[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1148 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1148

 To establish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission 
  and the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 18, 2007

  Mrs. Clinton (for herself, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Leahy, and Mr. Sanders) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
               Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To establish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission 
  and the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Hudson-Fulton-
Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission Act of 2007''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings; purpose.
Sec. 3. Coordination.
      TITLE I--CHAMPLAIN QUADRICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION COMMISSION

Sec. 101. Definitions.
Sec. 102. Establishment of Champlain Commission.
Sec. 103. Duties.
Sec. 104. Powers.
Sec. 105. Champlain Commission personnel matters.
Sec. 106. Audit of Champlain Commission.
Sec. 107. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 108. Termination of Champlain Commission.
         TITLE II--HUDSON-FULTON 400TH COMMEMORATION COMMISSION

Sec. 201. Definitions.
Sec. 202. Establishment of Hudson-Fulton Commission.
Sec. 203. Duties.
Sec. 204. Powers.
Sec. 205. Hudson-Fulton Commission personnel matters.
Sec. 206. Audit of Hudson-Fulton Commission.
Sec. 207. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 208. Termination of Hudson-Fulton Commission.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) the first European exploration of the Hudson River and 
        Lake Champlain and the introduction of steam navigation to 
        maritime commerce were events of major historical importance, 
        both in the United States and internationally;
            (2) in 1609--
                    (A) Englishman Henry Hudson, acting in service of 
                the Dutch East India Company, was the first European to 
                sail up the river later named for him in the vessel 
                Half Moon; and
                    (B) French explorer Samuel de Champlain was the 
                first European to see--
                            (i) the lake later named for him; and
                            (ii) the shores of the northern regions of 
                        the States of New York and Vermont;
            (3) those voyages--
                    (A) were 2 of the most significant passages in the 
                European exploration and discovery of America; and
                    (B) began 2 of the earliest contacts in the New 
                World between Native Americans and Europeans;
            (4) those explorations led to the establishment of--
                    (A) Fort Orange, a Dutch, and later English, 
                settlement of what is now the capital city of the State 
                of New York; and
                    (B) French Quebec settlements as far south as Lake 
                George;
            (5) the establishment of the settlements described in 
        paragraph (4) extended the trade, commerce, culture, and 
        religion of the European settlers deep into the Mohawk Valley 
        and as far west as Lake Erie;
            (6) the early settlements of Fort George and the numerous 
        French Quebec settlements influenced the history, culture, law, 
        commerce, and traditions of liberty of the United States that--
                    (A) extend to the present day; and
                    (B) are constantly reflected in the position of the 
                United States as the leader of the countries of the 
                free world;
            (7) in 1807, Robert Fulton navigated the Hudson River from 
        the city of New York to Albany in the steamboat Clermont, 
        successfully inaugurating steam navigation on a commercial 
        basis;
            (8) the successful navigation of the Hudson River was 1 of 
        the most important events in the history of navigation because 
        that navigation--
                    (A) revolutionized waterborne commerce on the great 
                rivers of the United States;
                    (B) transformed naval warfare; and
                    (C) fostered international relations through 
                transoceanic travel and trade; and
            (9) in 2000, the province of Quebec--
                    (A) established a commission known as the ``Quebec 
                400 Commission'';
                    (B) granted to the Quebec 400 Commission a budget 
                of an amount not less than $1,000,000; and
                    (C) included in the responsibilities of the Quebec 
                400 Commission a commemoration of the Champlain voyage 
                of 1609.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are to establish the 
Champlain Commission and the Hudson-Fulton Commission--
            (1) to ensure a suitable national observance of the 
        anniversaries of Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton, and Samuel de 
        Champlain in 2009 through cooperation with, and assistance to, 
        the programs and activities of the States of New York and 
        Vermont, and the commemorative commissions formed by those 
        States;
            (2) to assist in ensuring that Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 2009 
        observances provide an excellent visitor experience and 
        beneficial interaction between visitors and the natural and 
        cultural resources of the sites located in the States;
            (3) to assist in ensuring that Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 2009 
        observances are inclusive and appropriately recognize the 
        diverse Hudson River and Lake Champlain communities that 
        developed over 4 centuries;
            (4) to facilitate international involvement (including the 
        involvement of the Quebec 400 Commission) in the Hudson-Fulton-
        Champlain 2009 observances;
            (5) to support and facilitate marketing efforts for--
                    (A) a commemorative coin;
                    (B) a commemorative stamp; and
                    (C) related activities for the Hudson-Fulton-
                Champlain 2009 observances;
            (6) to assist in the appropriate development of heritage 
        tourism and economic benefits to the United States; and
            (7) to support and facilitate the related efforts of the 
        Lake Champlain Basin Program in the coordination of efforts to 
        commemorate the voyage of Samuel de Champlain.

SEC. 3. COORDINATION.

    Each commission established under this Act shall coordinate with 
the other respective commission established under this Act to ensure 
that commemorations of Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton, and Samuel de 
Champlain are--
            (1) consistent with the plans and programs of the 
        commemorative commissions established by the States of New York 
        and Vermont; and
            (2) well-organized and successful.

      TITLE I--CHAMPLAIN QUADRICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION COMMISSION

SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Champlain commission.--The term ``Champlain 
        Commission'' means the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration 
        Commission established by section 102(a).
            (2) Commemoration.--The term ``commemoration'' means the 
        commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Samuel 
        de Champlain.
            (3) Lake champlain basin program.--The term ``Lake 
        Champlain Basin Program'' means the partnership established by 
        section 120 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
        U.S.C. 1270) between the States of New York and Vermont and 
        Federal agencies to carry out the Lake Champlain management 
        plan entitled, ``Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for 
        the Lake Champlain Basin''.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (5) States.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``States'' means the 
                States of New York and Vermont.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``States'' includes 
                political subdivisions of the States.

SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT OF CHAMPLAIN COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--There is established a commission to be known as 
the ``Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission''.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Composition.--The Champlain Commission shall be 
        composed of 11 members, of whom--
                    (A) 2 members shall be employees of the National 
                Park Service, of whom--
                            (i) 1 shall be the Director of the National 
                        Park Service (or a designee); and
                            (ii) 1 shall be an employee of the National 
                        Park Service having experience relevant to the 
                        commemoration, who shall be appointed by the 
                        Secretary;
                    (B) 4 members shall be appointed by the Secretary 
                from among individuals who, on the date of enactment of 
                this Act, are--
                            (i) serving as members of the Hudson-
                        Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission of 
                        the State of New York; and
                            (ii) residents of Champlain Valley, New 
                        York;
                    (C) 4 members shall be appointed by the Secretary 
                from among individuals who, on the date of enactment of 
                this Act, are--
                            (i) serving as members of the Lake 
                        Champlain Quadricentennial Commission of the 
                        State of Vermont; and
                            (ii) residents of the State of Vermont; and
                    (D) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretary, 
                and shall be an individual who has--
                            (i) an interest in, support for, and 
                        expertise appropriate with respect to, the 
                        commemoration; and
                            (ii) knowledge relating to the history of 
                        the Champlain Valley.
            (2) Term; vacancies.--
                    (A) Term.--A member of the Champlain Commission 
                shall be appointed for the life of the Champlain 
                Commission.
                    (B) Vacancies.--
                            (i) In general.--A vacancy on the Champlain 
                        Commission shall be filled in the same manner 
                        in which the original appointment was made.
                            (ii) Partial term.--A member appointed to 
                        fill a vacancy on the Champlain Commission 
                        shall serve for the remainder of the term for 
                        which the predecessor of the member was 
                        appointed.
            (3) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
        on which all members of the Champlain Commission have been 
        appointed, the Champlain Commission shall hold the initial 
        meeting of the Champlain Commission.
            (4) Meetings.--The Champlain Commission shall meet--
                    (A) at least twice each year; or
                    (B) at the call of the Chairperson or the majority 
                of the members of the Champlain Commission.
            (5) Quorum.--A majority of voting members shall constitute 
        a quorum, but a lesser number may hold meetings.
            (6) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--
                    (A) Election.--The Champlain Commission shall elect 
                the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson of the 
                Champlain Commission on an annual basis.
                    (B) Absence of the chairperson.--The Vice 
                Chairperson shall serve as the Chairperson in the 
                absence of the Chairperson.
            (7) Voting.--The Champlain Commission shall act only on an 
        affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members of the 
        Champlain Commission.

SEC. 103. DUTIES.

    (a) In General.--The Champlain Commission shall--
            (1) plan, develop, and execute programs and activities 
        appropriate to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the voyage 
        of Samuel de Champlain, the first European to discover and 
        explore Lake Champlain;
            (2) facilitate activities relating to the Champlain 
        Quadricentennial throughout the United States;
            (3) coordinate the activities of the Champlain Commission 
        with--
                    (A) State commemoration commissions;
                    (B) appropriate Federal agencies, including--
                            (i) the Department of Agriculture;
                            (ii) the Department of Defense;
                            (iii) the Department of State; and
                            (iv) the Department of Transportation;
                    (C) the Lake Champlain Basin Program;
                    (D) the Chairman of the National Endowment for the 
                Arts; and
                    (E) the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution;
            (4) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, 
        artistic, religious, economic, and other organizations 
        throughout the United States to organize and participate in 
        anniversary activities to expand the understanding and 
        appreciation of the significance of the voyage of Samuel de 
        Champlain;
            (5) provide technical assistance to States, localities, and 
        nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration;
            (6) coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly 
        research on, publication about, and interpretation of, the 
        voyage of Samuel de Champlain;
            (7) ensure that the Champlain 2009 anniversary provides a 
        lasting legacy and a long-term public benefit by assisting in 
        the development of appropriate programs and facilities;
            (8) help ensure that the observances of the voyage of 
        Samuel de Champlain are inclusive and appropriately recognize 
        the experiences and heritage of all people present when Samuel 
        de Champlain arrived in the Champlain Valley; and
            (9) consult and coordinate with the Lake Champlain Basin 
        Program and other relevant organizations to plan and develop 
        programs and activities to commemorate the voyage of Samuel de 
        Champlain.
    (b) Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plans.--The Champlain 
Commission shall prepare--
            (1) a strategic plan in accordance with section 306 of 
        title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel 
        time) during which the member is engaged in the performance of 
        the duties of the Champlain Commission; and
            (2) annual performance plans in accordance with section 
        1115 of title 31, United States Code, for the activities of the 
        Champlain Commission carried out under this Act.
    (c) Reports.--
            (1) Annual reports.--The Champlain Commission shall 
        annually submit to Congress a report that contains--
                    (A) a list of each gift, bequest, or devise with a 
                value of more than $250; and
                    (B) the identity of the donor of each gift, 
                bequest, or devise provided in subparagraph (A).
            (2) Final report.--Not later than [September 30, 2010], the 
        Champlain Commission shall submit to the Secretary a final 
        report that contains--
                    (A) a summary of the activities of the Champlain 
                Commission;
                    (B) a final accounting of funds received and 
                expended by the Champlain Commission; and
                    (C) the findings and recommendations of the 
                Champlain Commission.

SEC. 104. POWERS.

    (a) Gifts.--The Champlain Commission may solicit, accept, use, and 
dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of money or other real or 
personal property for aiding or facilitating the work of the Champlain 
Commission.
    (b) Appointment of Advisory Committees.--The Champlain Commission 
may appoint such advisory committees as the Champlain Commission 
determines to be necessary to carry out this Act.
    (c) Authorization of Action.--The Champlain Commission may 
authorize any member or employee of the Champlain Commission to take 
any action that the Champlain Commission is authorized to take under 
this Act.
    (d) Procurement.--The Champlain Commission may procure supplies, 
services, and property, and make or enter into contracts, leases, or 
other legal agreements, to carry out this Act (except that a contract, 
lease, or other legal agreement made or entered into by the Champlain 
Commission (or with administrative assistance from the Lake Champlain 
Basin Program) shall not extend beyond the date of termination of the 
Champlain Commission).
    (e) Postal Services.--The Champlain Commission may use the United 
States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other 
agencies of the Federal Government.
    (f) Grants.--Subject to approval by the Champlain Commission, the 
Champlain Commission may--
            (1) make grants in amounts not to exceed $20,000 to 
        communities, nonprofit organizations, and State commemorative 
        commissions to develop programs to assist in the commemoration; 
        and
            (2) make grants in amounts not to exceed $20,000 to 
        research and scholarly organizations to research, publish, or 
        distribute information relating to the early history of the 
        voyage of Samuel de Champlain.
    (g) Technical Assistance.--The Champlain Commission shall provide 
technical assistance to States, localities, and nonprofit organizations 
to further the commemoration.
    (h) Coordination and Consultation With Lake Champlain Basin 
Program.--The Champlain Commission shall coordinate and consult with 
the Lake Champlain Basin Program to provide grants and technical 
assistance under subsections (f) and (g) for the development of 
activities commemorating the voyage of Samuel de Champlain.

SEC. 105. CHAMPLAIN COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

    (a) Compensation of Members.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a 
        member of the Champlain Commission shall serve without 
        compensation.
            (2) Federal employees.--A member of the Champlain 
        Commission who is an officer or employee of the Federal 
        Government shall serve without compensation in addition to the 
        compensation received for the services of the member as an 
        officer or employee of the Federal Government.
    (b) Travel Expenses.--A member of the Champlain Commission 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, United States Code, while away from the home or 
regular place of business of the member in the performance of the 
duties of the Champlain Commission.
    (c) Staff.--
            (1) In general.--The Chairperson of the Champlain 
        Commission may, without regard to the civil service laws 
        (including regulations), appoint and terminate an Executive 
        Director and such other additional personnel as are necessary 
        to enable the Champlain Commission to perform the duties of the 
        Champlain Commission.
            (2) Confirmation of executive director.--The employment of 
        an Executive Director shall be subject to confirmation by the 
        Champlain Commission.
    (d) Compensation.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        Chairperson of the Champlain Commission may fix the 
        compensation of the Executive Director and other personnel 
        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.
            (2) Maximum rate of pay.--The rate of pay for the Executive 
        Director and other personnel shall not exceed the rate payable 
        for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of 
        title 5, United States Code.
    (e) Detail of Government Employees.--
            (1) Federal employees.--
                    (A) In general.--At the request of the Champlain 
                Commission, the head of any Federal agency may detail, 
                on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, any of the 
                personnel of the agency to the Champlain Commission to 
                assist the Champlain Commission in carrying out the 
                duties of the Champlain Commission under this Act.
                    (B) Civil service status.--The detail of an 
                employee under subparagraph (A) shall be without 
                interruption or loss of civil service status or 
                privilege.
            (2) State employees.--The Champlain Commission may--
                    (A) accept the services of personnel detailed from 
                States (including subdivisions of States); and
                    (B) reimburse States for services of detailed 
                personnel.
            (3) Lake champlain basin program employees.--The Champlain 
        Commission may--
                    (A) accept the services of personnel detailed from 
                the Lake Champlain Basin Program; and
                    (B) reimburse the Lake Champlain Basin Program for 
                services of detailed personnel.
            (4) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.--
        The Chairperson of the Champlain Commission may procure 
        temporary and intermittent services in accordance with section 
        3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for 
        individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of the 
        annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the 
        Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title.
    (f) Volunteer and Uncompensated Services.--Notwithstanding section 
1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Champlain Commission may 
accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services as the Champlain 
Commission determines necessary.
    (g) Support Services.--The Director of the National Park Service 
shall provide to the Champlain Commission, on a reimbursable basis, 
such administrative support services as the Champlain Commission may 
request.
    (h) FACA Nonapplicability.--Section 14(b) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Champlain 
Commission.
    (i) No Effect on Authority.--Nothing in this section supersedes the 
authority of the States or the National Park Service concerning the 
commemoration.

SEC. 106. AUDIT OF CHAMPLAIN COMMISSION.

    The Inspector General of the Department of the Interior shall--
            (1) annually conduct an audit of the Champlain Commission;
            (2) make available to the public the results of the annual 
        audit; and
            (3) submit the results of the annual audit to the Committee 
        on Government Reform of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this Act $500,000 for each of fiscal years [2008 through 2011], to 
remain available until expended.
    (b) Allocation.--Of amounts made available under subsection (a) for 
fiscal year [2008] and each fiscal year thereafter--
            (1) 45 percent shall be provided for activities in the 
        State of New York relating to the commemoration of Samuel de 
        Champlain;
            (2) 45 percent shall be provided for activities in the 
        State of Vermont relating to the commemoration of Samuel de 
        Champlain; and
            (3) 10 percent shall be distributed by the Champlain 
        Commission for activities relating to the commemoration of 
        Samuel de Champlain, in accordance with this Act.

SEC. 108. TERMINATION OF CHAMPLAIN COMMISSION.

    (a) Date of Termination.--The Champlain Commission shall terminate 
on [December 31, 2010].
    (b) Transfer of Documents and Materials.--Before the date of 
termination specified in subsection (a), the Champlain Commission shall 
transfer all documents and materials of the Champlain Commission to the 
National Archives or another appropriate Federal entity.

         TITLE II--HUDSON-FULTON 400TH COMMEMORATION COMMISSION

SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Commemoration.--The term ``commemoration'' means the 
        commemoration of--
                    (A) the 200th anniversary of the voyage of Robert 
                Fulton in the Clermont; and
                    (B) the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Henry 
                Hudson in the Half Moon.
            (2) Governor.--The term ``Governor'' means the Governor of 
        the State of New York.
            (3) Hudson-fulton commission.--The term ``Hudson-Fulton 
        Commission'' means the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration 
        Commission established by section 202(a).
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (5) State.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``State'' means the State 
                of New York.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``State'' includes 
                political subdivisions of that State.

SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT OF HUDSON-FULTON COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known 
as the ``Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission''.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Composition.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission shall be 
        composed of 16 members, of whom--
                    (A) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretary, 
                after taking into consideration the recommendation of 
                the Governor;
                    (B) 6 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, 
                after taking into consideration the recommendations of 
                the Members of the House of Representatives whose 
                districts encompass the Hudson River Valley;
                    (C) 2 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, 
                after taking into consideration the recommendations of 
                the Members of the Senate from the State of New York;
                    (D) 2 members shall be employees of the National 
                Park Service, of whom--
                            (i) 1 shall be the Director of the National 
                        Park Service (or a designee); and
                            (ii) 1 shall be an employee of the National 
                        Park Service having experience relevant to the 
                        commemoration, who shall be appointed by the 
                        Secretary;
                    (E) 2 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, 
                and shall be individuals that have an interest in, 
                support for, and expertise appropriate with respect to, 
                the commemoration, of whom--
                            (i) 1 member shall be an individual with 
                        expertise in the Hudson River Valley National 
                        Heritage Area; and
                            (ii) 1 member shall be an individual with 
                        expertise in the State of New York, as it 
                        relates to the commemoration;
                    (F) 1 member shall be the Chairperson of a 
                commemorative commission formed by the State of New 
                York (or the designee of the Chairperson); and
                    (G) 2 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, 
                after--
                            (i) taking into consideration the 
                        recommendation of the Mayor of the city of New 
                        York; and
                            (ii) consulting the Members of the House of 
                        Representatives whose districts encompass the 
                        city of New York.
            (2) Term; vacancies.--
                    (A) Term.--A member of the Hudson-Fulton Commission 
                shall be appointed for the life of the Hudson-Fulton 
                Commission.
                    (B) Vacancies.--
                            (i) In general.--A vacancy on the Hudson-
                        Fulton Commission shall be filled in the same 
                        manner in which the original appointment was 
                        made.
                            (ii) Partial term.--A member appointed to 
                        fill a vacancy on the Hudson-Fulton Commission 
                        shall serve for the remainder of the term for 
                        which the predecessor of the member was 
                        appointed.
            (3) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
        on which all members of the Hudson-Fulton Commission have been 
        appointed, the Hudson-Fulton Commission shall hold the initial 
        meeting of the Hudson-Fulton Commission.
            (4) Meetings.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission shall meet--
                    (A) at least twice each year; or
                    (B) at the call of the Chairperson or the majority 
                of the members of the Hudson-Fulton Commission.
            (5) Quorum.--A majority of voting members shall constitute 
        a quorum, but a lesser number may hold meetings.
            (6) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--
                    (A) Election.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission shall 
                elect the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson of the 
                Hudson-Fulton Commission on an annual basis.
                    (B) Absence of the chairperson.--The Vice 
                Chairperson shall serve as the Chairperson in the 
                absence of the Chairperson.
            (7) Voting.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission shall act only on 
        an affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members of the 
        Hudson-Fulton Commission.
            (8) Nonvoting member.--A member of the Hudson-Fulton 
        Commission appointed under subparagraph (D)(ii) of paragraph 
        (1) shall be a nonvoting member.

SEC. 203. DUTIES.

    (a) In General.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission shall--
            (1) plan, develop, and execute programs and activities 
        appropriate to commemorate--
                    (A) the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Henry 
                Hudson, the first European to sail up the Hudson River; 
                and
                    (B) the 200th anniversary of the voyage of Robert 
                Fulton, the first person to use steam navigation on a 
                commercial basis;
            (2) facilitate activities relating to the Hudson-Fulton-
        Champlain Quadricentennial throughout the United States;
            (3) coordinate the activities of the Hudson-Fulton 
        Commission with--
                    (A) State commemoration commissions;
                    (B) appropriate Federal agencies, including--
                            (i) the Department of Agriculture;
                            (ii) the Department of Defense;
                            (iii) the Department of State; and
                            (iv) the Department of Transportation;
                    (C) the Director of the National Park Service, with 
                respect to the Hudson River Valley National Heritage 
                Area;
                    (D) the American Heritage Rivers Initiative 
                Interagency Committee established by Executive Order 
                13061, dated September 11, 1997;
                    (E) the Chairman of the National Endowment for the 
                Humanities;
                    (F) the Chairman of the National Endowment for the 
                Arts; and
                    (G) the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution;
            (4) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, 
        artistic, religious, economic, and other organizations 
        throughout the United States to organize and participate in 
        anniversary activities to expand the understanding and 
        appreciation of the significance of the voyages of Henry Hudson 
        and Robert Fulton;
            (5) provide technical assistance to States, localities, and 
        nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration;
            (6) coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly 
        research on, publication about, and interpretation of, the 
        voyages of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton;
            (7) ensure that the Hudson-Fulton 2009 commemorations 
        provide a lasting legacy and long-term public benefit by 
        assisting in the development of appropriate programs and 
        facilities; and
            (8) help ensure that the observances of Henry Hudson are 
        inclusive and appropriately recognize the experiences and 
        heritage of all people present when Henry Hudson sailed the 
        Hudson River.
    (b) Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plans.--The Hudson-Fulton 
Commission shall prepare--
            (1) a strategic plan in accordance with section 306 of 
        title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel 
        time) during which the member is engaged in the performance of 
        the duties of the Hudson-Fulton Commission; and
            (2) annual performance plans in accordance with section 
        1115 of title 31, United States Code, for the activities of the 
        Hudson-Fulton Commission carried out under this Act.
    (c) Reports.--
            (1) Annual reports.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission shall 
        annually submit to Congress a report that contains--
                    (A) a list of each gift, bequest, or devise with a 
                value of more than $250; and
                    (B) the identity of the donor of each gift, 
                bequest, or devise provided under subparagraph (A).
            (2) Final report.--Not later than [September 30, 2010], the 
        Hudson-Fulton Commission shall submit to the Secretary a final 
        report that contains--
                    (A) a summary of the activities of the Hudson-
                Fulton Commission;
                    (B) a final accounting of funds received and 
                expended by the Hudson-Fulton Commission; and
                    (C) the findings and recommendations of the Hudson-
                Fulton Commission.

SEC. 204. POWERS.

    (a) Gifts.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission may solicit, accept, use, 
and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of money or other real or 
personal property for use in aiding or facilitating the work of the 
Hudson-Fulton Commission.
    (b) Appointment of Advisory Committees.--The Hudson-Fulton 
Commission may appoint such advisory committees as the Hudson-Fulton 
Commission determines to be necessary to carry out this Act.
    (c) Authorization of Action.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission may 
authorize any member or employee of the Hudson-Fulton Commission to 
take any action that the Hudson-Fulton Commission is authorized to take 
under this Act.
    (d) Procurement.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission may procure 
supplies, services, and property, and make or enter into contracts, 
leases, or other legal agreements, to carry out this Act (except that a 
contract, lease, or other legal agreement made or entered into by the 
Hudson-Fulton Commission shall not extend beyond the date of 
termination of the Hudson-Fulton Commission).
    (e) Postal Services.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission may use the 
United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as 
other agencies of the Federal Government.
    (f) Grants.--Subject to approval by the Hudson-Fulton Commission, 
the Hudson-Fulton Commission may--
            (1) make grants in amounts not to exceed $20,000 to 
        communities, nonprofit organizations, and State commemorative 
        commissions to develop programs to assist in the commemoration; 
        and
            (2) make grants in amounts not to exceed $20,000 to 
        research and scholarly organizations to research, publish, or 
        distribute information relating to the early history of the 
        voyages of Hudson and Fulton.
    (g) Technical Assistance.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission shall 
provide technical assistance to States, localities, and nonprofit 
organizations to further the commemoration.

SEC. 205. HUDSON-FULTON COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

    (a) Compensation of Members.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a 
        member of the Hudson-Fulton Commission shall serve without 
        compensation.
            (2) Federal employees.--A member of the Hudson-Fulton 
        Commission who is an officer or employee of the Federal 
        Government shall serve without compensation in addition to the 
        compensation received for the services of the member as an 
        officer or employee of the Federal Government.
    (b) Travel Expenses.--A member of the Hudson-Fulton Commission 
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, United States Code, while away 
from the home or regular place of business of the member in the 
performance of the duties of the Hudson-Fulton Commission.
    (c) Staff.--
            (1) In general.--The Chairperson of the Hudson-Fulton 
        Commission may, without regard to the civil service laws 
        (including regulations), appoint and terminate an Executive 
        Director and such other additional personnel as are necessary 
        to enable the Hudson-Fulton Commission to perform the duties of 
        the Hudson-Fulton Commission.
            (2) Confirmation of executive director.--The employment of 
        an Executive Director shall be subject to confirmation by the 
        Hudson-Fulton Commission.
    (d) Compensation.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        Chairperson of the Hudson-Fulton Commission may fix the 
        compensation of the Executive Director and other personnel 
        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.
            (2) Maximum rate of pay.--The rate of pay for the Executive 
        Director and other personnel shall not exceed the rate payable 
        for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of 
        title 5, United States Code.
    (e) Detail of Government Employees.--
            (1) Federal employees.--
                    (A) In general.--At the request of the Hudson-
                Fulton Commission, the head of any Federal agency may 
                detail, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, any 
                of the personnel of the agency to the Hudson-Fulton 
                Commission to assist the Hudson-Fulton Commission in 
                carrying out the duties of the Hudson-Fulton Commission 
                under this Act.
                    (B) Civil service status.--The detail of an 
                employee under subparagraph (A) shall be without 
                interruption or loss of civil service status or 
                privilege.
            (2) State employees.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission may--
                    (A) accept the services of personnel detailed from 
                States (including subdivisions of States); and
                    (B) reimburse States for services of detailed 
                personnel.
            (3) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.--
        The Chairperson of the Hudson-Fulton Commission may procure 
        temporary and intermittent services in accordance with section 
        3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for 
        individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of the 
        annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the 
        Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title.
    (f) Volunteer and Uncompensated Services.--Notwithstanding section 
1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Hudson-Fulton Commission may 
accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services as the Hudson-
Fulton Commission determines necessary.
    (g) Support Services.--The Director of the National Park Service 
shall provide to the Hudson-Fulton Commission, on a reimbursable basis, 
such administrative support services as the Hudson-Fulton Commission 
may request.
    (h) FACA Nonapplicability.--Section 14(b) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Hudson-Fulton 
Commission.
    (i) No Effect on Authority.--Nothing in this section supersedes the 
authority of the States or the National Park Service concerning the 
commemoration.

SEC. 206. AUDIT OF HUDSON-FULTON COMMISSION.

    The Inspector General of the Department of the Interior shall--
            (1) annually conduct an audit of the Hudson-Fulton 
        Commission;
            (2) make available to the public the results of the annual 
        audit; and
            (3) submit the results of the annual audit to the Committee 
        on Government Reform of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this Act $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011, to 
remain available until expended.
    (b) Allocation.--Of amounts made available under subsection (a) for 
fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter--
            (1) 80 percent shall be provided for activities in the 
        Hudson Valley relating to the commemoration;
            (2) 10 percent shall be provided for activities in the city 
        of New York relating to the commemoration; and
            (3) 10 percent shall be distributed by the Hudson-Fulton 
        Commission for activities relating to the commemoration, in 
        accordance with this Act.

SEC. 208. TERMINATION OF HUDSON-FULTON COMMISSION.

    (a) Date of Termination.--The Hudson-Fulton Commission shall 
terminate on December 31, 2010.
    (b) Transfer of Documents and Materials.--Before the date of 
termination specified in subsection (a), the Hudson-Fulton Commission 
shall transfer all documents and materials of the Hudson-Fulton 
Commission to the National Archives or another appropriate Federal 
entity.
                                 <all>