To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of American Latino Heritage to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of American Latino Heritage in Washington, DC, and for other purposes.

Summary: Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of American Latino Heritage Act of 2006 - Establishes the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of American Latino Heritage to report its recommendations with respect to developing a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino Heritage in Washington, D.C.

Requires the Commission to develop a fund-raising plan for supporting the creation and maintenance of the Museum through contributions by the American people, and a separate plan on fund-raising by the American Latino community.

Instructs the Commission to examine and report on: (1) the availability and cost of collections to be acquired and housed in the Museum; (2) the impact of the Museum on regional Hispanic- and Latino-related museums; (3) possible locations for the Museum in Washington, D.C.; (4) whether the Museum should be located within the Smithsonian Institution; (5) the governance and organizational structure from which the Museum should operate; (6) how to engage the American Latino community in the development and design of the Museum; and (7) the cost of constructing, operating, and maintaining the Museum.

Requires the Commission, based on the recommendations contained in the reports described above, to submit for consideration to specified congressional committees recommendations for a legislative plan of action to create and construct the Museum.

 Authorizes the Commission to convene a national conference on the Museum, which shall be comprised of individuals committed to the advancement of American Latino life, art, history, and culture.

Instructs the Department of the Interior to provide from funds appropriated for this purpose administrative services, facilities, and funds necessary for the performance of the Commission's functions. Makes such funds available prior to any meetings of the Commission.

Excepts the Commission from application of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Authorizes appropriations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Commission to Study the Potential 
Creation of a National Museum of American Latino Heritage Act of 
2006''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--There is established the Commission to Study the 
Potential Creation of a National Museum of American Latino Heritage 
(hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'').
    (b) Membership.--The Commission shall consist of 23 members 
appointed not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of 
this Act as follows:
            (1) The President shall appoint 7 voting members.
            (2) The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the 
        minority leader of the House of Representatives, the majority 
        leader of the Senate, and the minority leader of the Senate 
        shall each appoint 3 voting members.
            (3) In addition to the members appointed under paragraph 
        (2), the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority 
        leader of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of 
        the Senate, and the minority leader of the Senate shall each 
        appoint 1 nonvoting member.
    (c) Qualifications.--Members of the Commission shall be chosen from 
among individuals, or representatives of institutions or entities, who 
possess either--
            (1) a demonstrated commitment to the research, study, or 
        promotion of American Latino life, art, history, political or 
        economic status, or culture, together with--
                    (A) expertise in museum administration;
                    (B) expertise in fundraising for nonprofit or 
                cultural institutions;
                    (C) experience in the study and teaching of Latino 
                culture and history at the post-secondary level;
                    (D) experience in studying the issue of the 
                Smithsonian Institution's representation of American 
                Latino art, life, history, and culture; or
                    (E) extensive experience in public or elected 
                service; or
            (2) experience in the administration of, or the planning 
        for the establishment of, museums devoted to the study and 
        promotion of the role of ethnic, racial, or cultural groups in 
        American history.

SEC. 3. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Plan of Action for Establishment and Maintenance of Museum.--
The Commission shall submit a report to the President and the Congress 
containing its recommendations with respect to a plan of action for the 
establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of American Latino 
Heritage in Washington, DC (hereafter in this Act referred to as the 
``Museum'').
    (b) Fundraising Plan.--The Commission shall develop a fundraising 
plan for supporting the creation and maintenance of the Museum through 
contributions by the American people, and a separate plan on 
fundraising by the American Latino community.
    (c) Report on Issues.--The Commission shall examine (in 
consultation with the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution), and 
submit a report to the President and the Congress on, the following 
issues:
            (1) The availability and cost of collections to be acquired 
        and housed in the Museum.
            (2) The impact of the Museum on regional Hispanic- and 
        Latino-related museums.
            (3) Possible locations for the Museum in Washington, DC and 
        its environs, to be considered in consultation with the 
        National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine 
        Arts, the Department of the Interior and Smithsonian 
        Institution.
            (4) Whether the Museum should be located within the 
        Smithsonian Institution.
            (5) The governance and organizational structure from which 
        the Museum should operate.
            (6) How to engage the American Latino community in the 
        development and design of the Museum.
            (7) The cost of constructing, operating, and maintaining 
        the Museum.
    (d) Legislation to Carry Out Plan of Action.--Based on the 
recommendations contained in the report submitted under subsection (a) 
and the report submitted under subsection (c), the Commission shall 
submit for consideration to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on House 
Administration of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules 
and Administration of the Senate, the Committee on Resources of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
of the Senate, and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives and the Senate recommendations for a legislative plan 
of action to create and construct the Museum.
    (e) National Conference.--In carrying out its functions under this 
section, the Commission may convene a national conference on the 
Museum, comprised of individuals committed to the advancement of 
American Latino life, art, history, and culture, not later than 18 
months after the commission members are selected.

SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    (a) Facilities and Support of Department of the Interior.--The 
Department of the Interior shall provide from funds appropriated for 
this purpose administrative services, facilities, and funds necessary 
for the performance of the Commission's functions. These funds shall be 
made available prior to any meetings of the Commission.
    (b) Compensation.--Each member of the Commission who is not an 
officer or employee of the Federal Government may receive compensation 
for each day on which the member is engaged in the work of the 
Commission, at a daily rate to be determined by the Secretary of the 
Interior.
    (c) Travel Expenses.--Each member shall be entitled to travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with 
applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, 
United States Code.
    (d) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Commission is not subject 
to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

SEC. 5. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF REPORTS; TERMINATION.

    (a) Deadline.--The Commission shall submit final versions of the 
reports and plans required under section 3 not later than 24 months 
after the date of the Commission's first meeting.
    (b) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate not later than 30 
days after submitting the final versions of reports and plans pursuant 
to subsection (a).

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated for carrying out the 
activities of the Commission $2,100,000 for the first fiscal year 
beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act and $1,100,000 
for the second fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 27, 2006.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.