WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, legislation was proposed that would pave the way for the disposal of approximately 12,000 excess government properties. According to government estimates, the bill, known as the Civilian Property Realignment Act (CPRA), would generate at least $15 billion in property sales.
The idea was first proposed as part of the General Provisions for the FY2012 budget. In it, President Obama recommended the creation of a seven-member, independent board that would identify properties that can be sold. The board would submit recommendations twice a year to the Office of Management and Budget, which would review the recommendations and submit a report to Congress, which would pass a resolution approving or disapproving the recommendations without the introduction of amendments. If the recommendations passed, the properties that could be sold would be put on the market.
Soon after the General Provisions were released, the White House released a draft bill of the CPRA. Among the legislation, the bill mentions that disposing of these properties will “[achieve] the government's sustainability goals by reducing excess space, inventory, and energy consumption, as well as leveraging new technologies.” The White House also released an interactive map that lists a majority of the properties to be sold.
Last Thursday, Representative Jeff Denham (R-CA) introduced his version of the CPRA. H.R. 1734 is similar to the White House's original proposal, though it expands the size of the board to nine members. The initial cost of the act will be $88 million, after which the proceeds from the sales would repay the Treasury and produce a 60 percent windfall for the government for any properties sold.
In a statement announcing the bill's introduction, Rep. Denham said, “I believe the potential to save billions of dollars is real. Given our trillion dollar deficit and skyrocketing debt, we must examine every areas of government and look for ways to cut spending. My bill establishes a nine-person Civilian Property Realignment Commission to take politics out of the process, increase transparency and save billions of taxpayer dollars.
The legislation is similar to the Base Realignment and Closure Act, which consolidated the government's military properties and continues to spur new development today.
— Coleman Wood