Commission to Study the Potential Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution Act
This act establishes a commission to study the potential transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia to the Smithsonian Institution. The commission must report its plan and recommendations to Congress and the President no later than two years after the commission's first meeting.
The commission shall be composed of eight voting members appointed from among individuals or representatives of institutions with relevant expertise or interests (as further specified in the act). The Senate majority leader, Senate minority leader, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and House minority leader shall each appoint two voting members, with the chair elected by the commission members.
The commission's report must detail (1) the museum's collections and the extent to which such collections are already represented in the Smithsonian Institution; (2) the impact of the museum on educational and governmental efforts to study and counter antisemitism; (3) the museum's financial assets and liabilities; and (4) operating and maintenance costs for the museum. The report must also contain a fundraising plan and legislative recommendations.
The commission terminates 30 days after the final versions of its report, plan, and recommendations are submitted to Congress.
[118th Congress Public Law 144]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 138 STAT. 1667]]
Public Law 118-144
118th Congress
An Act
To establish a commission to study the potential transfer of the
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian
Institution, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Dec. 11, 2024 - [H.R.
7764]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Commission to
Study the Potential Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American
Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution Act. Pennsylvania.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Commission to Study the Potential
Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to
the Smithsonian Institution Act''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--There is established the Commission to Study the
Potential Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish
History to the Smithsonian Institution (hereafter in this Act referred
to as the ``Commission'').
(b) <<NOTE: Appointments.>> Membership.--The Commission shall be
composed of 8 members, of whom--
(1) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the majority
leader of the Senate;
(2) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the Speaker of
the House of Representatives;
(3) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the minority
leader of the Senate; and
(4) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the minority
leader of the House of Representatives.
(c) Qualification.--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 Jewish American history, art, political or economic
status, or culture; and
(B)(i) expertise in museum administration;
(ii) expertise in fund-raising for nonprofit or cultural
institutions;
(iii) experience in the study and teaching of Jewish
American history;
(iv) experience in the study and teaching of combating and
countering antisemitism;
(v) experience in studying the issue of the representation
of Jewish Americans in art, life, history, and culture at the
Smithsonian Institution; or
(vi) extensive experience in public or elected service;
[[Page 138 STAT. 1668]]
(2) experience in the administration of, or the strategic
planning for, museums; or
(3) experience in the planning or design 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 voting 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. <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
(a) <<NOTE: Plan. Recommenda- tions.>> Reports and Other
Deliverables.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the first
meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the President
and to Congress the report, plan, and recommendations described in
paragraphs (1) through (3).
(1) Report on issues.--A report that addresses the following
issues relating to the Weitzman National Museum of American
Jewish History in Philadelphia, PA, and its environs (hereafter
in this Act referred to as the ``Museum''):
(A) The collections held by the Museum at the time
of the report, the extent to which such collections are
already represented in the Smithsonian Institution and
Federal memorials at the time of the report, and the
availability and cost of future collections to be
acquired and housed in the Museum.
(B) The impact of the Museum on educational and
governmental efforts to study and counter antisemitism.
(C) The financial assets and liabilities held by the
Museum, and the cost of operating and maintaining the
Museum.
(D) The governance and organizational structure from
which the Museum should operate if transferred to the
Smithsonian Institution.
(E) The financial and legal considerations
associated with the potential transfer of the Museum to
the Smithsonian Institution, including--
(i) any donor or legal restrictions on the
Museum's collections, endowments, and real estate;
(ii) costs associated with actions that will
be necessary to resolve the status of employees of
the Museum, if the Museum is transferred to the
Smithsonian Institution; and
(iii) all additional costs for the Smithsonian
Institution that would be associated with
operating and maintaining a new museum outside of
the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
(F) The feasibility of the Museum becoming part of
the Smithsonian Institution, taking into account the
Museum's potential impact on the Smithsonian's existing
[[Page 138 STAT. 1669]]
facilities maintenance backlog, collections storage
needs, and identified construction or renovation costs
for new or existing museums.
(2) Fund-raising plan.--A fund-raising plan that addresses
the following topics:
(A) The ability to support the transfer, operation,
and maintenance of the Museum through contributions from
the public, including potential charges for admission.
(B) Any potential issues with funding the operations
and maintenance of the Museum in perpetuity without
reliance on appropriations of Federal funds.
(3) Legislative recommendations.--A report containing
recommendations regarding a legislative plan for transferring
the Museum to the Smithsonian Institution, which shall include
each of the following:
(A) <<NOTE: Proposals. Timeframe.>> Proposals
regarding the time frame, one-time appropriations level,
and continuing appropriations levels that might be
included in such legislation.
(B) Recommendations for the future name of the
Museum if it is transferred to the Smithsonian
Institution.
(b) National Conference.--Not later than 2 years 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 Jewish 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 by reason of service on the Commission;
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. Such
gifts, bequests, or devises may be from the Museum.
(b) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on the date that is
30 days after the date on which the final versions of the report, plan,
and recommendations required under section 3 are submitted.
(c) Funding.--The Commission shall be solely responsible for
acceptance of contributions for, and payment of the expenses of, the
Commission.
(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.
[[Page 138 STAT. 1670]]
(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 employment.--Any individual employed under
this subsection shall not be considered a Federal employee for
the purpose of any law governing Federal employment.
(3) Technical assistance.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), on
request of the Commission, the head of a Federal agency
shall provide technical assistance to the Commission.
(B) Prohibition.--No Federal employees may be
detailed to the Commission.
(4) Volunteer services.--Notwithstanding section 1342 of
title 31, United States Code, the Commission may accept and use
voluntary and uncompensated services as the Commission
determines necessary.
(e) <<NOTE: Reimbursement.>> Administrative Support Services.--Upon
request of the Commission, the Administrator of the General Services
Administration shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis,
the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to
carry out its responsibilities under this Act. The involvement of the
General Services Administration shall be limited to providing
administrative support to the Commission, and such involvement shall
terminate upon termination of the Commission.
(f) Meeting Location.--The Commission may meet virtually or in-
person.
(g) Appointment Delays.--The Commission may begin to meet and carry
out activities under this Act before all members of the Commission have
been appointed if--
(1) <<NOTE: Time period.>> 90 days have passed since the
date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) a majority of the members of the Commission have been
appointed.
Approved December 11, 2024.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 7764:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 118-683 (Comm. on House Administration).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 170 (2024):
Sept. 23, considered and passed House.
Dec. 3, considered and passed Senate.
<all>
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 118-683.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 578.
Mr. Steil moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5641-5644)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7764.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5641-5642)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5641-5642)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Enacted as Public Law 118-144
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Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S6789)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 118-144.
Became Public Law No: 118-144.