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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8810 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8810
To establish a commission to study potential uses of the Arts and
Industries Building on the National Mall, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 14, 2026
Mr. Carey (for himself and Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House
Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and
Infrastructure, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a commission to study potential uses of the Arts and
Industries Building on the National Mall, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``No Wasted Space Act''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--There is established the Commission to Study
Potential Uses of the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall
(hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'').
(b) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 9 members, of
whom--
(1) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the majority
leader of the Senate;
(2) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the Speaker of
the House of Representatives;
(3) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the minority
leader of the Senate;
(4) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the minority
leader of the House of Representatives; and
(5) 1 voting member, who may not be a sitting member of the
House of Representatives, Senate, or Supreme Court, shall be
appointed by the Chair of the Board of Regents of the
Smithsonian Institution.
(c) Qualifications.--Members of the Commission shall be appointed
to the Commission from among individuals, or representatives of
institutions or entities, who possess experience and familiarity with
professional museum associations, tourism for families, urban planning,
and educational institutions in the Washington, DC area.
(d) Deadline for Initial Appointment.--The initial members of the
Commission shall be appointed not later than the date that is 45 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(e) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission--
(1) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and
(2) shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment was made.
(f) Chairperson.--The Commission shall, by majority vote of all of
the voting members, select 1 member of the Commission to serve as the
Chairperson of the Commission.
(g) Prohibition.--No employee of the Federal Government may serve
as a member of the Commission.
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
(a) Submission Requirements to President and Congress.--Not later
than 1 year after the date of the first meeting of the Commission, the
Commission shall submit to the President and to Congress the report,
plan, and recommendations described in subsections (b) through (d).
(b) Report on Issues.--The Commission shall prepare a report that
addresses the following issues relating to the potential uses of the
Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall, and its environs
(hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Building''):
(1) Educational institutions currently serving families
visiting Washington, DC with high levels of success.
(2) Museums and other cultural institutions not currently
located near the National Mall.
(3) Washington, DC based museums not currently housed in
Smithsonian buildings.
(4) Tenants in Federally owned buildings impacted by
Federal office relocations.
(5) The cost of converting the Smithsonian Institution's
Arts and Industries Building into a modern museum.
(c) Fund-Raising Plan.--The Commission shall prepare a fund-raising
plan that addresses the following topics:
(1) The ability to support the operation and maintenance of
the Building through contributions from the public, including
potential charges for admission.
(2) Any potential issues with funding the operations and
maintenance of the Building in perpetuity without reliance on
appropriations of Federal funds.
(d) Legislative Recommendations.--The Commission shall prepare a
report containing recommendations regarding a legislative plan for the
operations and maintenance of the Building, which shall include each of
the following:
(1) Proposals regarding the time frame, one-time
appropriations level, and continuing appropriations levels that
might be included in such legislation.
(2) Recommendations for the future name of the Building.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
(a) Compensation.--
(1) In general.--A member of the Commission--
(A) shall not be considered to be a Federal
employee for any purpose by reason of service on the
Commission; and
(B) shall serve without pay.
(2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Commission shall be
allowed a per diem allowance for travel expenses, at rates
consistent with those authorized under subchapter I of chapter
57 of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Gifts, bequests, and devises.--The Commission may
solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or
devises of money, services, or real or personal property for
the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the
Commission. Such gifts, bequests, or devises may be from the
Building.
(b) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on the date that
is 30 days after the date on which the final versions of the report,
plan, and recommendations required under section 3 are submitted.
(c) Funding.--The Commission shall be solely responsible for
acceptance of contributions for, and payment of the expenses of, the
Commission.
(d) Director and Staff of Commission.--
(1) Director and staff.--
(A) In general.--The Commission may employ and
compensate an executive director and any other
additional personnel that are necessary to enable the
Commission to perform the duties of the Commission.
(B) Rates of pay.--Rates of pay for persons
employed under subparagraph (A) shall be consistent
with the rates of pay allowed for employees of a
temporary organization under section 3161 of title 5,
United States Code.
(2) Not federal employment.--Any individual employed under
this subsection shall not be considered a Federal employee for
the purpose of any law governing Federal employment.
(3) Technical assistance.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), on
request of the Commission, the head of a Federal agency
shall provide technical assistance to the Commission.
(B) Prohibition.--No Federal employees may be
detailed to the Commission.
(4) Volunteer services.--Notwithstanding section 1342 of
title 31, United States Code, the Commission may accept and use
voluntary and uncompensated services as the Commission
determines necessary.
(e) Administrative Support Services.--Upon request of the
Commission, the Administrator of the General Services Administration
shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the
administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry
out its responsibilities under this Act. The involvement of the General
Services Administration shall be limited to providing administrative
support to the Commission, and such involvement shall terminate upon
termination of the Commission.
(f) Meeting Location.--The Commission may meet virtually or in
person.
(g) Appointment Delays.--The Commission may begin to meet and carry
out activities under this Act before all members of the Commission have
been appointed if--
(1) 90 days have passed since the date of the enactment of
this Act; and
(2) a majority of the members of the Commission have been
appointed.
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