To amend title 40, United States Code, to permit commercial filmmaking and photography on the United States Capitol grounds, and for other purposes.

Bill Number

H.R. 7162

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-21: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Last Updated

2026-06-03T08:05:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 7162

Purpose

This bill aims to allow commercial filmmaking and photography on the United States Capitol grounds under specific conditions, while updating rules for handling related fees.

Key Provisions

• The Chief of the United States Capitol Police may issue permits for appropriate commercial filming and photography on the Capitol grounds, but not inside Capitol Buildings and only during times when neither the House nor the Senate is in session.
• Permit holders may be required to pay a fee to cover costs incurred by the Architect of the Capitol.
• Allowed activities and fees must match the types and amounts previously used in Union Square before its control shifted to the Architect of the Capitol.
• Fees collected must be transferred immediately to the Capitol Trust Account.
• The Capitol Police Board will create regulations for this process, after consulting with the House Committee on House Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.
• A related change updates the Capitol Trust Account law to include these new fees.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This adds an exception to current restrictions on commercial activity on Capitol grounds (under section 5104(c) and related rules in title 40 of the U.S. Code), which previously limited such uses.
• It expands the Capitol Trust Account to receive fees from these new permits, in addition to existing sources.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: The Capitol Police would handle permit issuance and enforcement, while the Architect of the Capitol could see added costs (offset by fees); the Capitol Police Board would develop new rules.
• Citizens: Commercial filmmakers and photographers gain a new option for using public Capitol grounds outside of session periods, potentially increasing access for media or creative projects.
• No direct effects on international relations are outlined.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• The United States Capitol Police and its Chief.
• The Architect of the Capitol.
• The Capitol Police Board.
• Congressional committees (House Administration and Senate Rules and Administration).
• Commercial filmmakers, photographers, and related businesses.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• The bill modifies federal rules on public property use at the Capitol, creating a structured permit system that balances commercial access with operational limits.
• It requires coordination between legislative branch entities, which could streamline oversight but adds administrative steps.
• No major constitutional issues are addressed in the text, though it involves public space management under congressional authority.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-21: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
• 2026-01-20: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2026-01-20: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-20: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E55)
• 2026-01-20: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• To amend title 40, United States Code, to permit commercial filmmaking and photography on the United States Capitol grounds, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-01-20 — PDF (4 pages)