[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4875 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.R.4875

                     One Hundred Fourteenth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

           Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
           the fourth day of January, two thousand and sixteen


                                 An Act


 
 To establish the United States Semiquincentennial 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 ``United States Semiquincentennial 
Commission Act of 2016''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.
    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that July 4, 2026, the 250th 
anniversary of the founding of the United States, as marked by the 
Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the historic events preceding 
that anniversary--
        (1) are of major significance in the development of the 
    national heritage of the United States of individual liberty, 
    representative government, and the attainment of equal and 
    inalienable rights; and
        (2) have had a profound influence throughout the world.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to establish a Commission 
to provide for the observance and commemoration of the 250th 
anniversary of the founding of the United States and related events 
through local, State, national, and international activities planned, 
encouraged, developed, and coordinated by a national commission 
representative of appropriate public and private authorities and 
organizations.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
    In this Act:
        (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the United 
    States Semiquincentennial Commission established by section 4(a).
        (2) Private citizen.--The term ``private citizen'' means an 
    individual who is not an officer or employee of--
            (A) the Federal Government; or
            (B) a State or local government.
        (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
    the Interior.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
    (a) In General.--There is established a commission, to be known as 
the ``United States Semiquincentennial Commission'', to plan, 
encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the history of 
the United States leading up to the 250th anniversary of the founding 
of the United States.
    (b) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of the following 
members:
        (1) Four members of the Senate, of whom--
            (A) two shall be appointed by the majority leader of the 
        Senate; and
            (B) two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the 
        Senate.
        (2) Four members of the House of Representatives, of whom--
            (A) two shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (B) two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the 
        House of Representatives.
        (3) Sixteen members who are private citizens, of whom--
            (A) four shall be appointed by the majority leader of the 
        Senate;
            (B) four shall be appointed by the minority leader of the 
        Senate;
            (C) four shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
        Representatives;
            (D) four shall be appointed by the minority leader of the 
        House of Representatives; and
            (E) one of whom shall be designated by the President as the 
        Chairperson.
        (4) The following nonvoting ex officio members:
            (A) The Secretary.
            (B) The Secretary of State.
            (C) The Attorney General.
            (D) The Secretary of Defense.
            (E) The Secretary of Education.
            (F) The Librarian of Congress.
            (G) The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
            (H) The Archivist of the United States.
            (I) The presiding officer of the Federal Council on the 
        Arts and the Humanities.
    (c) Term; Vacancies.--
        (1) Term.--A member shall be appointed for the life of the 
    Commission.
        (2) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission--
            (A) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and
            (B) shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
        appointment was made.
    (d) Meetings.--All meetings of the Commission shall be convened at 
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to honor the 
historical significance of the building as the site of deliberations 
and adoption of both the United States Declaration of Independence and 
Constitution.
    (e) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall 
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
SEC. 5. DUTIES.
    (a) In General.--The Commission shall--
        (1) prepare an overall program for commemorating the 250th 
    anniversary of the founding of the United States and the historic 
    events preceding that anniversary; and
        (2) plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate observances and 
    activities commemorating the historic events that preceded, and are 
    associated with, the United States Semiquincentennial.
    (b) Requirements.--
        (1) In general.--In preparing plans and an overall program, the 
    Commission--
            (A) shall give due consideration to any related plans and 
        programs developed by State, local, and private groups; and
            (B) may designate special committees with representatives 
        from groups described in subparagraph (A) to plan, develop, and 
        coordinate specific activities.
        (2) Emphasis.--The Commission shall--
            (A) emphasize the planning of events in locations of 
        historical significance to the United States, especially in 
        those locations that witnessed the assertion of American 
        liberty, such as--
                (i) the 13 colonies; and
                (ii) leading cities, including Boston, Charleston, New 
            York City, and Philadelphia; and
            (B) give special emphasis to--
                (i) the role of persons and locations with significant 
            impact on the history of the United States during the 250-
            year period beginning on the date of execution of the 
            Declaration of Independence; and
                (ii) the ideas associated with that history, which have 
            been so important in the development of the United States, 
            in world affairs, and in the quest for freedom of all 
            mankind.
        (3) Infrastructure.--The Commission shall--
            (A) evaluate existing infrastructure;
            (B) include in the report required under subsection (c) 
        recommendations for what infrastructure should be in place for 
        the successful undertaking of an appropriate celebration in 
        accordance with this Act; and
            (C) coordinate with State and local bodies to make 
        necessary infrastructure improvements.
    (c) Report Submitted to the President.--
        (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
    enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the President 
    a comprehensive report that includes the specific recommendations 
    of the Commission for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary 
    and related events.
        (2) Recommended activities.--The report may include recommended 
    activities such as--
            (A) the production, publication, and distribution of books, 
        pamphlets, films, and other educational materials focusing on 
        the history, culture, and political thought of the period of 
        the American Revolution;
            (B) bibliographical and documentary projects and 
        publications;
            (C) conferences, convocations, lectures, seminars, and 
        other programs, especially those located in the 13 colonies, 
        including the major cities and buildings of national historical 
        significance of the 13 colonies;
            (D) the development of libraries, museums, historic sites, 
        and exhibits, including mobile exhibits;
            (E) ceremonies and celebrations commemorating specific 
        events, such as--
                (i) the signing of the Declaration of Independence;
                (ii) programs and activities focusing on the national 
            and international significance of the United States 
            Semiquincentennial; and
                (iii) the implications of the Semiquincentennial for 
            present and future generations; and
            (F) encouraging Federal agencies to integrate the 
        celebration of the Semiquincentennial into the regular 
        activities and execution of the purpose of the agencies through 
        such activities as the issuance of coins, medals, certificates 
        of recognition, stamps, and the naming of vessels.
        (3) Requirements.--The report shall include--
            (A) the recommendations of the Commission for the 
        allocation of financial and administrative responsibility among 
        the public and private authorities and organizations 
        recommended for participation by the Commission; and
            (B) proposals for such legislative enactments and 
        administrative actions as the Commission considers necessary to 
        carry out the recommendations.
    (d) Report Submitted to Congress.--The President shall submit to 
Congress a report that contains--
        (1) the complete report of the Commission; and
        (2) such comments and recommendations for legislation and such 
    a description of administrative actions taken by the President as 
    the President considers appropriate.
    (e) Point of Contact.--The Commission, acting through the 
secretariat of the Commission described in section 9(b), shall serve as 
the point of contact of the Federal Government for all State, local, 
international, and private sector initiatives regarding the 
Semiquincentennial of the founding of the United States, with the 
purpose of coordinating and facilitating all fitting and proper 
activities honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United 
States.
SEC. 6. COORDINATION.
    (a) In General.--In carrying out this Act, the Commission shall 
consult and cooperate with, and seek advice and assistance from, 
appropriate Federal agencies, State and local public bodies, learned 
societies, and historical, patriotic, philanthropic, civic, 
professional, and related organizations.
    (b) Responsibility of Other Federal Agencies.--
        (1) In general.--Federal agencies shall cooperate with the 
    Commission in planning, encouraging, developing, and coordinating 
    appropriate commemorative activities.
        (2) Department of the interior.--
            (A) In general.--The Secretary shall undertake a study of 
        appropriate actions that might be taken to further preserve and 
        develop historic sites and battlefields, at such time and in 
        such manner as will ensure that fitting observances and 
        exhibits may be held at appropriate sites and battlefields 
        during the 250th anniversary celebration.
            (B) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the Commission a 
        report that contains the results of the study and the 
        recommendations of the Secretary, in time to afford the 
        Commission an opportunity--
                (i) to review the study; and
                (ii) to incorporate in the report described in section 
            5(c) such findings and recommendations as the Commission 
            considers appropriate.
        (3) Arts and humanities.--
            (A) In general.--The presiding officer of the Federal 
        Council on the Arts and the Humanities, the Chairperson of the 
        National Endowment for the Arts, and the Chairperson of the 
        National Endowment for the Humanities shall cooperate with the 
        Commission, especially in the encouragement and coordination of 
        scholarly works and artistic expressions focusing on the 
        history, culture, and political thought of the period predating 
        the United States Semiquincentennial.
            (B) Library of congress, smithsonian institution, and 
        archives.--
                (i) In general.--The Librarian of Congress, the 
            Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and the Archivist 
            of the United States shall cooperate with the Commission, 
            especially in the development and display of exhibits and 
            collections and in the development of bibliographies, 
            catalogs, and other materials relevant to the period 
            predating the United States Semiquincentennial.
                (ii) Location.--To the maximum extent practicable, 
            displays described in subparagraph (A) shall be located in, 
            or in facilities near to, buildings of historical 
            significance to the American Revolution, so as to promote 
            greater public awareness of the heritage of the United 
            States.
            (C) Submission of recommendations.--Each of the officers 
        described in this paragraph shall submit to the Commission a 
        report containing recommendations in time to afford the 
        Commission an opportunity--
                (i) to review the reports; and
                (ii) to incorporate in the report described in section 
            5(c) such findings and recommendations as the Commission 
            considers appropriate.
        (4) Department of state.--The Secretary of State shall 
    coordinate the participation of foreign nations in the celebration 
    of the United States Semiquincentennial, including by soliciting 
    the erection of monuments and other cultural cooperations in 
    founding cities of the United States so as--
            (A) to celebrate the shared heritage of the United States 
        with the many peoples and nations of the world; and
            (B) to provide liaison and encouragement for the erection 
        of international pavilions to showcase the spread of democratic 
        institutions abroad in the period following the American 
        Revolution.
SEC. 7. POWERS.
    (a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, meet and act 
at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such 
evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out this Act.
    (b) Information From Federal Agencies.--
        (1) In general.--The Commission may secure directly from a 
    Federal agency such information as the Commission considers 
    necessary to carry out this Act.
        (2) Provision of information.--On request of the Chairperson of 
    the Commission, the head of the agency shall provide the 
    information to the Commission.
    (c) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States 
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other 
agencies of the Federal Government.
    (d) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or 
donations of money, property, or personal services.
    (e) Additional Powers.--As determined necessary by the Commission, 
the Commission may--
        (1) procure supplies, services, and property;
        (2) make contracts;
        (3) expend in furtherance of this Act funds donated or received 
    in pursuance of contracts entered into under this Act; and
        (4) take such actions as are necessary to enable the Commission 
    to carry out efficiently and in the public interest the purposes of 
    this Act.
    (f) Use of Materials.--
        (1) Time capsule.--A representative portion of all books, 
    manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, and 
    other materials relating to the United States Semiquincentennial 
    shall be deposited in a time capsule--
            (A) to be buried in Independence Mall, Philadelphia, on 
        July 4, 2026; and
            (B) to be unearthed on the occasion of the 500th 
        anniversary of the United States of America on July 4, 2276.
        (2) Other materials.--All other books, manuscripts, 
    miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, and other 
    materials relating to the United States Semiquincentennial, whether 
    donated to the Commission or collected by the Commission, may be 
    deposited for preservation in national, State, or local libraries 
    or museums or be otherwise disposed of by the Commission, in 
    consultation with the Librarian of Congress, the Secretary of the 
    Smithsonian Institution, the Archivist of the United States, and 
    the Administrator of General Services.
    (g) Property.--Any property acquired by the Commission remaining on 
termination of the Commission may be--
        (1) used by the Secretary for purposes of the National Park 
    Service; or
        (2) disposed of as excess or surplus property.
SEC. 8. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
    (a) Compensation of Members.--The members of the Commission shall 
receive no compensation for service on the Commission.
    (b) 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.
    (c) Staff.--
        (1) In general.--The Chairperson of the 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 Commission to perform the 
    duties of the Commission.
        (2) Confirmation of executive director.--The employment of an 
    executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the 
    Commission.
        (3) Compensation.--
            (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
        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.
            (B) 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 Federal Government Employees.--
        (1) In general.--An employee of the Federal Government may be 
    detailed to the Commission without reimbursement.
        (2) Civil service status.--The detail of the employee shall be 
    without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.
    (e) 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 that title.
    (f) Advisory Committees.--The Commission may appoint such advisory 
committees as the Commission determines necessary.
SEC. 9. EXPENDITURES OF COMMISSION.
    (a) In General.--All expenditures of the Commission shall be made 
solely from donated funds.
    (b) Administrative Secretariat.--The Secretary of the Interior 
shall, through a competitive process, seek to enter into an arrangement 
with a nonprofit organization, the mission of which is consistent with 
the purpose of this Act. Under such arrangement, such nonprofit 
organization shall--
        (1) serve as the secretariat of the Commission, including by 
    serving as the point of contact under section 5(e);
        (2) house the administrative offices of the Commission;
        (3) assume responsibility for funds of the Commission; and
        (4) provide to the Commission financial and administrative 
    services, including services related to budgeting, accounting, 
    financial reporting, personnel, and procurement.
    (c) Payment for Financial and Administrative Services.--
        (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), payment for services 
    provided under subsection (b)(4) shall be made in advance, or by 
    reimbursement, from funds of the Commission in such amounts as may 
    be agreed on by the Chairperson of the Commission and the 
    secretariat of the Commission.
        (2) Relationship to regulations.--
            (A) Erroneous payments.--The regulations under section 5514 
        of title 5, United States Code, relating to the collection of 
        indebtedness of personnel resulting from erroneous payments 
        shall apply to the collection of erroneous payments made to, or 
        on behalf of, a Commission employee.
            (B) No promulgation by commission.--The Commission shall 
        not be required to prescribe any regulations relating to the 
        matters described in subparagraph (A).
    (d) Annual Report.--Once each year during the period beginning on 
the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2027, the 
Commission shall submit to Congress a report of the activities of the 
Commission, including an accounting of funds received and expended 
during the year covered by the report.
  SEC. 10. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.
    The Commission shall terminate on December 31, 2027.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.