H.R. 7162, introduced January 20, 2026 by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, would amend title 40 of the United States Code to permit commercial filmmaking and photography on the United States Capitol Grounds. The bill authorizes the Capitol Police Chief to issue permits for such activities when Congress is not in session, subject to specified conditions and fees.
New permissive authority (Capitol Grounds): Adds a new subsection (d) to 40 U.S.C. § 5106 granting the Chief of the United States Capitol Police the authority to issue permits for commercial filmmaking and photography on most Capitol Grounds, with certain restrictions.
Temporal restriction: Permits may be issued only during periods when neither House of Congress is in session.
Fees to cover costs: Permittees may be required to pay a fee, intended to cover costs incurred by the Architect of the Capitol.
Scope of permissible activity: The activities must be “appropriate” commercial filmmaking and photography, defined to align with historical practice in Union Square prior to the transfer of jurisdiction to the Architect of the Capitol (as referenced by 2 U.S.C. 1811 note and 2012 actions).
Fee benchmarking: The acceptable fee level should be similar to:
- The fees for commercial activity permitted in Union Square before jurisdiction transfer, and
- The fees collected by the Director of the National Park Service for similar activities in Union Square prior to that transfer.
Use of collected fees: Fees collected under the new subsection must be transferred immediately to the Capitol Trust Fund (Capitol Trust Account) established under the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2014 (40 U.S.C. 5102 note).
Regulatory framework: The Chief must implement the new authority in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Capitol Police Board, but in consultation with:
- House Committee on Administration, and
- Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.
Union Square definition: The term “Union Square” is clarified as the area whose jurisdiction and control were transferred to the Architect of the Capitol under the 2012 Legislative Branch appropriations act.
Conforming amendment: The bill also adjusts cross-references in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2014 to reflect the addition of 40 U.S.C. § 5106(d).
