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The PRESERVE Act requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to identify and protect publicly commissioned artwork in federal buildings that are being sold, transferred, or demolished. When the GSA determines that surplus federal property contains covered art—including pieces from New Deal programs or the GSA Art in Architecture program—it must notify Congress and establish a Preservation Committee within 90 days to develop a plan for protecting the artwork. The Preservation Committee, which must include GSA art program staff and outside experts in art conservation or history, has 90 days to submit a preservation plan that may include keeping the art in place with protective covenants, moving it to museums or nonprofits, or other preservation methods. The GSA cannot dispose of or demolish any federal property containing covered art unless it certifies that the preservation plan is being implemented and the artwork will remain publicly accessible. The bill ensures that taxpayer-funded federal art remains protected and available to the public even when federal buildings change ownership or use.

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