HCONRES73-119

What This Bill Does

This concurrent resolution authorizes two law-enforcement memorial events on the Capitol Grounds. It permits the National Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary to sponsor the 45th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on May 15, 2026, or another date jointly designated by the House Speaker and the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, with preparation beginning May 7 and takedown completed May 17. The service honors law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty during 2025. It also permits the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition on May 14, 2026, or another jointly designated date, so law enforcement representatives can demonstrate Honor Guard programs and provide a bagpipe exhibition. The events must be free and open to the public, arranged not to interfere with Congress, and run under conditions set by the Architect of the Capitol and Capitol Police Board. Sponsors assume all expenses and liabilities, may erect stages, sound equipment, and related structures with Architect approval, and the Capitol Police Board must enforce Capitol Grounds restrictions.

Who Benefits and How

Families of officers killed in the line of duty during 2025 benefit because the Memorial Service receives official Capitol Grounds authorization. The National Fraternal Order of Police benefits because it can sponsor both events at the Capitol. The Fraternal Order of Police auxiliary benefits from the same sponsor authority. Honor Guard units and pipe band participants benefit because they receive an authorized Capitol venue for demonstrations. The public benefits because both events must be free of admission charge and open to the public. Law enforcement agencies benefit from national recognition of fallen officers and ceremonial programs.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The National Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary must assume full responsibility for expenses and liabilities tied to the events. The Architect of the Capitol must prescribe conditions and approve structures, stages, sound equipment, and related installations. The Capitol Police Board must prescribe conditions and enforce Capitol Grounds restrictions on sales, advertisements, displays, solicitations, and other rules. Event organizers must avoid interference with congressional needs and complete takedown by the required date.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes Capitol Grounds use for the 45th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.
• Authorizes Capitol Grounds use for the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition.
• Requires the events to be free, public, and arranged not to interfere with Congress.
• Requires sponsors to assume all expenses and liabilities.
• Authorizes temporary stages, sound systems, and related structures with Architect approval.
• Directs the Capitol Police Board to enforce Capitol Grounds restrictions.