109th CONGRESS
2d Session

S. 2475

To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community, to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino Community in Washington, DC, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 29, 2006

Mr. SALAZAR (for himself, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mr. HATCH, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mrs. HUTCHISON, and Mr. MENENDEZ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community, to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino Community in Washington, DC, 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 the American Latino Community Act of 2006'.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

    (a) In General- There is established the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community (referred to in this Act as the `Commission').

    (b) 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:

      (1) The President shall appoint 7 voting members.

      (2) 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 3 voting members.

      (3) In addition to the members appointed under paragraph (2), 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 1 nonvoting member.

    (c) Qualifications- Members of the Commission shall be chosen from among individuals, or representatives of institutions or entities, who possess either--

      (1) a demonstrated commitment to the research, study, or promotion of American Latino life, art, history, political or economic status, or culture, together with--

        (A) expertise in museum administration;

        (B) expertise in fundraising for nonprofit or cultural institutions;

        (C) experience in the study and teaching of Latino culture and history at the postsecondary level;

        (D) experience in studying the issue of the Smithsonian Institution's representation of American Latino art, life, history, and culture; or

        (E) extensive experience in public or elected service; or

      (2) 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.

SEC. 3. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Plan of Action for Establishment and Maintenance of Museum- The Commission shall submit a report to the President and Congress containing its recommendations with respect to a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino Community in Washington, DC (referred to in this Act as the `Museum').

    (b) Fundraising Plan- The Commission shall develop a fundraising plan for supporting the creation and maintenance of the Museum through contributions by the American people, and a separate plan on fundraising by the American Latino community.

    (c) Report on Issues- The Commission shall examine (in consultation with the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution), and submit a report to the President and Congress on, the following issues:

      (1) The availability and cost of collections to be acquired and housed in the Museum.

      (2) The impact of the Museum on regional Hispanic- and Latino-related museums.

      (3) 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.

      (4) Whether the Museum should be located within the Smithsonian Institution.

      (5) The governance and organizational structure from which the Museum should operate.

      (6) How to engage the American Latino community in the development and design of the Museum.

    (d) Legislation to Carry Out Plan of Action- Based on the recommendations contained in the report submitted under subsection (a) and the report submitted under subsection (c), the Commission shall submit for consideration to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate recommendations for a legislative plan of action to create and construct the Museum.

    (e) National Conference- In carrying out its functions under this section, the Commission shall convene a national conference on the Museum, comprised of individuals committed to the advancement of American Latino life, art, history, and culture, not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    (a) Facilities and Support of Secretary of the Interior- The Secretary of the Interior shall provide the administrative services, facilities, and funds necessary for the performance of the Commission's functions.

    (b) 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.

    (c) Travel Expenses- Each member of the Commission shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 5. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF REPORTS; TERMINATION.

    (a) Deadline- The Commission shall submit final versions of the reports, plans, and recommendations required under section 3 not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

    (b) Termination- The Commission shall terminate not later than 30 days after submitting the final versions of reports, plans, and recommendations pursuant to subsection (a).

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated for carrying out the activities of the Commission $2,100,000 for fiscal year 2007 and $1,100,000 for fiscal year 2008.

END