H.R. 5254: Gateway Partnership Act
Sponsor
Wesley Bell
Democrat · MO-1
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 17, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
Private events at the Arch face a hard sunset
Why it matters
This bill would let Gateway Arch National Park host private events through its nonprofit partner for up to 5 years, with a required review after 4 years and all authority ending after 7. That means more fundraising options at the Arch and Old Courthouse, but only under rules meant to protect public access and make the foundation cover event-related costs.
H.R. 5254 creates a one-time pilot for Gateway Arch National Park. The Interior Department could sign a single agreement with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, letting it host private events in places like the Arch Visitor Center and the Old Courthouse for up to 5 years.
The bill does not give the foundation open-ended control. The agreement has to spell out when exclusive events can happen, how many can happen each month, and how much National Park Service staffing is needed for safety and resource protection.
The measure also says private events cannot interfere with the park's core purpose. Events must fit the park's mission, cannot damage its appearance or integrity, and cannot happen at times or in places that block or disrupt public access.
On costs, the bill requires the government to charge for wear and tear and allows it to recover other event-related expenses, including security, utilities, administrative work, and personnel. The foundation would also have to carry liability insurance naming the United States as additionally insured.
Congress built in an expiration date. The pilot authority ends 7 years after enactment, and the Interior Department must send Congress a report within 4 years covering visitor access, staffing, security, and whether fees actually covered the costs.
H.R. 5254 Bill Summary
What H.R. 5254 actually does.
A temporary test for private events at the Arch
The Interior Department could sign one agreement with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation for private events lasting no more than 5 years.
The Arch Visitor Center and Old Courthouse are included
The pilot can cover the Arch Visitor Center, the Old Courthouse, and other public park buildings managed as part of Gateway Arch National Park.
Exclusive events get time limits and monthly caps
Any agreement must set the dates and times for exclusive events and set a maximum number of events per month.
Public access stays protected on paper
Events must match the park's purpose, cannot damage the park's integrity or appearance, and cannot prevent or disrupt public use of the park or its buildings.
The foundation has to cover event-related costs
The government must charge for wear and tear and may recover other costs tied to events, including maintenance, utilities, security, administrative expenses, and personnel.
Insurance is required and federal liability is limited
The foundation must carry liability insurance that protects U.S. interests and names the United States as additionally insured, while the bill says the federal government is not liable for injuries or deaths tied to the foundation's use.
Congress gets a report before the pilot expires
The Interior Department must report within 4 years on visitor access, security, staffing, facilities management, fees collected, and costs recovered, and the whole authority ends after 7 years.
Who benefits from H.R. 5254?
Gateway Arch Park Foundation
The foundation gets a rare chance to host exclusive private events inside one of St. Louis's most recognizable public spaces for up to 5 years.
National Park Service managers at Gateway Arch
Park officials keep control over when events happen, how many can happen each month, and what staffing is needed to protect visitors and the site.
Visitors who want the park to stay public
Visitors get written guardrails saying private events cannot damage the park or block regular public access, plus a congressional review within 4 years.
Federal taxpayers
Taxpayers benefit if cost recovery works as intended, because the bill requires charges for wear and tear and allows recovery of security, staffing, utility, and administrative costs.
Who is affected by H.R. 5254?
People visiting the Arch or Old Courthouse
You could occasionally find parts of these public buildings reserved for exclusive events, even though the bill says those events cannot prevent or disrupt public access.
National Park Service staff
Staff would need to plan around event schedules, provide safety and resource protection, and track whether the government is recovering its full costs.
Private event clients working through the foundation
These users could gain access to high-profile federal spaces, but only through a limited pilot with monthly caps, government oversight, and a fixed sunset.
Other groups seeking permits
Other organizations are still in the mix because the bill says the National Park Service can keep hosting its own events and issuing permits to others.
What Congress Is Saying
H.R. 5254 has come up 6 times in the Congressional Record so far.
H.R. 5254 also appeared in 1 more House floor reference.
HR5254 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Mar 17, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
House: Vote: 2519-2520
Mar 16, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2519-2520)
House: Committee Action
Mar 2, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-536.
House: Passed Committee
Jan 22, 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
+2 more actions this day
House: Committee Action
Dec 2, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
House: Committee Action
Nov 25, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
House: Committee Action
Sep 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
About the Sponsor
Wesley Bell
Democrat, Missouri's 1st congressional district · 1 years in Congress
Committees: Oversight and Government Reform, Armed Services
View full profile →
Cosponsors (2)
This bill has 2 cosponsors: 1 Democrat, 1 Republican, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 2 states: Illinois, Missouri.
Committee Sponsors
Energy and Natural Resources Committee
0 of 20 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Natural Resources Committee
0 of 45 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
28 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 5254 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Introduced
- Sep 10, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Mar 17, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill page with text, actions, sponsors, and status for the Gateway Partnership Act.
Official National Park Service page for Gateway Arch National Park, the site where the bill's pilot project would allow private events.
Official Department of the Interior homepage for the department whose Secretary would be authorized to enter into the pilot agreement.
Official House committee site for one of the committees that would receive the required implementation report under the bill.
Official Senate committee site for the other committee that would receive the bill's required report on operational and financial impacts.
H.R. 5254 Common Questions
Would H.R. 5254 let private events happen at the Gateway Arch?
Yes. H.R. 5254 would let the Interior Department approve a one-time pilot agreement for private events at Gateway Arch National Park, including certain park buildings.
Which Gateway Arch buildings could be used for private events?
The bill names the Arch Visitor Center and the Old Courthouse, plus other public park buildings managed as part of Gateway Arch National Park.
Could private events block visitors from the park?
The bill says they cannot. Events could not happen at times or in places that prevent or disrupt public use of or access to the park or its buildings.
How long would the Gateway Arch event pilot last?
The agreement itself could last up to 5 years, and the bill's authority ends 7 years after enactment. After that, any existing agreement would end too.
Does H.R. 5254 limit how many private events can happen?
Yes. Any agreement must set a maximum number of events per month, along with the dates, times, and staffing needed for safety and resource protection.
Who pays for security, staffing, and wear and tear?
The bill says the government must charge for wear and tear and may recover other costs from private events, including security, personnel, utilities, maintenance, and administrative expenses.
Would the foundation need insurance for these events?
Yes. H.R. 5254 requires liability insurance sufficient to protect U.S. interests, and the United States must be listed as additionally insured.
Would this stop the National Park Service from issuing other event permits?
No. The bill says the National Park Service could still host its own events and issue permits to other people or organizations.
Based on H.R. 5254 bill text
H.R. 5254 Bill Text
“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.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
Get notified when H.R. 5254 moves
Committee votes, floor action, cosponsor changes — straight to your inbox.
Bill alerts + Legisletter's monthly briefing. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public Lands and Natural Resources Bills
9 related bills we're tracking
Arctic Refuge Protection Act
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Apr 29, 2025
Save Our Forests Act of 2025
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
May 21, 2025
Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-58.
Dec 18, 2025
Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 438.
Feb 23, 2026
MAWS Act of 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Mar 18, 2026
Captain Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo Young Fishermen’s Development Act
Received in the Senate.
Mar 4, 2026
Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mar 4, 2026
National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Extension Act
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mar 17, 2026
Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Oct 14, 2025
Trending Right Now
Bills gaining momentum across Congress
AADAPT Act
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.
May 21, 2026
Buying American Cotton Act of 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Jan 22, 2026
West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
Apr 28, 2025
Tracking Public Lands and Natural Resources in Congress? Monitor bills, track cosponsor momentum, and launch advocacy campaigns — all from one advocacy platform.