New Bill Opens Capitol Grounds for Commercial Filming, But Only When Congress Isn't Working

This bill amends federal law to allow commercial filmmaking and photography on the United States Capitol Grounds, a change from the current restrictions. Essentially, if a production company wants to shoot a movie scene or a big commercial with the Capitol Dome in the background, they now have a path to get a permit. The catch? Filming is strictly limited to times when neither the House nor the Senate is actually in session. This is a key provision (Section 5106 of title 40), designed to prevent disruption of legislative work.

The Permit Process: Who’s the Gatekeeper?

The authority to issue these permits falls to the Chief of the United States Capitol Police. This isn't a free pass, though. The Chief is authorized to charge a fee to cover any costs incurred by the Architect of the Capitol for managing the activity. Think of it like paying a venue rental fee to cover security, clean-up, and wear and tear. This ensures that taxpayers aren't footing the bill for a commercial enterprise.

Setting the Price: A Blast from the Past

When it comes to deciding what kind of commercial activity is appropriate and how much the fee should be, the bill mandates a look backward. The rules must be similar to the types of commercial activity and fees that were in place for Union Square before its jurisdiction was transferred to the Architect of the Capitol back in 2012. This is an interesting detail because it ties the new policy to a historical precedent set by the National Park Service (NPS), aiming for continuity rather than inventing a new fee structure from scratch. For a production company, this means the cost should be predictable, based on what the NPS used to charge for similar access.

Following the Money: Where Fees Go

Any money collected from these permits doesn't just sit in a general fund. The Chief of the Capitol Police must immediately transfer the fees into the Capitol Trust Account. This account is designed to support the Capitol complex, so the money generated from commercial filming will be reinvested directly back into the grounds themselves. This provides a clear funding mechanism for the administration and maintenance related to the increased commercial access.

The Real-World Impact: Lights, Camera, Administration

For the film industry, this bill creates a clear, regulated path to access one of the most iconic backdrops in the country, which is a major benefit. For the rest of us, the immediate impact is mostly administrative. However, there is a possibility that the Capitol Grounds, a public space, might feel slightly more commercialized, especially during Congressional recesses when filming is permitted. The Capitol Police Board, in consultation with the House and Senate administrative committees, will be creating the specific regulations. How they define “similar to the types of commercial activity” allowed previously will be crucial, as it determines just how much commercial presence we’ll see on the grounds.