate for H. Con. Res. 247 from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office: U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, April 30, 2010. Hon. James L. Oberstar, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H. Con. Res. 247, a concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Matthew Pickford. Sincerely, Douglas W. Elmendorf, Director. Enclosure. H. Con. Res. 247--A concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby H. Con. Res. 247 would authorize the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association to use the Capitol grounds on June 19, 2010, or on such a date as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration may jointly designate. Because it would require the association to assume responsibility for all expenses and liabilities associated with the event, CBO estimates that passage of H. Con. Res. 247 would result in no significant cost to the federal government. Enacting the legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply. The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Matthew Pickford. This estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee is required to include a list of any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. H. Con. Res. 247 does not contain any earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits under clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, committee reports on a bill or joint resolution of a public character shall include a statement citing the specific powers granted to the Congress in the Constitution to enact the measure. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure finds that Congress has the authority to enact this measure pursuant to its powers granted under article I, section 8 of the Constitution. FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (P.L. 104-4). PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Con. Res. 247 does not preempt any state, local, or tribal law. ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this legislation. APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (P.L. 104-1). CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED H. Con. Res. 247 makes no changes in existing law.