Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Smithsonian Women’s History Museum Act

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)Since its founding, the United States has greatly benefitted from the contributions of women. (2)Historical accounts, monuments, memorials, and museums disproportionately represent men’s achievements and contributions and often neglect those of women. For example— (A)a study of 18 American history textbooks concluded that 10 percent of the material documented contributions of women; (B)9 statues out of 91 in the United States Capitol’s National Statuary Hall depict women; and (C)only one of the 44 monuments operated by the National Park Service specifically honors the achievements of women after the 2016 designation of the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument. (3)There exists no national museum in the United States that is devoted to the documentation of women’s contributions throughout the Nation’s history. (4)Establishing a comprehensive women’s history museum representing a diverse range of viewpoints, experience, and backgrounds is necessary to more accurately depict the history of the United States and would add value to the Smithsonian Institution.

Establishment of museum

(a)

Establishment

There is established within the Smithsonian Institution a comprehensive women’s history museum, to be named by the Board of Regents in consultation with the council established under section 4. (b)

Purpose

The purpose of the museum established under this section shall be to provide for— (1)the collection, study, and establishment of programs relating to women’s contributions to various fields and throughout different periods of history that have influenced the direction of the United States; (2)collaboration with other Smithsonian Institution museums and facilities, outside museums, and educational institutions; and (3)the creation of exhibitions and programs that recognize diverse perspectives on women’s history and contributions.

Council

(a)

Establishment

There is established within the Smithsonian Institution a council to carry out the duties set forth under subsection (b) and other provisions of this Act. (b)

Duties

(1)

In general

The council established under this section shall— (A)make recommendations to the Board of Regents concerning the planning, design, and construction of the museum established under section 3; (B)advise and assist the Board of Regents on all matters relating to the administration, operation, maintenance, and preservation of the museum; (C)recommend annual operating budgets for the museum to the Board of Regents; (D)report annually to the Board of Regents on the acquisition, disposition, and display of objects relating to women’s art, history, and culture; and (E)adopt bylaws for the operation of the council. (2)

Principal responsibilities

The council, subject to the general policies of the Board of Regents, shall have sole authority to— (A)purchase, accept, borrow, and otherwise acquire artifacts for addition to the collections of the museum; (B)loan, exchange, sell, and otherwise dispose of any part of the collections of the museum, but only if the funds generated by that disposition are used for additions to the collections of the museum; or (C)specify criteria with respect to the use of the collections and resources of the museum, including policies on programming, education, exhibitions, and research with respect to— (i)the life, art, history, and culture of women; (ii)the role of women in the history of the United States; and (iii)the contributions of women to society. (3)

Other responsibilities

The council, subject to the general policies of the Board of Regents, shall have authority— (A)to provide for preservation, restoration, and maintenance of the collections of the museum; and (B)to solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, and devises of personal property for the purpose of aiding and facilitating the work of the museum. (4)

Ensuring diversity of political viewpoints in exhibits and programs

In carrying out its duties, the council shall ensure that the exhibits and programs of the museum reflect the diversity of the political viewpoints held by women of the United States on the events and issues relating to the history of women in the United States. (c)

Composition and appointment

(1)

In general

The council shall be composed of 25 voting members as provided under paragraph (2). (2)

Voting members

The council shall include the following voting members: (A)The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. (B)One member of the Board of Regents, appointed by the Board of Regents. (C)23 individuals appointed by the Board or Regents. In appointing members under this subparagraph, the Board of Regents should give special consideration to appointing— (i)members of the Congressional Commission; (ii)board members of the National Women’s History Museum, a nonprofit, educational organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that was incorporated in 1996 in the District of Columbia and that is dedicated for the purpose of establishing a women’s history museum; and (iii)scholars and representatives of organizations that are committed to the study of women’s history. (3)

Initial appointments

The Board of Regents shall make initial appointments to the council under paragraph (2) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d)

Terms

(1)

In general

Except as provided in this subsection, each appointed member of the council shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. (2)

Initial appointees

As designated by the Board of Regents at the time of appointment, of the voting members first appointed under subparagraph (C) of subsection (c)(2)— (A)8 members shall be appointed for a term of 1 year; (B)8 members shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and (C)7 members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. (3)

Reappointment

A member of the council may be reappointed, except that no individual may serve on the council for a total of more than 2 terms. For purposes of this paragraph, the number of terms an individual serves on the council shall not include any portion of a term for which an individual is appointed to fill a vacancy under paragraph (4)(B). (4)

Vacancies

(A)

In general

A vacancy on the council— (i)shall not affect the powers of the council; and (ii)shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made. (B)

Term

Any member of the council appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of that term. (e)

Compensation

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), a member of the council shall serve without pay. (2)

Travel expenses

A member of the council shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, while away from the home or regular place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the council. (f)

Chairperson

By a majority vote of its voting members, the council shall elect a chairperson from its members. (g)

Meetings

(1)

In general

The council shall meet at the call of the chairperson or on the written request of a majority of the voting members of the council, but not fewer than twice each year. (2)

Initial meetings

During the 1-year period beginning on the date of the first meeting of the council, the council shall meet not fewer than 4 times for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the council under this subchapter. (h)

Quorum

A majority of the voting members of the council holding office shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business, but a lesser number may receive information on behalf of the council.

Director and Staff of the Museum

(a)

Director

(1)

In general

The museum established under section 3 shall have a Director who shall be appointed by the Secretary, taking into consideration individuals recommended by the council established under section 4. (2)

Duties

The Director shall manage the museum subject to the policies of the Board of Regents. (b)

Staff

The Secretary may appoint two additional employees to serve under the Director, except that such additional employees may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service. (c)

Pay

The employees appointed by the Secretary under subsection (b) may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates.

Educational and Liaison Programs

(a)

Programs authorized

The Director of the museum established under section 3 may carry out educational and liaison programs in support of the goals of the museum. (b)

Collaboration with schools

In carrying out this section, the Director shall carry out educational programs in collaboration with elementary schools, secondary schools, and postsecondary schools.

Building

(a)

In general

(1)

Location

(A)

In general

Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Board of Regents shall designate a site for the museum established under section 3. (B)

Sites for consideration

In designating a site under subparagraph (A), the Board of Regents shall select from among the following sites in the District of Columbia: (i)The site known as the South Monument site, located on the National Mall and bordered by 14th Street Northwest, Jefferson Drive Southwest, Raoul Wallenberg Place Southwest, and Independence Ave Southwest. (ii)The Northwest United States Capitol site, bordered by 3rd Street Northwest, Constitution Avenue Northwest, 1st Street Northwest, and Pennsylvania Ave Northwest. (iii)Any other appropriate location as identified by the Board of Regents in consultation with the council established under section 4. (C)

Availability of site

(i)

In general

The sites described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) shall remain available until the date on which the Board of Regents designates a site for the museum under subparagraph (A). (ii)

Transfer to Smithsonian Institution

If the site designated for the museum is in an area that is under the administrative jurisdiction of a Federal agency, as soon as practicable after the date on which the designation is made, the head of the Federal agency shall transfer to the Smithsonian Institution administrative jurisdiction over the area. (D)

Factors considered

In designating a site under subparagraph (A), the Board of Regents shall take into consideration each of the following factors: (i)An estimate of the costs associated with each potential site. (ii)An assessment of the suitability of the space of each potential site, including size, proximity to other buildings and transportation, and other external environmental conditions, as appropriate. (iii)The recommendations of the Congressional Commission. (E)

Consultation

The Board of Regents shall carry out its duties under this paragraph in consultation with each of the following: (i)The Chair of the National Capital Planning Commission. (ii)The Chair of the Commission on Fine Arts. (iii)The Chair of the Congressional Commission. (iv)The chair and ranking minority member of the Committees on Appropriations and Rules and Administration of the Senate. (v)The chair and ranking minority member of the Committees on Appropriations, House Administration, and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives. (F)

Priority

In designating a site under subparagraph (A), the Board of Regents shall give priority to a site which is on or near the National Mall. (b)

Construction of building

The Board of Regents, in consultation with the council established under section 4, may plan, design, and construct a building for the museum, which shall be located at the site designated by the Board of Regents under subsection (a). (c)

Nonapplicability of provisions relating to monuments and commemorative works

Chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code, shall not apply with respect to the museum. (d)

Cost Sharing

The Board of Regents shall pay— (1)50 percent of the costs of carrying out this section from Federal funds; and (2)50 percent of the costs of carrying out this section from non-Federal sources.

Definitions

In this Act, the following definitions apply: (1)The term Board of Regents means the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. (2)The term Congressional Commission means the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Women’s History Museum, established under section 3056 of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3810). (3)The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

Authorization of appropriations

(a)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Smithsonian Institution to carry out this Act, including the planning, design, construction, and operation of the museum established under section 3, such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2021 and each succeeding fiscal year. (b)

Availability

Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization under this section shall remain available until expended. (c)

Use of funds for fundraising

Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization under this section may be used to conduct fundraising in support of the museum established under section 3 from private sources.