Bill would set annual fees for filming on public lands, as opposed to current daily fees

National Geographic shoots in Yellowstone

It could soon be easier, and cheaper, for journalists, film crews, and filmmakers to film on public lands. A House bill would charge an annual fee of $200 for camera crews of five or fewer people, amending rules set by the Agriculture and Interior secretaries, reports Agri-Pulse, a Washington newsletter. Yellowstone National Park charges crews of three to 10 people $150 per day. Other parks charge similar fees.

The bill would prohibits the agencies "from assessing any additional fee for commercial filming activities and similar projects that occur in those areas during those hours," according to the bill's language. It would also bar them "from prohibiting, as a motorized vehicle or under any other purposes, the use of cameras or related equipment used for commercial filming activities or similar projects in accordance with this Act on federal lands and waterways administered by the Secretary."

Rep. Robert Latta (R-Ohio), who introduced the bill, testified in August before a subcommittee that the current laws “place a severe burden on individual journalists and small film crews. This bill is needed to ensure that public lands are open to being filmed for enjoyment by all Americans. In some instances, small crews, such as a cameraman following an elk hunter in a national forest, [are] being treated the same as a major Hollywood production with exorbitant fees and regulations.”

A Congressional Budget Office "score released last week, however, indicates the legislation might not do as much heavy lifting as the Ohio congressman indicated," Agri-Pulse reports. CBO said it "expects that, under the bill, certain film crews would pay less than the amounts required under current law and others would pay more." Agri-Pulse is subscription only, but can be accessed by clicking here.