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119-hr-9386119th Congress

United States Commission on an Open Society with Security Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

In Committee

Summary

Creates a commission to study how to balance national security with open public access to Federal buildings and spaces. It will review security practices, building design, public-space management, and technology, then recommend actions to the President and Congress.

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  • Visitors and community members: Studies how access affects free speech, civil liberties, traffic, aesthetics, and local economies.
  • Federal employees: Reviews effects on employee safety and performance and on building refurbishment and design.
  • Policymakers and agencies: May hold hearings, obtain information and security clearances, coordinate with agencies, and must deliver a final report within two years for transmission to Congress.
  • Structure and operations: A 21-member commission drawn from diverse fields may hire staff (pay capped at GS-15), accept gifts, get General Services Administration support, and is authorized $5 million for FY2027 and $5 million for FY2028.

*Authorizes $10 million in appropriations across FY2027–FY2028 to fund the Commission.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Federal commission on open access

This bill would create a 21-member Commission on an Open Society with Security. The President and congressional leaders would appoint the members and the President would name the Chair. If at least nine members are appointed within 90 days, the Chair could begin operations and hire staff, with pay capped at the daily equivalent of GS-15. The Commission would study how to balance security at Federal buildings with public access and deliver a final report to the President within two years of its first meeting. The President would have six months to send that report to Congress, and the Commission would end 90 days after the report is due. Members would not be paid but could receive travel expenses, and members and staff would need security clearances to access classified materials.

Small funding for commission work

This bill would authorize $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2028 to carry out the Commission's work. These are authorizations of appropriations; Congress would still need to appropriate the money before it could be spent.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

DC • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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