Route 66 Centennial Commission Act

Summary: Route 66 Centennial Commission Act (Sec. 3) This bill establishes the Route 66 Centennial Commission to honor highway Route 66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary. (Sec. 4) The bill sets forth the duties of the commission, its membership, powers, and reporting requirements.  (Sec. 9) The Department of Transportation shall prepare a plan on the preservation needs of Route 66. (Sec. 10) The commission shall terminate not later than June 30, 2027.

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.

SEC. 11. CLARIFICATION REGARDING FUNDING.

    No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of 
this Act. Such requirements may be carried out using amounts otherwise 
authorized or made available for the Department of Transportation, 
except for amounts authorized from the Highway Trust Fund.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 16, 2018.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.