Commercial Filming and Photography on Federal Lands (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised March 11, 2015 |
| Report Number |
R43267 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Laura B. Comay, Analyst in Natural Resources Policy |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Commercial filmmakers, videographers, and photographers often seek to use federal lands as\r locations for their works. A 2000 law (P.L. 106-206, 16 U.S.C. 460l-6d) directed the Secretaries\r of the Interior and Agriculture to require permits and develop a consistent fee structure for\r commercial filming and photography on federal lands. In August 2013, the Department of the\r Interior (DOI) published a final rule governing filming and photography permits for the Bureau of\r Land Management (BLM), the National Park Service (NPS), and the Fish and Wildlife Service\r (FWS). The Bureau of Reclamation also has announced its intent to amend its regulations on\r commercial filming and photography to accord with those of the other DOI agencies. The Forest\r Service (FS), in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, already had in place a regulatory policy for\r film and photography permits, but it joined with DOI in releasing-also in August 2013-a\r proposed fee schedule that would set uniform fees for commercial filming and photography\r across federal lands.\r The 114th Congress may review the 2013 permit regulations and proposed fee schedule. One issue\r is whether the fees are set appropriately for smaller-scale filmmakers and photographers. S. 405\r and S. 556 would establish special rules for small film crews that in some cases could result in\r lower fees than those proposed by the agencies. Congress also may consider issues such as\r whether the fees provide a "fair return" to the nation, as required by P.L. 106-206, and whether\r the regulations align with broader government goals to streamline procedures, reduce paperwork,\r and increase efficiency.
