Fine Arts Protection Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5009
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Arts, Culture, Religion
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-07T08:05:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 5009: Fine Arts Protection Act of 2025
Purpose
The legislation directs the Comptroller General of the United States to review the Fine Arts Program of the General Services Administration (GSA). It seeks to evaluate the program's management of a major public art collection, including works from New Deal programs, to support preservation of culturally significant items.
Key Provisions
- The Comptroller General must begin the review no later than one year after the bill's enactment.
- The review requires:
- Surveying each artwork in the GSA's Fine Arts Collection.
- Estimating the economic value of the collection, with specific attention to New Deal-commissioned works.
- Assessing the GSA's stewardship of the program.
- Checking if current staffing and funding levels are adequate for managing and preserving the collection.
- Comparing the GSA's management practices to those of other organizations handling similar-sized art collections.
- Examining whether the GSA should develop plans to relocate the collection amid ongoing staff and budget reductions.
- The Comptroller General must submit a report within two years to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, including review findings and any recommendations on improving management or transferring oversight of the collection.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill creates a new, one-time mandate for a GAO review of the GSA's Fine Arts Program. It does not amend or repeal any prior statutes but adds oversight requirements focused on this specific federal program.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The GSA may face scrutiny of its operations, with possible recommendations for changes in staffing, funding, or collection management; the GAO will allocate resources to conduct the review.
- On citizens: Enhanced evaluation of a public art collection could lead to better long-term preservation of historical and cultural items accessible to the public.
- On international relations: No direct effects are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The General Services Administration, which manages the Fine Arts Program and Collection.
- The Government Accountability Office, tasked with performing the review and reporting.
- Congressional committees responsible for oversight of transportation, infrastructure, and public works.
- Individuals and groups interested in public art, including those connected to New Deal-era works.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill reinforces congressional oversight of federal agency management of public assets without raising apparent constitutional concerns. It highlights the role of government in preserving cultural history through art and promotes accountability for resource allocation in non-essential programs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (7)
Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-08-19: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-08-19: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Fine Arts Protection Act of 2025 — issued 2025-08-19 — PDF (4 pages)