[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9987 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9987
To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a
National Museum of Italian American History and Culture, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 11, 2024
Mr. Suozzi (for himself, Mr. Amodei, and Ms. Bonamici) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration,
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of
the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a
National Museum of Italian American History and Culture, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Commission To Study the Potential of
a National Museum of Italian American History and Culture Act''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--There is established the Commission to Study the
Potential Creation of a National Museum of Italian American History and
Culture (in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'').
(b) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 8 members, of
whom--
(1) 2 members shall be appointed by the majority leader of
the Senate;
(2) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives;
(3) 2 members shall be appointed by the minority leader of
the Senate; and
(4) 2 members shall be appointed by the minority leader of
the House of Representatives.
(c) Qualifications.--Members of the Commission shall be appointed
to the Commission from among individuals, or representatives of
institutions or entities, who possess--
(1) a demonstrated commitment to the research, study, or
promotion of Italian American history, art, political or
economic status, or culture;
(2) expertise or experience in--
(A) museum administration;
(B) fundraising for nonprofit or cultural
institutions;
(C) the study and teaching of Italian American
history;
(D) studying the issue of the representation of
Italian Americans in art, life, history, and culture at
the Smithsonian Institution; or
(E) public or elected service that is extensive;
(3) experience in the administration of, or the planning
for, the establishment of, museums; or
(4) experience in the planning, design, or construction of
museum facilities.
(d) Deadline for Initial Appointment.--Not later than the date that
is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the initial members
of the Commission shall be appointed under subsection (b).
(e) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission--
(1) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and
(2) shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment was made under subsection (b).
(f) Chairperson.--The Commission shall, by majority vote of all of
the members, select 1 member of the Commission to serve as the
Chairperson of the Commission.
(g) Prohibition.--No employee of the Federal Government may serve
as a member of the Commission.
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Reports.--
(1) Plan of action.--The Commission shall submit to the
President and Congress a report containing the recommendations
of the Commission with respect to a plan of action regarding
the feasibility of establishing and maintaining a National
Museum of Italian American History and Culture in Washington,
DC, and the environs of such museum (in this Act referred to as
the ``Museum'').
(2) Report on issues.--The Commission shall submit to the
President and Congress a report that addresses the following:
(A) The availability and cost of collections to be
acquired and housed in the Museum.
(B) The impact of the Museum on existing Italian
American history-related museums.
(C) The development of criteria, in consultation
with the Smithsonian Institution, for evaluating
possible locations for the Museum in Washington, DC,
and the environs of such Museum.
(D) The feasibility of the Museum becoming part of
the Smithsonian Institution, taking into account the
potential impact of the Museum on the Smithsonian's
existing facilities maintenance backlog, collections
storage needs, and identified construction or
renovation costs for new or existing museums.
(E) The governance and organizational structure
from which the Museum should operate.
(F) Best practices for engaging Italian Americans
in the development and design of the Museum.
(G) The cost of constructing, operating, and
maintaining the Museum.
(3) Deadline.--Not later than the date that is 18 months
after the date of the first meeting of the Commission, the
Commission shall submit the reports required under paragraphs
(1) and (2).
(b) Fundraising Plan.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall develop a fundraising
plan that shall address the ability to support the
establishment, operation, and maintenance of the Museum through
contributions from the public.
(2) Considerations.--In developing the fundraising plan
under paragraph (1), the Commission shall consider issues
relating to funding the operations and maintenance of the
Museum in perpetuity without reliance on appropriations of
Federal funds.
(3) Independent review.--
(A) In general.--The Commission shall obtain an
independent review of the viability of the plan
developed under paragraph (1).
(B) Contents.--The independent review under
subparagraph (A) shall include an analysis as to
whether the plan is able to achieve the level of
resources necessary to fund the construction of the
Museum and the operations and maintenance of the Museum
in perpetuity without reliance on appropriations of
Federal funds.
(4) Submission.--The Commission shall submit to the
Committees on House Administration, Natural Resources, and
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the
Committees on Rules and Administration, Energy and Natural
Resources, and Appropriations of the Senate the plan developed
under paragraph (1) and the review conducted under paragraph
(3).
(c) Legislation To Carry Out Plan of Action.--Based on the
recommendations contained in the report submitted under paragraphs (1)
and (2) of subsection (a), the Commission shall submit for
consideration to the Committees on House Administration, Natural
Resources, and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the
Committees on Rules and Administration, Energy and Natural Resources,
and Appropriations of the Senate recommendations for a legislative plan
of action on the feasibility of establishing and constructing the
Museum.
(d) National Conference.--Not later than 18 months after the date
on which the initial members of the Commission are appointed under
section 2(b), the Commission may, in carrying out the duties of the
Commission under this section, convene a national conference relating
to the Museum, to be comprised of individuals committed to the
advancement of the life, art, history, and culture of Italian
Americans.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
(a) Compensation.--
(1) In general.--A member of the Commission--
(A) shall not be considered to be a Federal
employee for any purpose other than for purposes of
chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code (relating to
compensation for injury) and sections 2671 through 2680
of title 28, United States Code (relating to tort
claims), except that each such individual shall be--
(i) required to file an annual financial
disclosure under chapter 131 of title 5, United
States Code; and
(ii) considered to be a Federal employee
for purposes of sections 201 and 208 of title
18, United States Code; and
(B) shall serve without pay.
(2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Commission shall be
allowed a per diem allowance for travel expenses, at rates
consistent with those authorized under subchapter I of chapter
57 of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Gifts, bequests, and devises.--The Commission may
solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or
devises of money, services, or real or personal property for
the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the
Commission.
(4) Federal advisory committee act.--The Commission shall
not be subject to chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code.
(b) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on the date that
is 30 days after the date on which the final versions of the reports
required under section 3 are submitted.
(c) Funding.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall be solely responsible
for acceptance of contributions for, and payment of the
expenses of, the Commission.
(2) Prohibition.--No Federal funds may be obligated to
carry out this Act.
(d) Director and Staff of Commission.--
(1) Director and staff.--
(A) In general.--The Commission may employ and
compensate an executive director and any other
additional personnel that are necessary to enable the
Commission to perform the duties of the Commission.
(B) Rates of pay.--Rates of pay for persons
employed under subparagraph (A) shall be consistent
with the rates of pay allowed for employees of a
temporary organization under section 3161 of title 5,
United States Code.
(2) Not federal employees.--Any individual employed under
this subsection shall not be considered a Federal employee for
any purpose other than for purposes of chapter 81 of title 5,
United States Code (relating to compensation for injury) and
sections 2671 through 2680 of title 28, United States Code
(relating to tort claims), except that each such individual
shall be--
(A) required to file an annual financial disclosure
under chapter 131 of title 5, United States Code; and
(B) considered to be a Federal employee for
purposes of sections 201 and 208 of title 18, United
States Code.
(3) Technical assistance.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), on
request of the Commission, the head of a Federal agency
may provide technical assistance to the Commission.
(B) Prohibition.--No Federal employees may be
detailed to the Commission.
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