[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S3602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 6477. Mr. BANKS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:
SEC. 1094. VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION CONSULTATION
REQUIREMENTS FOR NATIONAL GLOBAL WAR ON
TERRORISM MEMORIAL.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Concept design.--The term ``concept design'' means an
initial concept design for a commemorative work, including
architectural renderings and design specifications, developed
by the sponsor following site approval and submitted to the
National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of
Fine Arts by the Secretary under section 8905(a)(2) of title
40, United States Code, as a design submission separate from
and subsequent to the site approval for the commemorative
work.
(2) Concept design review.--The term ``concept design
review'' means the review and approval of an initial concept
design by the National Capital Planning Commission and the
Commission of Fine Arts following submission by the Secretary
under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code,
prior to the submission of a preliminary design.
(3) Covered war memorial.--The term ``covered war
memorial'' means the National Global War on Terrorism
Memorial authorized by section 2(a) of the Global War on
Terrorism War Memorial Act (40 U.S.C. 8903 note; Public Law
115-51).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(5) Site approval.--The term ``site approval'' means the
approval by the National Capital Planning Commission and the
Commission of Fine Arts of the location for a commemorative
work, which may be granted as part of a combined site and
design submission or as a separate site-only submission under
section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, prior to
the commencement of design development.
(6) Sponsor.--The term ``sponsor'' means the Global War on
Terror Memorial Foundation.
(7) Veterans service organization.--The term ``veterans
service organization'' means--
(A) any veterans service organization chartered under part
B of subtitle II of title 36, United States Code; and
(B) any organization recognized under section 5902 of title
38, United States Code.
(b) Veterans Service Organization Feedback Window.--
(1) Timing.--With respect to the covered war memorial, the
Secretary may not submit a concept design to the National
Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts
under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code,
until the date on which the Secretary has completed all
requirements of this subsection, including the submission of
the response memorandum required under paragraph (4)(B).
(2) Notice.--
(A) In general.--Before the feedback period under paragraph
(3)(A) may commence, the Secretary shall submit to each
veterans service organization a written notice regarding the
concept design of the covered war memorial.
(B) Inclusions.--The written notice submitted under
subparagraph (A) shall include, at minimum--
(i) the name and subject of the covered war memorial;
(ii) architectural renderings and design specifications
comprising the concept design for the covered war memorial;
(iii) the proposed location of the covered war memorial
within the Reserve (as defined in section 8902(a) of title
40, United States Code), including a site map;
(iv) a summary of any site-specific guidelines or
conditions applicable to the covered war memorial established
by the National Capital Planning Commission or the Commission
of Fine Arts under section 8905(b)(6) of title 40, United
States Code; and
(v) the name, mailing address, and electronic contact
information of the National Park Service official designated
to receive feedback under this section.
(3) Feedback period.--
(A) In general.--During the 90-day period beginning on the
date on which the Secretary submits the notice required under
paragraph (2)(A), there shall be a feedback period during
which each veterans service organization may submit written
feedback to the Secretary regarding the concept design of the
covered war memorial.
(B) Voluntary participation.--
(i) In general.--The submission of feedback under this
paragraph is voluntary.
(ii) Effect of section.--Nothing in this section requires a
veterans service organization to submit feedback during the
feedback period under this paragraph.
(C) Prohibition on submission.--The Secretary may not
submit the concept design for the covered war memorial under
section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, until--
(i) the date on which the 90-day feedback period under
subparagraph (A) has concluded; and
(ii) the Secretary has completed and submitted the response
memorandum required under paragraph (4)(B).
(4) Consideration of feedback.--
(A) Review.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, shall review
and consider all feedback from each veterans service
organization timely submitted during the feedback period
under paragraph (3)(A) prior to making any submission
relating to the covered war memorial under section 8905(a)(2)
of title 40, United States Code.
(B) Response memorandum.--Not later than 30 days after the
end of the feedback period under paragraph (3)(A), the
Secretary shall prepare a written response memorandum that--
(i) summarizes feedback received, if any, from veterans
service organizations;
(ii) identifies any design modifications made, or
recommended to the sponsor, in response to such feedback; and
(iii) provides a written explanation for any feedback that
the Secretary determined could not be incorporated into the
concept design.
(C) Submission.--The Secretary shall submit the response
memorandum required under subparagraph (B) and any related
written feedback received under this section to--
(i) the National Capital Planning Commission;
(ii) the Commission of Fine Arts;
(iii) each veterans service organization that submitted
such feedback;
(iv) the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission;
(v) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate;
(vi) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives;
(vii) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate; and
(viii) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives.
(c) Public Availability.--The Secretary shall make publicly
available on the National Park Service website--
(1) all notices submitted under subsection (b)(2);
(2) all written feedback received from veterans service
organizations under subsection (b)(3); and
(3) the response memorandum required under subsection
(b)(4)(B).
(d) Effect of Section.--Nothing in this section--
(1) grants any veterans service organization a right of
approval, veto, or reconsideration over the design or
construction of any commemorative work;
(2) requires the Secretary, the National Capital Planning
Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, or the National
Capital Memorial Advisory Commission to incorporate any
feedback submitted under this section into the design of a
commemorative work;
(3) supersedes any requirement under chapter 89 of title
40, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Commemorative
Works Act''), any other applicable Federal law (including
regulations), or agency guidance; or
(4) applies to any commemorative work for which the
Secretary has submitted a concept design to the National
Capital Planning Commission or the Commission of Fine Arts
under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code,
before the date of enactment of this Act.
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