Bill Summary
The "Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act" was enacted to establish a comprehensive women's history museum within the Smithsonian Institution. The act recognizes the significant contributions of women to the United States and the lack of representation of women's history in current historical accounts, monuments, and museums. It establishes a council to advise and assist the Board of Regents in the planning, design, and construction of the museum, as well as the acquisition and display of artifacts. The act also authorizes funding for the museum and allows for fundraising from private sources.
Possible Impacts
1. Women may feel more represented and recognized in historical accounts and exhibits, leading to a sense of empowerment and validation.
2. The museum may serve as a resource for schools and educational institutions, providing a more diverse and inclusive curriculum for students.
3. The council established under this Act may prioritize diverse viewpoints and perspectives, leading to a more comprehensive and accurate depiction of women's contributions to society.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1980 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 1980
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 12, 2020
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and
Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To establish in the Smithsonian Institution a comprehensive women's
history museum, 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 ``Smithsonian Women's History Museum
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Since its founding, the United States has greatly
benefitted from the contributions of women.
(2) Historical accounts, monuments, memorials, and museums
disproportionately represent men's achievements and
contributions and often neglect those of women. For example--
(A) a study of 18 American history textbooks
concluded that 10 percent of the material documented
contributions of women;
(B) 9 statues out of 91 in the United States
Capitol's National Statuary Hall depict women; and
(C) only one of the 44 monuments operated by the
National Park Service specifically honors the
achievements of women after the 2016 designation of the
Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument.
(3) There exists no national museum in the United States
that is devoted to the documentation of women's contributions
throughout the Nation's history.
(4) Establishing a comprehensive women's history museum
representing a diverse range of viewpoints, experience, and
backgrounds is necessary to more accurately depict the history
of the United States and would add value to the Smithsonian
Institution.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF MUSEUM.
(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Smithsonian
Institution a comprehensive women's history museum, to be named by the
Board of Regents in consultation with the council established under
section 4.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the museum established under this
section shall be to provide for--
(1) the collection, study, and establishment of programs
relating to women's contributions to various fields and
throughout different periods of history that have influenced
the direction of the United States;
(2) collaboration with other Smithsonian Institution
museums and facilities, outside museums, and educational
institutions; and
(3) the creation of exhibitions and programs that recognize
diverse perspectives on women's history and contributions.
SEC. 4. COUNCIL.
(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Smithsonian
Institution a council to carry out the duties set forth under
subsection (b) and other provisions of this Act.
(b) Duties.--
(1) In general.--The council established under this section
shall--
(A) make recommendations to the Board of Regents
concerning the planning, design, and construction of
the museum established under section 3;
(B) advise and assist the Board of Regents on all
matters relating to the administration, operation,
maintenance, and preservation of the museum;
(C) recommend annual operating budgets for the
museum to the Board of Regents;
(D) report annually to the Board of Regents on the
acquisition, disposition, and display of objects
relating to women's art, history, and culture; and
(E) adopt bylaws for the operation of the council.
(2) Principal responsibilities.--The council, subject to
the general policies of the Board of Regents, shall have sole
authority to--
(A) purchase, accept, borrow, and otherwise acquire
artifacts for addition to the collections of the
museum;
(B) loan, exchange, sell, and otherwise dispose of
any part of the collections of the museum, but only if
the funds generated by that disposition are used for
additions to the collections of the museum; or
(C) specify criteria with respect to the use of the
collections and resources of the museum, including
policies on programming, education, exhibitions, and
research with respect to--
(i) the life, art, history, and culture of
women;
(ii) the role of women in the history of
the United States; and
(iii) the contributions of women to
society.
(3) Other responsibilities.--The council, subject to the
general policies of the Board of Regents, shall have
authority--
(A) to provide for preservation, restoration, and
maintenance of the collections of the museum; and
(B) to solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts,
bequests, and devises of personal property for the
purpose of aiding and facilitating the work of the
museum.
(4) Ensuring diversity of political viewpoints in exhibits
and programs.--In carrying out its duties, the council shall
ensure that the exhibits and programs of the museum reflect the
diversity of the political viewpoints held by women of the
United States on the events and issues relating to the history
of women in the United States.
(c) Composition and Appointment.--
(1) In general.--The council shall be composed of 25 voting
members as provided under paragraph (2).
(2) Voting members.--The council shall include the
following voting members:
(A) The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
(B) One member of the Board of Regents, appointed
by the Board of Regents.
(C) 23 individuals appointed by the Board or
Regents. In appointing members under this subparagraph,
the Board of Regents should give special consideration
to appointing--
(i) members of the Congressional
Commission;
(ii) board members of the National Women's
History Museum, a nonprofit, educational
organization described in section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that was
incorporated in 1996 in the District of
Columbia and that is dedicated for the purpose
of establishing a women's history museum; and
(iii) scholars and representatives of
organizations that are committed to the study
of women's history.
(3) Initial appointments.--The Board of Regents shall make
initial appointments to the council under paragraph (2) not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
(d) Terms.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in this subsection,
each appointed member of the council shall be appointed for a
term of 3 years.
(2) Initial appointees.--As designated by the Board of
Regents at the time of appointment, of the voting members first
appointed under subparagraph (C) of subsection (c)(2)--
(A) 8 members shall be appointed for a term of 1
year;
(B) 8 members shall be appointed for a term of 2
years; and
(C) 7 members shall be appointed for a term of 3
years.
(3) Reappointment.--A member of the council may be
reappointed, except that no individual may serve on the council
for a total of more than 2 terms. For purposes of this
paragraph, the number of terms an individual serves on the
council shall not include any portion of a term for which an
individual is appointed to fill a vacancy under paragraph
(4)(B).
(4) Vacancies.--
(A) In general.--A vacancy on the council--
(i) shall not affect the powers of the
council; and
(ii) shall be filled in the same manner as
the original appointment was made.
(B) Term.--Any member of the council appointed to
fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the
term for which the member's predecessor was appointed
shall be appointed for the remainder of that term.
(e) Compensation.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a
member of the council shall serve without pay.
(2) Travel expenses.--A member of the council shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, while away from
the home or regular place of business of the member in the
performance of the duties of the council.
(f) Chairperson.--By a majority vote of its voting members, the
council shall elect a chairperson from its members.
(g) Meetings.--
(1) In general.--The council shall meet at the call of the
chairperson or on the written request of a majority of the
voting members of the council, but not fewer than twice each
year.
(2) Initial meetings.--During the 1-year period beginning
on the date of the first meeting of the council, the council
shall meet not fewer than 4 times for the purpose of carrying
out the duties of the council under this subchapter.
(h) Quorum.--A majority of the voting members of the council
holding office shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting
business, but a lesser number may receive information on behalf of the
council.
SEC. 5. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF THE MUSEUM.
(a) Director.--
(1) In general.--The museum established under section 3
shall have a Director who shall be appointed by the Secretary,
taking into consideration individuals recommended by the
council established under section 4.
(2) Duties.--The Director shall manage the museum subject
to the policies of the Board of Regents.
(b) Staff.--The Secretary may appoint two additional employees to
serve under the Director, except that such additional employees may be
appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States
Code, governing appointments in the competitive service.
(c) Pay.--The employees appointed by the Secretary under subsection
(b) may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and
subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating
to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates.
SEC. 6. EDUCATIONAL AND LIAISON PROGRAMS.
(a) Programs Authorized.--The Director of the museum established
under section 3 may carry out educational and liaison programs in
support of the goals of the museum.
(b) Collaboration With Schools.--In carrying out this section, the
Director shall carry out educational programs in collaboration with
elementary schools, secondary schools, and postsecondary schools.
SEC. 7. BUILDING.
(a) In General.--
(1) Location.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Board of Regents
shall designate a site for the museum established under
section 3.
(B) Sites for consideration.--In designating a site
under subparagraph (A), the Board of Regents shall
select from among the following sites in the District
of Columbia:
(i) The site known as the ``South Monument
site'', located on the National Mall and
bordered by 14th Street Northwest, Jefferson
Drive Southwest, Raoul Wallenberg Place
Southwest, and Independence Ave Southwest.
(ii) The Northwest United States Capitol
site, bordered by 3rd Street Northwest,
Constitution Avenue Northwest, 1st Street
Northwest, and Pennsylvania Ave Northwest.
(iii) Any other appropriate location as
identified by the Board of Regents in
consultation with the council established under
section 4.
(C) Availability of site.--
(i) In general.--The sites described in
clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) shall
remain available until the date on which the
Board of Regents designates a site for the
museum under subparagraph (A).
(ii) Transfer to smithsonian institution.--
If the site designated for the museum is in an
area that is under the administrative
jurisdiction of a Federal agency, as soon as
practicable after the date on which the
designation is made, the head of the Federal
agency shall transfer to the Smithsonian
Institution administrative jurisdiction over
the area.
(D) Factors considered.--In designating a site
under subparagraph (A), the Board of Regents shall take
into consideration each of the following factors:
(i) An estimate of the costs associated
with each potential site.
(ii) An assessment of the suitability of
the space of each potential site, including
size, proximity to other buildings and
transportation, and other external
environmental conditions, as appropriate.
(iii) The recommendations of the
Congressional Commission.
(E) Consultation.--The Board of Regents shall carry
out its duties under this paragraph in consultation
with each of the following:
(i) The Chair of the National Capital
Planning Commission.
(ii) The Chair of the Commission on Fine
Arts.
(iii) The Chair of the Congressional
Commission.
(iv) The chair and ranking minority member
of the Committees on Appropriations and Rules
and Administration of the Senate.
(v) The chair and ranking minority member
of the Committees on Appropriations, House
Administration, and Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
(F) Priority.--In designating a site under
subparagraph (A), the Board of Regents shall give
priority to a site which is on or near the National
Mall.
(b) Construction of Building.--The Board of Regents, in
consultation with the council established under section 4, may plan,
design, and construct a building for the museum, which shall be located
at the site designated by the Board of Regents under subsection (a).
(c) Nonapplicability of Provisions Relating to Monuments and
Commemorative Works.--Chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code, shall
not apply with respect to the museum.
(d) Cost Sharing.--The Board of Regents shall pay--
(1) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this section
from Federal funds; and
(2) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this section
from non-Federal sources.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the following definitions apply:
(1) The term ``Board of Regents'' means the Board of
Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
(2) The term ``Congressional Commission'' means the
Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National
Women's History Museum, established under section 3056 of the
Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015
(Public Law 113-291; 128 Stat. 3810).
(3) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the
Smithsonian Institution.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Smithsonian Institution to carry out this Act, including the planning,
design, construction, and operation of the museum established under
section 3, such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2021 and each
succeeding fiscal year.
(b) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the
authorization under this section shall remain available until expended.
(c) Use of Funds for Fundraising.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to
the authorization under this section may be used to conduct fundraising
in support of the museum established under section 3 from private
sources.
Passed the House of Representatives February 11, 2020.
Attest:
CHERYL L. JOHNSON,
Clerk.
By Robert F. Reeves,
Deputy Clerk.