Gateway Partnership Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5254) 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, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5254

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.

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Mr. WITTMAN. 5254, the bill now under consideration.

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Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5254, the Gateway Partnership Act. This is bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representatives Bell and Wagner of Missouri. This bill creates an innovative new model for public-private partnerships at our national parks by authorizing the National Park Service to enter into an agreement with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation to host events and community programming at Gateway Arch National Park.

Gateway Arch towers over the city of St. Louis, Missouri, and welcomes millions of visitors each year to the first city built across the Mississippi River. With its silver curve soaring over 600-feet high across the riverbank, Gateway Arch serves as a reminder of the grit and bravery our Nation's early pioneers showed when they left all that they had and all that they knew behind to venture out toward the American West. The arch also links America's original pioneer spirit of the past with the drive to forge new futures today.

Recently, the park's main philanthropic partnership, the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, completed a trailblazing, multimillion-dollar public- private partnership that reconnected the city and waterfront area and created a new visitor center and green spaces. It also revitalized historic buildings around Gateway Arch.

H.R. 5254 helps ensure that these newly renovated facilities, such as the Old Courthouse and Arch Visitor Center, are used to their full potential by allowing the foundation to host events in these spaces.

Allowing the foundation to fully utilize these facilities would not only create new jobs but also generate an estimated $780,000 in additional revenue for the park. H.R. 5254 does this while maintaining strict guardrails around the usage of the park to ensure public access is not impeded and no park resources are damaged during these events.

The bill is narrow, limited, and bipartisan. It is a commonsense way to leverage private expertise and local investment to strengthen a signature national park and generate new revenue to support its operation.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 5254, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, by creating a time-limited pilot program allowing private philanthropic partners to host events at park facilities, H.R. 5254 creates an innovative new model for improved public access, better visitor experience, and new revenue streams to support park operations.

This bill will create jobs, boost the local economy, and provide new opportunities to celebrate America's 250th birthday at one of the most iconic national park destinations in the Midwest.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5254, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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