[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1014 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1014
To establish the Route 66 Centennial Commission, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 3, 2019
Ms. Duckworth (for herself and Mr. Inhofe) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Route 66 Centennial 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 ``Route 66 Centennial Commission
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) Route 66 was the first all-paved highway in the United
States under the United States 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 for 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 Federal Government established multiple industries and
military bases during World War II, and on 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 positive outlook of the United
States 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;
(5) during the 1950s and 1960s, the tourist industry along
Route 66 grew tremendously, giving rise to countless tourist
courts, motels, service stations, garages, and diners;
(6) 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; and
(7) the year 2026 will be the centennial anniversary of
Route 66, and a commission should be established to study and
recommend in a report to Congress activities that are fitting
and proper to celebrate that anniversary in a manner that
appropriately honors the Mother Road of the United States.
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--
(1) plan, develop a list of, and carry out such activities
as the Commission determines to be appropriate to honor Route
66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary;
(2) provide advice and assistance to Federal, State, and
local governmental agencies and civic groups in carrying out
activities to honor Route 66 on the occasion of its centennial
anniversary;
(3) recommend activities that may be carried out by the
Federal Government to honor Route 66 on the occasion of its
centennial anniversary; and
(4) submit to Congress reports pursuant to section 8.
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 15
members appointed as follows:
(1) 3 members, each of whom shall be an eligible individual
described in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Secretary of Transportation.
(2) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of Illinois.
(3) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of Missouri.
(4) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of Kansas.
(5) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of Oklahoma.
(6) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of Texas.
(7) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of New Mexico.
(8) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of Arizona.
(9) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described
in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the
recommendation of the Governor of California.
(10) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual
described in subsection (b), appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives.
(11) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual
described in subsection (b), appointed by the Minority Leader
of the House of Representatives.
(12) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual
described in subsection (b), appointed by the Majority Leader
of the Senate.
(13) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual
described in subsection (b), appointed by the Minority Leader
of the Senate.
(b) Eligible Individual.--An eligible individual referred to in
subsection (a) is an individual 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 enactment of this Act.
(d) Terms.--Each member shall be appointed for the life of the
Commission.
(e) 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.
(f) Basic Pay.--Members shall serve on the Commission without pay.
(g) 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.
(h) Quorum.--7 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum,
but a lesser number may hold hearings.
(i) Chair and Vice Chair.--The Commission shall select a Chair and
Vice Chair from among the members of the Commission.
(j) Meetings.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall meet at the call of
the Chair.
(2) Location.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), each meeting and hearing of the Commission shall
be held in a location along the Route 66 corridor.
(B) Exception.--The Commission may hold a meeting
or hearing in a location that is not along the Route 66
corridor if, in the determination of the Commission,
holding the meeting or hearing in that location is
necessary to accomplish the duties of the Commission.
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 shall--
(A) be appointed subject to the provisions of title
5, United States Code, governing appointments in the
competitive service; and
(B) be paid at a rate not to exceed the rate
payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) Staff.--The staff of the Commission shall--
(A) be appointed subject to the provisions of title
5, United States Code, governing appointments in the
competitive service; and
(B) be paid in accordance with the provisions of
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5,
United States Code, relating to classification and
General Schedule pay rates.
SEC. 7. POWERS.
(a) Hearings and Sessions.--The Commission may 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 to carry
out this Act.
(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 under this Act.
(c) Obtaining Official Data.--
(1) In general.--The Commission may secure directly from
any Federal department or agency information necessary to
enable the Commission to carry out this Act.
(2) Requirement.--Subject to paragraph (3), on request of
the Chair of the Commission, the head of a Federal department
or agency shall provide to the Commission the requested
information.
(3) Exception.--Nothing in this subsection shall require
any Federal department or agency to produce records that are
subject to a common law evidentiary privilege.
(d) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the
same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal departments
and agencies.
(e) Administrative Support Services.--
(1) In general.--On 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 this Act.
(2) Detailees.--
(A) In general.--At the request of the Commission,
the head of any Federal agency or department may detail
to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, any
employee of the agency or department.
(B) Civil service status.--The detail of an
employee under subparagraph (A) shall be without
interruption or loss of civil service status or
privilege.
(f) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts,
grants, bequests, or devises of money, services, or property from any
public or private source for the purpose of covering the costs incurred
by the Commission in carrying out 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 that includes 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 by not later than 90 days before the
termination of the Commission under section 9.
SEC. 9. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate not later than June 30, 2027.
SEC. 10. CLARIFICATION REGARDING FUNDING.
(a) In General.--No additional funds are authorized to carry out
the requirements of this Act.
(b) Use of Existing Funds.--
(1) In general.--The requirements of this Act may be
carried out using amounts made available to the Secretary of
Transportation and not otherwise obligated, from accounts
identified pursuant to paragraph (2).
(2) Identification of existing funds.--The Secretary of
Transportation shall identify any accounts of the Secretary
from which the Secretary could use funds available in that
account and not otherwise obligated to carry out this Act.
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