54 U.S.C. § 100905 — Filming and still photography in System units

(a) Filming and Still Photography.
(1) In general. The Secretary^* must make sure that any filming or still photography activity — or similar project — in a System unit^*, and the way it's authorized or permitted, follows (A) the laws and policies that apply to the Service^*, and (B) the unit's general management plan.
(2) No permits required. The Secretary cannot require an authorization or permit, or charge a fee (unless some other law already requires one), for a filming or photography activity that either: (A) involves fewer than 6 people and meets all the requirements listed in paragraph (5); or (B) is merely incidental to, or just documents, an activity or event that is already allowed or authorized at the unit — no matter how many people are involved in that underlying activity, and no matter whether anyone gets paid for the photos or footage.
(3) Filming and still photography authorizations for de minimis use.
(A) In general. The Secretary must create a "de minimis use authorization" for certain small filming or photography activities that meet the requirements in (F) below.
(B) Policy. For an activity that meets those requirements, the Secretary may require this de minimis authorization but cannot require a full permit.
(C) No fee. The Secretary cannot charge a fee for a de minimis use authorization.
(D) Access. The Secretary must let the public apply for and get a de minimis authorization either through the Service's website or in person at the unit's field office.
(E) Issuances. The Secretary must set up a process to automatically approve website applications, and to immediately issue an authorization once an in-person application is received — as long as the application meets the requirements.
(F) Requirements. The Secretary can only issue a de minimis authorization if the activity: involves a group of 6 to 8 people; meets all the requirements in paragraph (5); and fits with the resource-protection rules in subsection (c).
(G) Contents. Every de minimis authorization must list the requirements from (F).
(4) Required permits.
(A) In general. Except for activities covered by paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary may require a permit application — and, if a permit is issued, charge a reasonable fee under subsection (b)(1) — for a filming or photography activity that involves more than 8 people, or that doesn't meet the requirements in paragraph (5).
(B) Wilderness Act clarification. Nothing in this subsection is meant to, or should be read to, conflict with the Wilderness Act of 1964.
(5) Requirements for filming or still photography activity. These are the requirements that paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (7) all refer back to. A filming or photography activity meets them only if:
(A) it does not get in the way of other visitors' experience; does not disturb or harm a natural or cultural resource, or an environmental or scenic value, unless otherwise allowed; and lets facilities be shared fairly;
(B) it happens somewhere the public is allowed to be;
(C) it does not require exclusive use of any site or area;
(D) it does not happen in a spot that gets very heavy visitor traffic;
(E) it does not use a set or staging equipment — though handheld gear like a tripod, monopod, or handheld light does not count as staging equipment;
(F) it follows the unit's visitor-use policies, practices, and regulations;
(G) the Secretary determines it is not likely to create extra administrative costs; and
(H) it follows other applicable federal, state, and local laws, including rules about drones.
(6) Content creation. No matter how the result will be shared, any video, photo, or audio recording made for commercial or noncommercial content in a unit counts as a filming or still photography activity under this subsection.
(7) Effect.
(A) Permits requested though not required. Even when a permit isn't required, the Secretary may still issue one if someone asks for it.
(B) No additional permits, commercial use authorizations, or fees for filming and still photography at authorized events. Filming or photography at an already-allowed event — such as a wedding, engagement party, family reunion, or graduation celebration — is treated as "merely incidental" under paragraph (2)(B), so it needs no separate permit, authorization, or fee.
(C) Monetary compensation. Whether or not the photographer or filmmaker gets paid does not affect whether the activity is allowed.

(b) Fees and Recovery Costs.
(1) Fees. Any reasonable fee charged under subsection (a)(4) must give the United States a fair return, and must be based on how many days the activity lasts, how large the crew is, how much and what kind of equipment is present, and any other factor the Secretary decides matters.
(2) Recovery of costs. The Secretary must also collect, from the permit applicant, any costs the Secretary incurs handling the permit — including reviewing and issuing it, and related administrative and personnel costs. These recovered costs come on top of, not instead of, the fee from paragraph (1).
(3) Use of proceeds. Both the fees collected and the costs recovered are available for the Secretary to spend without further appropriation, and both stay available until spent; recovered costs must be spent at the unit where they were collected.

(c) Protection of Resources. The Secretary must not allow a filming or photography activity if the Secretary decides it would likely damage the unit's resources (except where otherwise authorized), would unreasonably disrupt the public's use and enjoyment of the unit, or would pose a health or safety risk to the public.

(d) Processing of Permit Applications.
(1) In general. The Secretary must set up a process to respond to permit applications for filming or photography activities in a timely way.
(2) Coordination. If a permit is needed involving two or more federal agencies or units, the Secretary and the other agency heads must coordinate their permit processes as much as practical — including by naming one lead agency or unit to review the application, issue the permit, and collect any fees.