[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2359 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 2359

To establish the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 15, 2007

  Mr. Martinez (for himself and Mr. Nelson of Florida) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                      Energy and Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To establish the St. Augustine 450th 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.

    This Act may be cited as the ``St. Augustine 450th Commemoration 
Commission Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The founding of the city of St. Augustine, Florida, in 
        1565 established the first permanent European colony and the 
        birthplace of the Christian religion (particularly Roman 
        Catholicism) in the New World.
            (2) The settlement of St. Augustine brought people from 
        throughout the Atlantic Basin together to form a multicultural 
        society, including peoples from Spain, England, and the rest of 
        Europe as well as Native Americans and Africans.
            (3) The economic, political, religious, and other social 
        institutions that have developed over the 4\1/2\ centuries of 
        the continuous, uninterrupted existence of St. Augustine, the 
        oldest city in North America, continue to have profound effects 
        on the United States, on cross-cultural relationships, and on 
        the economic structure, status, and international influence of 
        the United States.
            (4) The National Park Service, the State of Florida, the 
        city of St. Augustine, and the University of Florida 
        collectively own and operate significant resources related to 
        the history of St. Augustine.
            (5) The city of St. Augustine has existed continuously 
        since 1565 and is the governmental entity responsible for 
        planning and implementing the commemoration of the 450th 
        anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine.
            (6) The city of St. Augustine has created a committee to 
        prepare for the 450th anniversary commemoration, and planning 
        for the commemoration has been initiated.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to establish the St. 
Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission to--
            (1) ensure a suitable national observance of the 450th 
        anniversary of the city of St. Augustine by complementing the 
        programs and activities of the State of Florida and the city of 
        St. Augustine;
            (2) cooperate with and assist in the programs and 
        activities of the State of Florida in observance of the 450th 
        anniversary of St. Augustine;
            (3) assist in ensuring that the St. Augustine 450th 
        anniversary observances provide an excellent visitor experience 
        and beneficial interaction between visitors and the natural and 
        cultural resources of the St. Augustine sites;
            (4) assist in ensuring that the St. Augustine 450th 
        anniversary observances are inclusive and appropriately 
        recognize the experiences of all peoples in St. Augustine's 
        history;
            (5) provide assistance in the development of St. Augustine-
        related programs and activities;
            (6) facilitate international involvement in the St. 
        Augustine 450th anniversary observances;
            (7) support and facilitate marketing efforts for a 
        commemorative coin, stamp, and related activities for the St. 
        Augustine 450th anniversary observances; and
            (8) assist in the appropriate development of heritage 
        tourism and economic benefits to the United States through the 
        commemoration of the 450th anniversary of the city of St. 
        Augustine.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act--
            (1) Commemoration.--The term ``commemoration'' means the 
        commemoration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of the 
        settlement of St. Augustine.
            (2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the St. 
        Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission established by section 
        4.
            (3) Governor.--The term ``Governor'' means the Governor of 
        the State of Florida.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (5) State.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``State'' means the State 
                of Florida.
                    (B) Inclusion.--The term ``State'' includes 
                agencies and entities of the State of Florida.

SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT.

    There is established a commission to be known as the St. Augustine 
450th Commemoration Commission.

SEC. 5. DUTIES.

    (a) In General.--The Commission shall--
            (1) plan, develop, and execute programs and activities 
        appropriate to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the 
        founding of St. Augustine, Florida;
            (2) generally facilitate St. Augustine commemoration-
        related activities throughout the United States;
            (3) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, 
        religious, economic, and other organizations throughout the 
        United States to organize and participate in anniversary 
        activities to expand understanding and appreciation of the 
        significance of the founding and continuing history of St. 
        Augustine;
            (4) coordinate and facilitate scholarly research on, 
        publication about, and interpretation of, St. Augustine for the 
        education of the public; and
            (5) ensure that the 450th anniversary of St. Augustine 
        provides a lasting legacy and long-term public benefit for the 
        United States by assisting in the development of appropriate 
        programs and facilities to accommodate those programs.
    (b) Plans; Reports.--
            (1) Strategic plan; annual performance plans.--In 
        accordance with the Government Performance and Results Act of 
        1993, the Commission shall prepare a strategic plan and annual 
        performance plans for the activities of the Commission carried 
        out under this Act.
            (2) Final report.--Not later than December 31, 2015, the 
        Commission shall complete a final report that contains--
                    (A) a summary of the activities of the Commission;
                    (B) a final accounting of funds received and 
                expended by the Commission; and
                    (C) the findings and recommendations of the 
                Commission.

SEC. 6. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) In General.--The Commission shall be composed of 16 members, of 
whom--
            (1) 3 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, taking 
        into consideration the recommendations of the St. Augustine 
        City Commission;
            (2) 3 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, taking 
        into consideration the recommendations of the Governor;
            (3) 1 member shall be an employee of the National Park 
        Service having experience relevant to the historic resources 
        relating to the city of St. Augustine and the commemoration, to 
        be appointed by the Secretary;
            (4) 1 member shall be the Mayor of the city of St. 
        Augustine (or a designee);
            (5) 1 member shall be an employee of the State University 
        System of Florida, to be appointed by the Secretary; and
            (6) 5 members shall be individuals who are nonresidents of 
        the State of Florida who have an interest in, support for, and 
        expertise appropriate to the commemoration, to be appointed by 
        the Secretary, taking into consideration the recommendation of 
        Congress.
    (b) Time of Appointment.--Each initial appointment of a member of 
the Commission shall be made before the expiration of the 120-day 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Term; Vacancies.--
            (1) Term.--A member of the Commission shall be appointed 
        for the life of the Commission, unless a designee is appointed 
        pursuant to subsection (a)(4).
            (2) Vacancies.--
                    (A) In general.--A vacancy on the Commission shall 
                be filled in the same manner in which the original 
                appointment was made.
                    (B) Partial term.--A member appointed to fill a 
                vacancy on the Commission shall serve for the remainder 
                of the term for which the predecessor of the member was 
                appointed.
            (3) Continuation of membership.--If a member of the 
        Commission was appointed to the Commission as Mayor of the city 
        of St. Augustine or as an employee of the National Park Service 
        or the State University System of Florida, and ceases to hold 
        such position, that member may continue to serve on the 
        Commission for not longer than the 30-day period beginning on 
        the date that member ceases to hold such position.
    (d) Meetings.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall meet--
                    (A) at least 3 times each year; or
                    (B) at the call of the Chairperson or the majority 
                of the members of the Commission.
            (2) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
        on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the 
        Commission shall hold the initial meeting of the Commission.
    (e) Voting.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall act only on an 
        affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the 
        Commission.
            (2) Quorum.--A majority of the Commission shall constitute 
        a quorum.
    (f) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall appoint a Chairperson of the 
Commission, taking into consideration any recommendations of the 
Governor.
    (g) Compensation.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a 
        member of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
            (2) Federal employees.--A member of the Commission who is 
        an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve 
        without compensation other than the compensation received for 
        the services of the member as an officer or employee of the 
        Federal Government.
            (3) Travel expenses.--A member of the 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 Commission.

SEC. 7. DIRECTOR AND STAFF.

    (a) In General.--The Chairperson of the Commission may, without 
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, appoint and 
terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as 
are necessary to enable the Commission to perform the duties of the 
Commission.
    (b) Confirmation of Executive Director.--The employment of an 
executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the Commission.
    (c) Compensation.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        Chairperson of the 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.
    (d) Detail of Government Employees.--
            (1) Federal employees.--
                    (A) In general.--At the request of the Commission, 
                the head of any Federal agency may detail, on a 
                reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis, any of the 
                personnel of the agency to the Commission to assist the 
                Commission in carrying out the duties of the Commission 
                under this Act. Any reimbursement under this paragraph 
                shall be credited to the appropriation, fund, or 
                account used for paying the amounts reimbursed.
                    (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 Commission may--
                    (A) accept the services of personnel detailed from 
                the State; and
                    (B) reimburse the State for services of detailed 
                personnel.
    (e) Volunteer and Uncompensated 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.
    (f) Support Services.--The Director of the National Park Service 
shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, such 
administrative support services as the Commission may request. Any 
reimbursement under this paragraph shall be credited to the 
appropriation, fund, or account used for paying the amounts reimbursed.
    (g) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The 
Chairperson of the 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 such title.
    (h) FACA Nonapplicability.--Section 14(b) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission.
    (i) No Effect on Authority.--Nothing in this section supersedes the 
authority of the State, the National Park Service, the city of St. 
Augustine, or any designee of the foregoing, concerning the 
commemoration.

SEC. 8. POWERS.

    (a) In General.--The Commission may--
            (1) accept donations and make dispersions of money, 
        personal services, and real and personal property related to 
        St. Augustine and the significance of St. Augustine in the 
        history of the United States;
            (2) appoint such advisory committees as the Commission 
        determines to be necessary to carry out this Act;
            (3) authorize any member or employee of the Commission to 
        take any action that the Commission is authorized to take by 
        this Act;
            (4) procure supplies, services, and property, and make or 
        enter into contracts, leases, and other legal agreements, to 
        carry out this Act (except that any contracts, leases, and 
        other legal agreements made or entered into by the Commission 
        shall not extend beyond the date of termination of the 
        Commission);
            (5) use the United States mails in the same manner and 
        under the same conditions as other Federal agencies;
            (6) make grants in amounts not to exceed $10,000 per grant 
        to communities and nonprofit organizations to develop programs 
        to assist in the commemoration;
            (7) make grants to research and scholarly organizations to 
        research, publish, or distribute information relating to the 
        early history of St. Augustine; and
            (8) provide technical assistance to States, localities, and 
        nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration.
    (b) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on December 31, 
2015.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act, and such appropriated sums shall not expire and 
shall remain until expended.
                                 <all>