H.R. 7162

119 HR 7162 IH: To amend title 40, United States Code, to permit commercial filmmaking and photography on the United States Capitol grounds, and for other purposes.
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-01-20
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 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 7162  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   January 20, 2026   Ms. Norton  introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure    A BILL
To amend title 40, United States Code, to permit commercial filmmaking and photography on the United States Capitol grounds, and for other purposes.
1.
Permitting commercial filmmaking and photography on United States Capitol Grounds
(a)
In General
Section 5106 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(d)
Commercial Filmmaking and Photography
(1)
Authorization by Capitol Police
Notwithstanding section 5104(c) or any other provision of this chapter which restricts commercial activity on the United States Capitol Grounds, the Chief of the United States Capitol Police (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the  Chief )—
(A)
may issue a permit authorizing a person to engage in appropriate commercial filmmaking and photography activity on the United States Capitol Grounds (other than any Capitol Buildings described in section 5101), so long as the person only engages in such activity during a period in which neither House of Congress is in session; and
(B)
under the terms and conditions of such a permit, may require the person to whom the permit is issued to pay an appropriate fee to cover any costs incurred by the Architect of the Capitol as a result of the issuance of the permit.
(2)
Types of activities and fees permitted
For purposes of paragraph (1)—
(A)
commercial filmmaking and photography activity shall be considered appropriate only if the activity is similar to the types of commercial activity permitted in Union Square prior to the transfer of jurisdiction and control of Union Square to the Architect of the Capitol under section 1202 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2012 ( 2 U.S.C. 1811  note); and
(B)
a fee shall be considered appropriate only if the fee is similar to the fee collected by the Director of the National Park Service for commercial activity permitted in Union Square prior to such transfer of jurisdiction and control.
(3)
Use of fees
Immediately upon receiving any fees collected under paragraph (1)(B), the Chief shall transfer the fees to the Capitol Trust Account established under section 213(c) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2014 ( 40 U.S.C. 5102  note).
(4)
Regulations
The Chief shall carry out this subsection in accordance with such regulations as the Capitol Police Board may promulgate pursuant to the Board's authority under section 14 of the Act of July 31, 1946 ( 2 U.S.C. 1969 ), except that the Board shall promulgate the regulations in consultation with the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.
(5)
Union Square defined
In this subsection, the term  Union Square  means the area for which jurisdiction and control was transferred to the Architect of the Capitol under section 1202 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2012 ( 2 U.S.C. 1811  note).
 .
(b)
Conforming Amendment Relating to Capitol Trust Account
Section 213(c) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2014 ( 40 U.S.C. 5102  note) is amended by striking  subsection (b)(2)  each place it appears and inserting  subsection (b)(2) or section 5106(d) of title 40, United States Code .