(a) Commercial Filming Fee.—
(1) In general.—The Secretary shall require a permit and shall establish a reasonable fee for commercial filming activities or similar projects in a System unit. The fee shall provide a fair return to the United States and shall be based on the following criteria:
(A) The number of days the filming activity or similar project takes place in the System unit.
(B) The size of the film crew present in the System unit.
(C) The amount and type of equipment present in the System unit.
(2) Other factors.—The Secretary may include other factors in determining an appropriate fee as the Secretary considers necessary.
Terms Used In 54 USC 100905
- Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
(b) Recovery of Costs.—The Secretary shall collect any costs incurred as a result of filming activities or similar projects, including administrative and personnel costs. All costs recovered shall be in addition to the fee assessed in subsection (a).
(c) Still Photography.—
(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall not require a permit or assess a fee for still photography in a System unit if the photography takes place where members of the public are generally allowed. The Secretary may require a permit, assess a fee, or both, if the photography takes place at other locations where members of the public are generally not allowed, or where additional administrative costs are likely.
(2) Exception.—The Secretary shall require and shall establish a reasonable fee for still photography that uses models or props that are not a part of the site’s natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities.
(d) Protection of Resources.—The Secretary shall not permit any filming, still photography or other related activity if the Secretary determines that—
(1) there is a likelihood of resource damage;
(2) there would be an unreasonable disruption of the public’s use and enjoyment of the site; or
(3) the activity poses health or safety risks to the public.
(e) Use of Proceeds.—
(1) Fees.—All fees collected under this section shall be available for expenditure by the Secretary, without further appropriation and shall remain available until expended.
(2) Costs.—All costs recovered under this section shall be available for expenditure by the Secretary, without further appropriation, at the site where the costs are collected and shall remain available until expended.
(f) Processing of Permit Applications.—The Secretary shall establish a process to ensure that the Secretary responds in a timely manner to permit applicants for commercial filming, still photography, or other activity.
