PRIA Logo™
119-hr-8810119th Congress

No Wasted Space Act

Sponsored By: Representative Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]

Introduced

Summary

Would establish a nine-member commission to study potential uses for the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building. The commission would produce a report to the President and Congress within one year of its first meeting and recommend plans for use, fundraising, and any needed legislation to convert the building into a modern museum.

Show full summary
  • Families and visitors: The commission would evaluate educational and family-focused uses for visitors to Washington, DC and consider fundraising options that could include admission charges.
  • Museums and cultural institutions: It would identify museums not currently near the National Mall and Washington, DC based museums not housed in Smithsonian buildings as potential tenants or partners.
  • Federal tenants: The study would examine effects on tenants in federally owned buildings that could be impacted by office relocations.
  • Funding and operations: The commission must prepare a fund-raising plan and a legislative plan that may recommend a one-time appropriation and continuing appropriations levels.
  • Commission structure: The body would have 9 voting members appointed by congressional leaders and the Smithsonian Board Chair, bar federal employees from serving, hire staff, accept gifts, and terminate 30 days after delivering final reports.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Commission pay, fundraising, and support

If enacted, the bill would let commission members receive per diem travel pay at federal rates while serving. The commission could hire an executive director and staff and set pay consistent with temporary organization rules; those hires would not be Federal employees. The commission could accept gifts, bequests, and property to pay its expenses and take voluntary unpaid help. The General Services Administration could provide administrative support if the commission repays costs. Federal agencies could give technical help on request, but no Federal employees could be detailed to the commission.

Who runs the Arts Building study

If enacted, the bill would set the commission at nine voting members named by Congressional leaders and one appointee by the Smithsonian Board Chair. Members must have museum, tourism, urban planning, or local education experience. Initial members must be appointed within 45 days after enactment and Federal employees may not serve. The commission must pick a chair by majority vote. Vacancies would not stop the commission, and it could meet in person or online and begin work early under specified conditions.

Study and report on Arts Building

If enacted, the bill would create a commission to study new uses for the Arts and Industries Building. The commission would send a report, plan, and recommendations to the President and Congress within 1 year after its first meeting. The report must include a fund-raising plan that addresses operation costs, possible admission charges, and the cost to convert the building into a modern museum. The commission would end 30 days after it submits the final report, plan, and recommendations.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]

OH • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation