S. 2891: Democracy in Design Act

The bill, titled the Democracy in Design Act, aims to enhance the design standards of public buildings in the United States. Here’s a summary of what it proposes:

1. Ensuring Design Standards

The bill requires the Administrator of General Services to guarantee that all public buildings adhere to specific design principles outlined in a report from the Ad Hoc Committee on Federal Office Space, known as the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture, which was published in 1962. These principles emphasize values such as beauty, functional design, and a commitment to democratic ideals in the architecture of public spaces.

2. Rulemaking and Implementation

The bill stipulates a timeframe for implementing its requirements. Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the Administrator must create regulations to:

• Functionally apply the design principles outlined in the bill.
• Establish minimum design standards that must be met for public buildings.

This process will include a period for public comments to ensure transparency and community involvement in the formulation of these regulations.

3. Continuous Evaluation

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for ongoing investigations and surveys of public buildings to assess compliance with these design standards, ensuring that they maintain alignment with the guiding principles over time.

4. Goals of the Bill

By enforcing these standards, the bill aims to enhance the aesthetic quality and functional utility of federally funded buildings, promoting a sense of national pride and community identity through well-designed structures.

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