[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 66 Engrossed in House (EH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 66
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To establish the Route 66 Centennial Commission, to direct the
Secretary of Transportation to prepare a plan on the preservation needs
of Route 66, 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 ``Route 66 Centennial Commission
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Route 66 was the Nation's first all-paved highway under
the U.S. Highway System connecting the Midwest to California
and has played a major role in the history of the United
States.
(2) Route 66 was the symbol of opportunity to hundreds of
thousands of people seeking escape from the Dust Bowl in the
1930s, serving as a ``road to opportunity'' in the West and
providing employment during the Great Depression, as thousands
were put to work on road crews to pave the road.
(3) Route 66 was invaluable in transporting troops,
equipment, and supplies across the country to the West, where
the government established multiple industries and armed force
bases during World War II. Upon the conclusion of the war in
1945, Route 66 was a key route taken by thousands of troops as
they returned home.
(4) Route 66 symbolized the Nation's positive outlook
during the postwar economic recovery in the 1950s and 1960s,
serving as an icon of free-spirited independence and linking
people across the United States. During this period, the
tourist industry along Route 66 grew tremendously, giving rise
to countless tourist courts, motels, service stations, garages,
and diners.
(5) Since June 27, 1985, when Route 66 was decommissioned
as a Federal highway, the popularity and mythical stature of
Route 66 has grown domestically and internationally, as the
road has experienced a rebirth of interest and support.
(6) The year 2026 will be the centennial anniversary of
Route 66, and a commission should be established to study and
recommend to Congress activities that are fitting and proper to
celebrate that anniversary in a manner that appropriately
honors America's Mother Road.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established a commission to be known as the Route 66
Centennial Commission (referred to in this Act as the ``Commission'').
SEC. 4. DUTIES.
The Commission shall have the following duties:
(1) To study activities that may be carried out by the
Federal Government to determine whether the activities are
fitting and proper to honor Route 66 on the occasion of its
centennial anniversary, including any of the activities
described under section 8(b)(2)(B).
(2) To recommend to Congress the activities the Commission
considers most fitting and proper to honor Route 66 on such
occasion, to be carried out by the Department of Transportation
and any other entity or entities within the Federal Government
that the Commission considers most appropriate to carry out
such activities.
(3) To plan and host, in cooperation with such partners, a
conference on the U.S. Numbered Highway System, and assist in
the activities of such a conference.
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 19
members appointed as follows:
(1) Three members, each of whom shall be a qualified
citizen described in subsection (b), appointed by the
President.
(2) Two members, each of whom shall be a qualified citizen
described in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Secretary of Transportation.
(3) One member, who shall be a qualified citizen described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of Illinois.
(4) One member, who shall be a qualified citizen described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of Missouri.
(5) One member, who shall be a qualified citizen described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of Kansas.
(6) One member, who shall be a qualified citizen described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of Oklahoma.
(7) One member, who shall be a qualified citizen described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of Texas.
(8) One member, who shall be a qualified citizen described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of New Mexico.
(9) One member, who shall be a qualified citizen described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of Arizona.
(10) One member, who shall be a qualified citizen described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of California.
(11) Three members, each of whom shall be a qualified
citizen described in subsection (b), appointed by the President
on the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, in consultation with the minority leader of
the House of Representatives.
(12) Three members, each of whom shall be a qualified
citizen described in subsection (b), appointed by the President
on the recommendation of the majority leader of the Senate, in
consultation with the minority leader of the Senate.
(b) Qualified Citizen.--A qualified citizen described in this
subsection is a private citizen of the United States with--
(1) a demonstrated dedication to educating others about the
importance of historical figures and events; and
(2) substantial knowledge and appreciation of Route 66.
(c) 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.
(d) Continuation of Membership.--If a member of the Commission was
appointed to the Commission as a Member of Congress, and ceases to be a
Member of Congress, 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 be a Member of Congress.
(e) Terms.--Each member shall be appointed for the life of the
Commission.
(f) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect the
powers of the Commission but shall be filled in the manner in which the
original appointment was made.
(g) Basic Pay.--Members shall serve on the Commission without pay.
(h) Travel Expenses.--Each member shall receive travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections
5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(i) Quorum.--Seven members of the Commission shall constitute a
quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings.
(j) Chair.--The President, in consultation with the Secretary of
Transportation, shall designate one member of the Commission as Chair.
(k) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair.
SEC. 6. DIRECTOR AND STAFF.
(a) Director.--The Commission may appoint and fix the pay of a
Director and such additional personnel as the Commission considers to
be appropriate.
(b) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws.--
(1) Director.--The Director of the Commission may be
appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United
States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service,
and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51
and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to
classification and General Schedule pay rates.
(2) Staff.--The staff of the Commission shall be appointed
subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code,
governing appointments in the competitive service, and shall be
paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and
subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to
classification and General Schedule pay rates.
SEC. 7. POWERS.
(a) Hearings and Sessions.--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 to be appropriate.
(b) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of the
Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action that
the Commission is authorized to take by this Act.
(c) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly
from any department or agency of the United States information
necessary to enable the Commission to carry out this Act. Upon request
of the Chair of the Commission, the head of that department or agency
shall furnish that information to the Commission.
(d) 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.
(e) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the
Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the
Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support
services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities
under this Act.
SEC. 8. REPORTS.
(a) Interim Reports.--The Commission may submit to Congress such
interim reports as the Commission considers to be appropriate.
(b) Comprehensive Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the
President and Congress a report incorporating specific
recommendations for the commemoration of the centennial of
Route 66 and related events.
(2) Contents of report.--The report under paragraph (1)--
(A) shall include recommendations for the
allocation of financial and administrative
responsibility among the public and private authorities
and organizations recommended for participation by the
Commission; and
(B) may recommend activities such as--
(i) the production, publication, and
distribution of books, pamphlets, films,
electronic publications, and other educational
materials focusing on the history and impact of
Route 66 on the United States and the world;
(ii) bibliographical and documentary
projects, publications, and electronic
resources;
(iii) conferences, convocations, lectures,
seminars, and other programs;
(iv) the development of programs by and for
libraries, museums, parks, and historic sites,
including national traveling exhibitions;
(v) ceremonies and celebrations
commemorating specific events;
(vi) the production, distribution, and
performance of artistic works, and of programs
and activities, focusing on the national and
international significance of Route 66; and
(vii) the issuance of commemorative coins,
medals, certificates of recognition, and
postage stamps.
(c) Final Report.--The Commission shall submit to the President and
Congress a final report not later than 90 days before the termination
of the Commission provided in section 10.
SEC. 9. PLAN ON PRESERVATION NEEDS OF ROUTE 66.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation
with the Governors referred to in section 5(a), shall prepare a plan on
the preservation needs of Route 66.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and the
President a report containing the plan prepared under subsection (a).
SEC. 10. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate not later than June 30, 2027.
Passed the House of Representatives February 6, 2019.
Attest:
Clerk.
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 66
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To establish the Route 66 Centennial Commission, to direct the
Secretary of Transportation to prepare a plan on the preservation needs
of Route 66, and for other purposes.