Bill Summary
This legislation is a bill that establishes a commission to study the potential creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture in Washington, DC. The commission will be composed of 8 members who are appointed by leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives. These members must have expertise in various areas such as museum administration, fundraising, and Asian Pacific American history. The commission's duties include submitting reports to the President and Congress on a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of the museum, developing a fundraising plan, and convening a national conference on the museum. The Department of the Interior will provide administrative support and funds for the commission. The commission will terminate 30 days after submitting its final reports and there is authorization for necessary funds to carry out this act.
Possible Impacts
1. People who identify as Asian Pacific Americans may feel a sense of validation and recognition knowing that there is a potential creation of a National Museum dedicated to their history and culture. This could also bring attention to the contributions and struggles of this community in American society.
2. The members of the Commission may have to dedicate a significant amount of time and effort into researching and studying Asian Pacific American history, art, and culture in order to make informed recommendations for the establishment and operation of the Museum. This could potentially impact their personal and professional lives.
3. The development and construction of the Museum may require a significant amount of funding, which could potentially impact the availability of funds for other government projects and programs. This could also lead to debates and discussions about the government's priorities and allocation of resources.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4132 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4132
To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a
National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 30, 2019
Ms. Meng (for herself, Ms. Judy Chu of California, Mr. Cox of
California, Mr. Rouda, Ms. Lee of California, Ms. Haaland, Mr. Ted Lieu
of California, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Cisneros, Mr. Case, and Ms.
Velazquez) 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 Asian Pacific 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
Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific 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 Asian Pacific American
History and Culture (hereafter 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) a demonstrated commitment to the research, study, or
promotion of Asian Pacific American history, art, political or
economic status, or culture; and
(B)(i) expertise in museum administration;
(ii) expertise in fundraising for nonprofit or cultural
institutions;
(iii) experience in the study and teaching of Asian Pacific
American history;
(iv) experience in studying the issue of the representation
of Asian Pacific Americans in art, life, history, and culture
at the Smithsonian Institution; or
(v) extensive experience in public or elected service;
(2) experience in the administration of, or the planning
for, the establishment of, museums; or
(3) experience in the planning, design, or construction of
museum facilities.
(d) Deadline for Initial Appointment.--The initial members of the
Commission shall be appointed not later than the date that is 90 days
after the date of enactment of this Act.
(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.
(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.
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 for the
establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of Asian
Pacific American History and Culture in Washington, DC
(hereafter 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
issues:
(A) The availability and cost of collections to be
acquired and housed in the Museum.
(B) The impact of the Museum on regional Asian
Pacific American history-related museums.
(C) Potential locations for the Museum in
Washington, DC, and its environs.
(D) Whether the Museum should be part of the
Smithsonian Institution.
(E) The governance and organizational structure
from which the Museum should operate.
(F) Best practices for engaging Asian Pacific
Americans in the development and design of the Museum.
(G) The cost of constructing, operating, and
maintaining the Museum.
(3) Deadline.--The reports required under paragraphs (1)
and (2) shall be submitted not later than the date that is 18
months after the date of the first meeting of the Commission.
(b) Fundraising Plan.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall develop a fundraising
plan 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.--The Commission shall obtain an
independent review of the viability of the plan developed under
paragraph (1) and such review shall include an analysis as to
whether the plan is likely 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 the plan
developed under paragraph (1) and the review conducted under
paragraph (3) to the Committees on Transportation and
Infrastructure, 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.
(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 Transportation and Infrastructure,
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 to establish
and construct 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, 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 Asian Pacific
Americans.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
(a) Compensation.--Each member of the Commission who is not an
officer or employee of the Federal Government may receive compensation
for each day on which the member is engaged in the work of the
Commission, at a daily rate to be determined by the Secretary of the
Interior.
(b) Facilities and Support of Department of the Interior.--The
Department of the Interior shall provide from funds appropriated for
this purpose administrative services, facilities, and funds necessary
for the performance of the Commission's functions. These funds shall be
made available prior to any meetings of the Commission.
(c) 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.
(d) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Commission shall not be
subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
SEC. 5. 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.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated such sums
as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
(b) Availability.--Amounts made available under subsection (a)
shall remain available until expended, or until the termination of the
Commission, whichever comes first.
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