[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 294 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 294

 To create a commission to develop a plan for establishing a Museum of 
                                 Ideas.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 12, 2011

 Mr. Stearns 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 create a commission to develop a plan for establishing a Museum of 
                                 Ideas.

    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 ``Museum of Ideas Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.

    There is established a commission to be known as the ``Museum of 
Ideas Commission'' (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the 
``Commission'').

SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Plan.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall develop a plan for 
        establishing in Washington, DC, a museum that presents the 
        history and evolution of human ideas.
            (2) Specifically.--The plan must address the following 
        issues:
                    (A) How to present the history and evolution of 
                human ideas, including ideas in the fields of science, 
                sociology, philosophy, economics, and politics.
                    (B) The cost of establishing such a museum.
                    (C) Possible locations for such a museum.
                    (D) Whether such a museum should be established 
                within the Smithsonian Institution.
    (b) Report.--The Commission shall, not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, submit a report to Congress and the 
President setting forth the plan developed under subsection (a).

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS.

    (a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 11 
members, to be appointed as follows:
            (1) The President shall appoint 2 members, one of whom 
        shall serve as chairperson of the Commission.
            (2) The majority leader of the House of Representatives 
        shall appoint 2 members.
            (3) The minority leader of the House of Representatives 
        shall appoint 2 members.
            (4) The majority leader of the Senate shall appoint 2 
        members.
            (5) The minority leader of the Senate shall appoint 2 
        members.
            (6) The Secretary of the Interior shall appoint 1 member.
    (b) Criteria for Member.--
            (1) No member of congress.--A Member of Congress may not be 
        a member of the Commission.
            (2) Consultation with appointing authorities.--Prior to 
        making an appointment, each appointing authority should consult 
        with the other appointing authorities to ensure that the 
        members appointed to the Commission represent a wide range of 
        expertise that would assist the Commission in carrying out the 
        required duties under this Act, including academic leaders, 
        industrial leaders, and individuals familiar with establishing 
        museums.
    (c) Date for Original Appointment.--The appointing authorities 
described in subsection (a) shall appoint the initial members of the 
Commission not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act.
    (d) Terms.--
            (1) In general.--The term of each member is for the life of 
        the Commission.
            (2) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled 
        not later than 30 days after such vacancy occurs and in the 
        manner in which the original appointment was made.
    (e) Pay and Reimbursement.--
            (1) No pay for members.--Members of the Commission shall 
        serve without pay.
            (2) Travel expenses.--Each member shall receive travel 
        expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence under 
        subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
    (f) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet upon the call of the 
chairperson or a majority of its members.
    (g) Quorum.--Six members of the Commission shall constitute a 
quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.

SEC. 5. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings and Evidence.--The Commission may, for the purpose of 
carrying out this Act, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times 
and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the 
Commission considers appropriate.
    (b) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of the 
Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which 
the Commission is authorized to take by this section.
    (c) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the 
same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and 
agencies of the United States.
    (d) Gifts.--To the extent provided in advance in appropriation 
Acts, the Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations 
of services or property.

SEC. 6. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.

    The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to--
            (1) provide assistance to the Commission, including advice 
        on collections, storage, and archives;
            (2) provide assistance in conducting any public hearings or 
        forums held by the Commission; and
            (3) provide staff assistance and support to the Commission.

SEC. 7. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall terminate 60 days after submitting its final 
report under section 3.
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