Nine-member commission would study future of vacant Smithsonian building on the Mall

What does this do?

HR 8810 establishes a nine-member commission to research and recommend future uses for the Arts and Industries Building, a historic but largely vacant Smithsonian building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The commission has up to one year to produce a report on potential occupants, a fundraising plan aimed at financial self-sufficiency, and formal recommendations for Congress including possible costs and a potential new name. The bill does not change anything about the building immediately.

Who does it affect?

Commission members are selected by congressional leaders from both parties and by the Smithsonian Institution, and must have backgrounds in museums, education, tourism, or urban planning. Federal policymakers, the Smithsonian, museums and cultural organizations, Washington D.C. residents, and National Mall visitors are the primary parties affected.

Why does it matter?

The commission's work could give Congress concrete options for activating a building that has been underused for years, potentially bringing cultural institutions or educational programming to the National Mall. The outcome depends entirely on what the commission recommends and whether Congress chooses to act on those recommendations.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Members serve without pay
• Travel reimbursement allowed
• Funded by donations, not taxpayer budget line