H.R. 5153 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5153 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 17, 2014 Ms. Norton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform A BILL To amend the Act of September 16, 1922, to clarify the responsibility of Federal agencies to remove snow and ice for areas around Federal buildings in the District of Columbia. 1. District of Columbia snow removal The Act of September 16, 1922 (42 Stat. 845, chapter 318) is amended by striking section 3 and inserting the following: 3. Duties of Federal agencies (a) In general It shall be the duty of a Federal agency to remove, or cause to be removed, snow, sleet, or ice from any paved sidewalk or crosswalk within the fire limits of the District of Columbia that is— (1) in front of or adjacent to any building that is— (A) owned by the United States; and (B) under the jurisdiction of the Federal agency; or (2) a public thoroughfare in front of, around, or through any public square, reservation, or open space that is— (A) owned by the United States; and (B) under the jurisdiction of the Federal agency. (b) Timing The removal of snow, sleet, or ice under subsection (a) shall occur within a reasonable period after the snow or sleet ceases to fall or the ice has accumulated, as applicable. (c) Application of sand, ashes, and salt If snow, sleet, or ice has hardened and cannot be removed from a sidewalk or crosswalk described in subsection (a), the Federal agency shall— (1) make the sidewalk or crosswalk reasonably safe for travel by applying sand, ashes, salt, or other acceptable materials to the affected sidewalk or crosswalk; and (2) as soon as practicable, thoroughly remove the snow, sleet, or ice from the affected sidewalk or crosswalk. (d) Authority To delegate A Federal agency may delegate the duty of the Federal agency under subsections (a) and (c) to another governmental entity or a nongovernmental entity under a lease, contract, or other comparable arrangement. (e) Agreement If 2 or more Federal agencies have overlapping responsibility for a sidewalk or crosswalk, the Federal agencies may enter into an agreement assigning responsibility for the removal of snow, sleet, or ice from the sidewalk or crosswalk. .