[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5254 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5254
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 17, 2026
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement
with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation to host private events in Gateway
Arch National Park buildings, 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 ``Gateway Partnership Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the Gateway
Arch Park Foundation, a nonprofit organization that serves as
the official philanthropic partner of the Park.
(2) Park.--The term ``Park'' means Gateway Arch National
Park.
(3) Park building.--The term ``Park building'' means--
(A) the Arch Visitor Center;
(B) the Old Courthouse; and
(C) any other building administered or managed by
the Secretary as part of the Park that is open to the
public.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 3. GATEWAY ARCH NATIONAL PARK PARTNER AGREEMENT PILOT PROJECT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, in accordance with subsection (b),
may enter into a one-time agreement for a period not to exceed five
years with the Foundation to host private events at the Park, which may
include the use of Park buildings.
(b) Terms and Conditions.--An agreement entered into under
subsection (a) shall include terms and conditions to protect the
resources and values of the Park, including--
(1) dates and times during which the Foundation may be the
exclusive organization that holds a special event in specified
Park buildings;
(2)(A) the maximum number of events that can be held per
month; and
(B) appropriate National Park Service staffing levels
necessary to ensure public safety and resource protection
during such events;
(3) liability insurance in an amount sufficient to protect
the interests of the United States that lists the United States
as additionally insured;
(4) a provision stating that the Federal Government and
agents and employees of the Federal Government will not be held
liable for claims for damages or suits for any injuries or
deaths from any cause resulting from the occupancy and use of
specified Park buildings by the Foundation;
(5) a provision allowing for the modification or
cancellation of the terms and conditions of the agreement,
except that any modified agreement shall still comply with the
terms and conditions described in subparagraphs (1) through
(4); and
(6) any other terms and conditions as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
(c) Use.--Private events hosted at the Park or in Park buildings
through an agreement entered into under subsection (a)--
(1) shall be limited to activities--
(A) consistent with the purposes of the Park; and
(B) compatible with National Park Service programs;
(2) shall not include activities that degrade the
integrity, appearance, or purposes of the Park; and
(3) shall not take place during times or in locations that
prevent or disrupt public use or access to the Park or Park
buildings.
(d) Recovery of Costs.--In entering into an agreement under
subsection (a), the Secretary--
(1) shall charge a fee to cover the cost of maintaining the
Park and Park buildings with respect to wear and tear resulting
from the private events; and
(2) notwithstanding any other provision of law, may recover
all costs incurred as a result of the private events and use of
the Park and Park buildings, including maintenance, utilities,
administrative expenses, security, and personnel costs.
(e) National Park Service-Sponsored Events.--Nothing in this Act
prevents the National Park Service from hosting events or issuing
permits to other individuals or entities for special events or
otherwise, as appropriate, in the Park or Park buildings.
(f) Sunset.--
(1) In general.--The authority to enter into and carry out
an agreement with the Foundation pursuant to this Act shall
sunset on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment
of this Act.
(2) Effect on existing agreement.--Any existing agreement
entered into under this section shall terminate,
notwithstanding any terms within such agreement, on the date
that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(g) Saving Clause.--Nothing in this Act affects any other authority
of the Secretary to issue special use permits or agreements.
(h) Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate a report evaluating the implementation of this
Act, including the--
(1) operational impacts of the agreement on visitor access,
security, staffing, and facilities management; and
(2) financial implications of the agreement, including fees
collected and costs recovered.
Passed the House of Representatives March 16, 2026.
Attest:
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,
Clerk.