Democracy in Design Act

The Democracy in Design Act would direct the General Services Administration to ensure that federal buildings across the United States adhere to the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture, which have been in place since 1962. These principles allow state and local governments to design federal buildings reflecting their communities' specific needs and regional cultures, rather than conforming to a single mandated architectural style. The bill would also strengthen the GSA's Design Excellence Program by requiring enhanced public comment processes for any changes to federal design guidelines. If enacted, the legislation would prevent the federal government from mandating particular architectural styles for federal buildings and would increase transparency in how federal buildings are designed and constructed. The bill is currently under committee consideration and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.