[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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