National Lighthouse Center and Museum Act
This bill grants a federal charter to the National Lighthouse Center and Museum.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4845 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4845
To amend title 36, United States Code, to grant a Federal charter to
the National Lighthouse Center and Museum.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 23, 2019
Mr. Rose of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 36, United States Code, to grant a Federal charter to
the National Lighthouse Center and Museum.
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 ``National Lighthouse Center and
Museum Act''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE CENTER AND MUSEUM.
Part B of subtitle II of title 36, United States Code, is amended
by inserting after chapter 1519 the following new chapter:
``CHAPTER 1520--NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE CENTER AND MUSEUM
``Sec.
``152001. Organization.
``152002. Purposes.
``152003. Operation of museum.
``152004. Membership.
``152005. Governing body.
``152006. Powers.
``152007. Restrictions.
``152008. Duty to maintain corporate and tax-exempt status.
``152009. Records and inspection.
``152010. Service of process.
``152011. Liability for acts of officers and agents.
``152012. Annual report.
``152013. Definitions.
``Sec. 152001. Organization
``(a) Federal Charter.--The National Lighthouse Center and Museum,
incorporated in New York, is a federally chartered corporation.
``(b) Expiration of Charter.--If the corporation does not comply
with any provision of this chapter, the charter granted by this chapter
expires.
``Sec. 152002. Purposes
``The purposes of the corporation are as provided in its
constitution and bylaws and include the following purposes:
``(1) To collect, preserve, and interpret objects related
to the history and technology of lighthouses located, in the
past or present, at sites throughout the United States.
``(2) To research, document, and disseminate information on
the history and technology of American lighthouses.
``(3) To create and maintain an archive of artifacts and
materials related to American lighthouses.
``(4) To foster research of American lighthouse history.
``(5) To serve as a contact point for public inquiry and
assistance with respect to American lighthouse history,
research, education, collections, and programs.
``(6) To celebrate America's lighthouse heritage through
educational programs, publications, films, festivals, living
history, lighthouse trails, conferences, and other such
offerings.
``(7) To support other existing and future lighthouse
museums, organizations, and sites.
``(8) To establish partnerships with other organizations to
attain the above goals.
``(9) To engage in any lawful act or activity necessary to
further the purposes of the corporation under this section.
``Sec. 152003. Operation of museum
``(a) In General.--The corporation shall operate a museum to be
known as the National Lighthouse Center and Museum at the site of the
former United States Lighthouse Depot located at what is now known as
St. George, Staten Island, New York.
``(b) Storage Facility.--The corporation shall operate a storage
facility located at or near the site described in subsection (a) for
the care, conservation, and maintenance of artifacts in the collection
of the corporation.
``(c) Support to Other Museums.--The corporation shall provide
support to other museums that interpret the history of aids to
navigation in the United States.
``(d) Designation of Collection.--The collection of artifacts of
the National Lighthouse Center and Museum shall be known as the
National Lighthouse Collection.
``(e) Exclusive Right.--The corporation shall have the sole and
exclusive right to use, in carrying out its purposes, the name
`National Lighthouse Center and Museum' and the sole and exclusive
right to the use of its corporate seal, emblems, and badges as adopted
by the corporation.
``Sec. 152004. Membership
``Eligibility for membership in the corporation and the rights and
privileges of members are as provided in the constitution and bylaws of
the corporation.
``Sec. 152005. Governing body
``(a) Board of Trustees.--The board of trustees of the corporation
and the responsibilities of the board are as provided in the
constitution and bylaws of the corporation.
``(b) Officers.--The officers and the election of officers of the
corporation are as provided in the bylaws of the corporation.
``Sec. 152006. Powers
``The corporation has only the powers provided in its constitution,
bylaws, and charter as granted by the Board of Regents of the State of
New York and in the certificate of authority in any other State in
which the corporation is, or shall be, qualified to do business.
``Sec. 152007. Restrictions
``(a) Stock and Dividends.--The corporation may not issue stock or
declare or pay a dividend.
``(b) Political Activities.--The corporation or a trustee or
officer, acting as such trustee or officer, may not contribute to,
support, or participate in any political activity or in any manner
attempt to influence legislation.
``(c) Distribution of Income or Assets.--The income or assets of
the corporation may not inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to,
a trustee, officer, or member during the life of the charter granted by
this chapter. This subsection does not prevent the payment of
reasonable compensation to an officer or reimbursement for actual
necessary expenses in amounts approved by the board of trustees.
``(d) Loans.--The corporation may not make a loan to a trustee,
officer, or employee.
``(e) Claim of Governmental Approval or Authorization.--The
corporation may not claim congressional approval or the authority of
the United States Government for any of its activities.
``Sec. 152008. Duty to maintain corporate and tax-exempt status
``(a) Corporate Status.--The corporation shall maintain its
corporate status as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the
State of New York.
``(b) Tax-Exempt Status.--The corporation shall maintain its status
as an organization exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).
``Sec. 152009. Records and inspection
``(a) Records.--The corporation shall keep--
``(1) correct and complete records of account;
``(2) minutes of the proceedings of its members, board of
trustees, and committees; and
``(3) at its principal office, a record of the names and
addresses of its members entitled to vote, if any.
``(b) Inspection.--Any officer or trustee, or any member entitled
to vote (if any), or an agent or attorney of such officer, trustee, or
member, may inspect the records of the corporation for any proper
purpose at any reasonable time.
``Sec. 152010. Service of process
``The corporation shall comply with the law on service of process
of the State of New York and in each State in which it carries on
activities.
``Sec. 152011. Liability for acts of officers and agents
``The corporation is liable for the acts of its officers and agents
acting within the scope of their authority.
``Sec. 152012. Annual report
``The corporation shall submit an annual report to Congress on the
activities of the corporation during the prior fiscal year. The report
shall be submitted at the same time as the report of the audit required
by section 10101 of this title. The report may not be printed as a
public document.
``Sec. 152013. Definitions
``For purposes of this chapter--
``(1) the term `corporation' means the National Lighthouse
Center and Museum, Inc., incorporated in New York; and
``(2) the term `State' includes the District of Columbia
and the territories and possessions of the United States.''.
SEC. 3. CLERICAL AMENDMENT.
The table of chapters at the beginning of subtitle II of title 36,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
chapter 1519 the following new item:
``1520. National Lighthouse Center and Museum............... 152001.''
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
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