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To establish a commission to study potential uses of the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall, and for other purposes.
Summary
The bill establishes a 9-member Commission to Study Potential Uses of the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall, with members appointed by the Senate majority and minority leaders, House Speaker and minority leader, and the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents chair. The Commission must submit to the President and Congress within one year a report addressing educational institutions serving DC families, museums not currently on the National Mall, DC museums not in Smithsonian buildings, and the cost of converting the Arts and Industries Building into a modern museum. The Commission must also prepare a fund-raising plan addressing how to support the building's operation and maintenance through public contributions and admission fees without relying on federal appropriations. The Commission shall prepare legislative recommendations including proposed appropriation levels and suggestions for the building's future name. Commission members serve without federal pay but receive travel per diem, the Commission is responsible for its own funding, and it terminates 30 days after submitting its final report.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15] (R-OH)
1 cosponsor
Actions (2)
- May 14, 2026 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. · house
- May 14, 2026 Introduced in House
Similar bills (6)
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Committee action
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Meetings where this bill was on the agenda
Full text
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. <all>
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