No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2121 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2121
To establish the Commission to study the potential creation of a
National Museum of Irish American History, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 14, 2025
Mr. Fitzpatrick (for himself, Mr. Neal, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr.
McGovern, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Lawler, Mr. Tonko, Mr.
Keating, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Deluzio, Ms. McBride, Ms. Lee of
Nevada, and Mr. Kennedy of New York) 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 Irish American History, 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 Creation of
a National Museum of Irish American History''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the
Commission to study the potential creation of a National Museum
of Irish American History established by section 3(a).
(2) Museum.--The term ``Museum'' means the National Museum
of Irish American History.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment of Commission.--
(1) In general.--There is established the Commission to
study the potential creation of an Irish American Museum.
(2) Membership.--The Commission shall consist of 23 members
appointed not later than 6 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act as follows:
(A) The President shall appoint 7 voting members.
(B) The Speaker of the House of Representatives,
the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives,
the Majority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority
Leader of the Senate shall each appoint--
(i) 3 voting members; and
(ii) 1 nonvoting member.
(3) Qualifications.--Members of the Commission shall be
chosen from individuals, or representatives of institutions or
entities, who possess either--
(A) a demonstrated commitment to the research,
study, or promotion of Irish-American life, art,
history, political or economic status, or culture,
together with--
(i) expertise in museum administration;
(ii) expertise in fundraising for nonprofit
or cultural institutions;
(iii) experience in the study and teaching
of Irish-American culture and history at the
post-secondary level;
(iv) experience in studying the issue of
the Smithsonian Institution's representation of
Irish-American art, life, history, and culture;
or
(v) extensive experience in public or
elected service; or
(B) experience in the administration of, or the
planning for the establishment of, museums devoted to
the study and promotion of the role of ethnic, racial,
or cultural groups in American history.
(4) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission--
(A) shall not affect the powers of the Commission;
and
(B) shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointment was made.
(5) 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. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Reports.--
(1) Plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of
museum.--The Commission shall submit a report to the President
and the Congress containing its recommendations with respect to
a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of an
Irish-American Museum in Washington, DC.
(2) Report on issues.--The Commission shall examine, in
consultation with the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution,
and submit a report to the President and the Congress on 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 Irish-
American-related museums.
(C) Possible locations for the Museum in
Washington, DC and its environs, to be considered in
consultation with the National Capital Planning
Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, the
Department of the Interior, and Smithsonian
Institution.
(D) Whether the Museum should be located within the
Smithsonian Institution.
(E) The governance and organizational structure
from which the Museum should operate.
(F) How to engage the Irish-American community in
the development and design of the Museum.
(G) The cost of constructing, operating, and
maintaining the Museum.
(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.
(c) Independent Review.--The Commission shall obtain an independent
review of the viability of the plan developed under subsection (b)(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.
(d) Submission.--The Commission shall submit the plan developed
under subsection (b)(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.
(e) Recommendations for Legislation To Carry Out Plan of Action.--
Based on the recommendations contained in the report submitted under
subsection (a), the Commission shall submit for consideration
recommendations for a legislative plan of action to create and
construct the Museum to--
(1) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives;
(2) the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives;
(3) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the
Senate;
(4) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives;
(5) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate; and
(6) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
(f) Deadline for Submission of Reports.--The Commission shall
submit final versions of the reports and plans required--
(1) under subsection (a) and (b) not later than 24 months
after the date of the Commission's first meeting; and
(2) under subsection (e) not later than 12 months after the
date that the reports and plans referred to in paragraph (1)
are submitted.
(g) National Conference.--In carrying out its functions under this
section, not later than 18 months after the commission members are
selected, the Commission may host a national conference on the Museum,
comprised of individuals committed to the advancement of Irish-American
life, art, history, and culture.
SEC. 5. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COMMISSION.
(a) Director and Staff.--
(1) 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.
(2) Rates of pay.--Rates of pay for persons employed under
paragraph (1) shall be consistent with the rates of pay allowed
for employees of a temporary organization under section 3161 of
title 5, United States Code.
(b) Not Federal Employment.--Any individual employed under this Act
shall not be considered a Federal employee for the purpose of any law
governing Federal employment.
(c) Technical Assistance.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), on request of
the Commission the head of a Federal agency may provide
technical assistance to the Commission.
(2) Detailees.--No Federal employees may be detailed to the
Commission.
SEC. 6. 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.
(b) Gifts, Bequests, 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.
(c) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Commission is not subject
to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
SEC. 7. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate on the date that is 30 days after
the date on which the final versions of the reports and plans required
under section 4 are submitted.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated for carrying out the
activities of the Commission--
(1) $2,100,000 for the first fiscal year beginning after
the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) $1,100,000 for the second fiscal year beginning after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
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.
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.
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