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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4001 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4001
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 20, 2024
Mr. Casey (for himself, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Fetterman, Ms. Collins, and Ms.
Rosen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred
to the Committee on Rules and Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
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.
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
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) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 9 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;
(4) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the minority
leader of the House of Representatives; and
(5) 1 nonvoting member shall be appointed by the board of
the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History.
(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;
(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. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
(a) 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, DC,
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
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) 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.
(4) Federal advisory committee act.--Chapter 10 of title 5,
United States Code, shall not apply to the Commission.
(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.
(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) 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) 90 days have passed since the date of enactment of this
Act; and
(2) a majority of the members of the Commission have been
appointed.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
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