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
To establish a commission to study potential uses of the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall, and for other purposes.
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.