Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commission Act

Summary: Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commission Act - Establishes the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commission to plan, encourage, coordinate, and conduct the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase and its exploration by Lewis and Clark. 
Authorizes appropriations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and 
Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commission Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase occurs in 
        2003, two hundred years after the United States, under the 
        leadership of President Thomas Jefferson and after due 
        consideration and approval by Congress, paid $15 million to 
        France to acquire the vast area in the western half of the 
        Mississippi River Basin;
            (2) the Louisiana Purchase was the largest peaceful land 
        transaction in history and virtually doubled the size of the 
        United States;
            (3) the Louisiana Purchase opened the heart of the North 
        American continent for exploration, settlement, and 
        achievement, as exemplified by the Lewis and Clark Expedition 
        of 1803 to 1806, which secured through heroic efforts the first 
        documentation of the inhabitants, riches, and grandeur of this 
        new territory of the United States;
            (4) in the wake of the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and 
        Clark Expedition, immigrants from around the world came to the 
        American frontier, which became emblematic of the search for 
        political, economic, and spiritual freedom; and
            (5) commemoration of the Louisiana Purchase and the opening 
        of the West can enhance public understanding of the impact of 
        Westward expansion on American society and can provide lessons 
        for democratic governance in our own time.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known 
as the ``Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial 
Commission'' (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the 
``Commission'') to plan, encourage, coordinate, and conduct the 
commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of the Louisiana 
Purchase and its exploration by Lewis and Clark.
    (b) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 24 members, 
who shall be appointed not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, as follows:
            (1) Eight members appointed by the President upon the 
        recommendation of the majority leader of the Senate in 
        consultation with the minority leader of the Senate.
            (2) Eight members appointed by the President upon 
        recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
        in consultation with the minority leader of the House of 
        Representatives.
            (3) Eight members appointed by the President, which members 
        shall be broadly representative of the people of the United 
        States, and not otherwise officers or employees of the United 
        States.
    (c) Qualifications.--The President and each of the individuals 
making recommendations to the President regarding appointments shall 
seek to achieve a balanced membership representing, to the extent 
practicable, the Nation as a whole. The Commission members shall be 
chosen from among individuals who have demonstrated scholarship, a 
strong sense of public service, expertise in the learned professions, 
and abilities likely to contribute to the fulfillment of the duties of 
the Commission.
    (d) Terms.--Members of the Commission shall be appointed for the 
life of the Commission.
    (e) International Participation.--The President is authorized and 
requested to invite the governments of Canada, France, Great Britain, 
Mexico, and Spain each to appoint, not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, one individual to serve as a 
nonvoting participant in the activities of the Commission.
    (f) Chair and Vice-Chair.--The President shall designate one of the 
members to be Chairperson, who shall serve in that position at the 
pleasure of the President. The Commission shall elect a Vice-
Chairperson from among its members.
    (g) Quorum.--Thirteen members of the Commission shall constitute a 
quorum, but a lesser number may conduct meetings.
    (h) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the 
same manner in which the original appointment was made.
    (i) Compensation.--The members of the Commission shall serve 
without compensation, but each member shall be reimbursed for travel, 
subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance 
of Commission duties.

SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) In general.--The Commission shall--
            (1) plan and develop activities appropriate to commemorate 
        the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and 
        Clark Expedition, including a limited number of projects to be 
        undertaken by the Federal Government, seeking to harmonize and 
        balance the important goals of ceremony and celebration with 
        the equally important goals of scholarship and education;
            (2) consult with and encourage Indian tribes, appropriate 
        Federal departments and agencies, State and local governments, 
        foreign governments, and private organizations to organize and 
        participate in bicentennial activities commemorating or 
        examining the history of the Louisiana Territory, the 
        negotiation of the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark 
        Expedition, the specific characteristics of the frontier 
        movement and the westward expansion of the United States with 
        their influences on the culture of the world; and
            (3) coordinate, generally, activities throughout the United 
        States and international activities related to the history and 
        influence of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark 
        Expedition.
    (b) Federal Agency Cooperation.--Federal departments and agencies 
are authorized and requested to cooperate with the Commission in 
planning, encouraging, coordinating, and conducting appropriate 
commemorative activities.

SEC. 5. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) In general.--The Commission may provide for--
            (1) the preparation, distribution, dissemination, 
        exhibition, and sale of historical, commemorative, and 
        informational materials and objects which will contribute to 
        public awareness of, and interest in, the bicentennial, except 
        that any commemorative coins, medals, or postage stamps 
        recommended to be issued by the United States shall be sold 
        only by an agency of the United States;
            (2) competitions and awards for historical, scholarly, 
        artistic, literary, musical, and other works, programs, and 
        projects relating to the bicentennial;
            (3) a bicentennial calendar or register of programs and 
        projects, and in other ways provide a central clearinghouse for 
        information and coordination regarding dates, events, places, 
        documents, artifacts, and personalities of bicentennial 
        historical and commemorative significance; and
            (4) the design and designation of logos, symbols, or marks 
        for use in connection with the commemoration of the 
        bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark 
        Expedition, and shall prescribe rules and regulations regarding 
        their use, which shall provide that the Commission may not 
        sell, lease, or otherwise grant to any person the right to use 
        any such logo, symbol, or mark in connection with the 
        production or manufacture of any commercial goods, or as part 
        of an advertisement promoting any commercial goods or services.
    (b) Donations.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission may accept, use, solicit, 
        and dispose of donations of money, property, or personal 
        services.
            (2) Limitations.--The Commission may not accept donations--
                    (A) the value of which exceeds $50,000 annually, in 
                the case of donations from an individual; or
                    (B) the value of which exceeds $250,000 annually, 
                in the case of donations from a corporation, 
                partnership, or other business organization.
            (3) Exception.--The limitations in paragraph (2) shall not 
        apply in the case of an organization described in section 
        501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 
        501(c)(3)) and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of 
        such Code.
    (c) Preservation.--All books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed 
matter, memorabilia, relics, and other materials or property relating 
to the time period of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark 
Expedition, received by the Commission by donation may be deposited for 
preservation in National, State, or local libraries, museums, or other 
agencies.

SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS AND POWERS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Appointment of officers.--The Chairperson, with the 
        advice of the whole Commission, shall appoint, to serve at the 
        pleasure of the Chairperson, without regard to the provisions 
        of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the 
        competitive service--
                    (A) a Director who may be compensated at a rate not 
                to exceed the rate of basic pay payable for level IV of 
                the Executive Schedule established under section 5315 
                of such title; and
                    (B) a Deputy Director who may be compensated at a 
                rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable for 
                level V of the Executive Schedule established under 
                section 5316 of such title.
            (2) Delegation to director.--The Commission may delegate 
        such powers and duties to the Director as may be necessary for 
        the efficient operation and management of the Commission.
    (b) General Powers.--Subject to such rules and regulations as may 
be adopted by the Commission, the Commission may--
            (1) appoint and fix the compensation of such additional 
        personnel, not to exceed 20 staff members, as it deems 
        advisable, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United 
        States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, 
        and without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 
        53 of such title relating to classification and General 
        Schedule pay rates, but at rates not in excess of the maximum 
        rate for grade GS-15 of the General Schedule under section 5332 
        of such title;
            (2) appoint such advisory committees as it deems necessary; 
        and
            (3) procure supplies, services, and property, make 
        contracts, expend funds appropriated, donated, or received to 
        carry out such contracts.
    (c) Staff Detailed From Federal Agencies.--Upon request of the 
Commission, the head of any Federal agency may detail any of the 
personnel of such agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in 
carrying out its duties under this Act.
    (d) Staff Paid From Donated Funds.--The Commission may appoint and 
fix the pay of additional personnel to be paid out of private 
donations.
    (e) Principal Office.--The principal office of the Commission shall 
be in St. Louis, Missouri.

SEC. 7. REPORTING AND TERMINATION.

    (a) Annual Reports.--The Commission shall report to the President 
and Congress annually on its activities, its expenditures, and all 
donations.
    (b) Comprehensive Report.--Not later than three years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the 
President and to Congress a comprehensive report incorporating its 
specific recommendations for the commemoration of the bicentennial of 
the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark Expedition and related 
events. The report of the Commission 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. This report may recommend activities 
such as--
            (1) the production, publication, and distribution of books, 
        pamphlets, films, electronic publications, and other 
        educational materials focusing on the history and impact of the 
        Louisiana Purchase on the United States and the world;
            (2) bibliographical and documentary projects, publications, 
        and electronic resources;
            (3) conferences, convocations, lectures, seminars, and 
        other programs;
            (4) the development of programs by and for libraries, 
        museums, parks, and historic sites, including national and 
        international traveling exhibitions;
            (5) ceremonies and celebrations commemorating specific 
        events;
            (6) the production, distribution, and performance of 
        artistic works, and of programs and activities, focusing on the 
        national and international significance of the Louisiana 
        Purchase and the westward movement opening the frontier for 
        present and future generations; and
            (7) the issuance of commemorative coins, medals, 
        certificates of recognition, and postage stamps.
    (c) Final Report and Termination.--The Commission shall make a 
final report to the President and Congress, and shall terminate, by 
March 1, 2007.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out the purposes of this Act $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2000 and such 
sums as may be necessary for the subsequent fiscal years through fiscal 
year 2007.
    (b) Availability of Funds.--Amounts appropriated under this section 
for any fiscal year shall remain available until March 1, 2007.
    (c) Limitation.--The total appropriations authorized under this Act 
shall not exceed $8,000,000.