On July 14, Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) introduced the Protecting Resources and Ensuring Stewardship of Enduring Records of Visual Expression (PRESERVE) Act that would establish a procedure to ensure that publicly commissioned art is protected and preserved during the federal building disposal process.

The bill would require the General Services Administration (GSA) to, among other things, convene a committee of experts to develop and implement a plan to preserve publicly commissioned artwork of buildings included in the disposal process and ensure artwork is accessible to the public.

The National Trust endorsed this legislation, and we hope Congress will ensure passage of this bill that would help preserve iconic historic resources at federal buildings.

"We applaud Representatives Titus and Doggett for their leadership introducing the PRESERVE Act and proudly endorse this critical legislation that would preserve one of our nation's largest publicly commissioned art collections held in federal buildings nationwide," said Brent Leggs, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "As some federal buildings are decommissioned or sold over time, the PRESERVE Act would mandate the protection of the irreplaceable artworks they hold, ensuring the memory and stories they tell about who we are as a nation are publicly accessible for future generations. We look forward to Congress ensuring passage of this legislation."