59–006 

114TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 114–486 

VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES CENTENNIAL 

COMMISSION ACT 

APRIL 12, 2016.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. CHAFFETZ, from the Committee on Oversight and Government 

Reform, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 2615] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to whom 

was referred the bill (H.R. 2615) to establish the Virgin Islands of 

the United States Centennial Commission, having considered the 

same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Committee Statement and Views ........................................................................... 3 

Section-by-Section .................................................................................................... 4 

Explanation of Amendments ................................................................................... 6 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 6 

Roll Call Votes ......................................................................................................... 6 

Application of Law to the Legislative Branch ....................................................... 6 

Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the Committee ...... 6 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 6 

Duplication of Federal Programs ............................................................................ 6 

Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings ..................................................................... 6 

Federal Advisory Committee Act ............................................................................ 7 

Unfunded Mandate Statement ............................................................................... 7 

Earmark Identification ............................................................................................ 7 

Committee Estimate ................................................................................................ 7 

Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate .................... 7 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial 

Commission Act’’. 


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SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT. 

There is established a commission to be known as the ‘‘Virgin Islands of the 

United States Centennial Commission’’ (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 

SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. 

The Commission shall— 

(1) plan, develop, and carry out such activities as the Commission determines 

to be appropriate to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Virgin Islands 

of the United States becoming an unincorporated territory of the United States; 

(2) provide advice and assistance to Federal, State, and local governmental 

agencies, as well as civic groups to carry out activities to commemorate the 

100th anniversary of the Virgin Islands of the United States becoming an unincorporated territory of the United States; and 

(3) submit to the President and Congress the reports required pursuant to 

section 7. 

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP. 

(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission shall be composed of 8 members as follows: 

(1) The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs or a designee 

of the Assistant Secretary. 

(2) One member appointed by the Governor of the Virgin Islands of the 

United States or a designee of the Governor. 

(3) Two Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker 

of the House of Representatives. 

(4) One Member of the House of Representatives appointed by the minority 

leader of the House of Representatives. 

(5) Two Members of the Senate appointed by the majority leader of the Senate. 

(6) One Member of the Senate appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. 

(b) TERMS.—Each member of the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the 

Commission. 

(c) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.—All members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

(d) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Commission shall— 

(1) not affect the powers of the Commission; and 

(2) be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. 

(e) RATES OF PAY.—Members shall not receive compensation for the performance 

of duties on behalf of the Commission. 

(f) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member of the Commission shall be reimbursed for 

travel and per diem in lieu of subsistence expenses during the performance of duties 

of the Commission while away from home or regular place of business of the member, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of 

title 5, United States Code. 

(g) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a 

quorum to conduct business, but two or more members may hold hearings. 

(h) CHAIRPERSON.—The chairperson of the Commission shall be selected by a majority vote of the members of the Commission. 

SEC. 5. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COMMISSION. 

(a) DIRECTOR AND STAFF.—The Commission shall appoint an executive director 

and such other additional personnel as are necessary to enable the Commission to 

perform the duties of the Commission. 

(b) APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE LAWS.—The executive director and 

staff 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 such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that 

the rate of pay for the executive director and other staff may not exceed the rate 

payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of such title. 

(c) DETAIL OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—Upon request of the Commission, the Secretary of the Interior or the Archivist of the United States may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of the Department of the Interior or the National Archives and Records Administration, respectively to the Commission to assist the Commission to perform the duties of the Commission. 

(d) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commission may procure such temporary 

and intermittent services from experts and consultants as are necessary to enable 

the Commission to perform the duties of the Commission. 


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(e) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERVICES.—Notwithstanding section 1342 of 

title 31, United States Code, the Commission may accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services as the Commission determines necessary. 

SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION. 

(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, 

hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence 

as the Commission considers appropriate. 

(b) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal agencies. 

(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission may secure directly from any 

Federal agency information necessary to enable the Commission to perform the duties of the Commission. Upon request of the chairperson of the Commission, the 

head of that Federal agency shall furnish that information to the Commission. 

(d) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, DEVISES.—The Commission may solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of money, services, or property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Commission. 

(e) AVAILABLE SPACE.—Upon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of 

General Services shall make available to the Commission, at a normal rental rate 

for Federal agencies, such assistance and facilities as may be necessary for the Commission to perform the duties of the Commission. 

(f) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Commission may enter into contracts with and 

compensate the Federal Government, State and local governments, private entities, 

or individuals to enable the Commission to perform the duties of the Commission. 

SEC. 7. REPORTS. 

(a) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than January 31 of each year, and annually 

thereafter until the final report is submitted pursuant to subsection (b), the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress a report on— 

(1) the activities of the Commission; and 

(2) the revenue and expenditures of the Commission, including a list of each 

gift, bequest, or devise to the Commission with a value of more than $250, including the identity of the donor of each gift, bequest, or devise. 

(b) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than January 31, 2018, the Commission shall submit a final report to the President and the Congress containing— 

(1) a summary of the activities of the Commission; and 

(2) a final accounting of funds received and expended by the Commission. 

SEC. 8. ANNUAL AUDIT. 

The Inspector General of the Department of the Interior— 

(1) may perform an audit of the Commission; 

(2) shall make the results of any such audit available to the public; and 

(3) shall transmit such results to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 

Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. 

SEC. 9. DEFINITIONS. 

In this Act: 

(1) FEDERAL AGENCY.—The term ‘‘Federal agency’’ has the meaning given the 

term ‘‘agency’’ in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. 

(2) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each of the several States, the District 

of Columbia, each territory or possession of the United States, and each federally recognized Indian tribe. 

SEC. 10. TERMINATION. 

The Commission shall terminate on September 30, 2018, or may terminate at an 

earlier date determined by the Commission after the final report is submitted pursuant to section 7(b). 

SEC. 11. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED. 

No Federal funds are authorized or may be obligated to carry out this Act. 

COMMITTEE STATEMENT AND VIEWS

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

The Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission 

Act creates a federal commission to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Virgin Islands becoming an unincorporated territory of the United States. 


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BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

The transfer of the Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United 

States in 1917 was a significant historic and cultural event. H.R. 

2615 creates a bipartisan federal commission that will develop, 

plan, and execute formal commemorative activities to honor the 

rich heritage of the U.S. Virgin Islands and celebrate the 100th anniversary of its status as a U.S. territory. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

H.R. 2615, the Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial 

Commission, was introduced on June 2, 2015, by Delegate Stacey 

Plaskett (D–VI) and referred to the Committee on Oversight and 

Government Reform. On March 1, 2016, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform ordered H.R. 2615 favorably reported, as amended. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION

Section 1. Short title 

Designates the short title of the bill as the ‘‘Virgin Islands of the 

United States Centennial Commission Act’’. 

Section 2. Establishment 

Establishes a Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial 

Commission (the Commission). 

Section 3. Duties of the Commission 

Requires the Commission to plan and implement activities to 

commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Virgin Islands of the 

United States (USVI) becoming an unincorporated territory of the 

United States, and provide advice and assistance to federal, state 

and local government agencies, and civic groups to carry out commemorative activities. 

Requires the Commission to submit reports to the President and 

Congress pursuant to section 7. 

Section 4. Membership 

The Commission is composed of eight members including the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs or a designee, 

one member appointed by the Governor of the USVI or a designee, 

two members of the U.S. House of Representatives appointed by 

the Speaker of the House, one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House, two members 

of the U.S. Senate appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate, 

and one member of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader 

of the Senate. 

Requires members to be appointed no later than 90 days after 

the date of the enactment, vacancies to be filled in the manner in 

which the original appointment was made, and that a vacancy 

shall not affect the powers of the Commission. A majority of the 

members shall constitute a quorum to conduct business, and the 

chairperson of the Commission shall be selected by a majority vote 

of the members. 


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Members shall not receive compensation for duties of the Commission, but shall be reimbursed for travel and per diem for duties 

of the Commission. 

Section 5. Director and Staff of Commission 

Requires the Commission to appoint an Executive Director and 

other personnel needed to enable the Commission to perform its 

duties. The personnel may be appointed without regard to the provisions governing appointments in the competitive service, and the 

rate of pay may not exceed level III of the Executive Schedule. The 

Commission may also hire experts and consultants and accept and 

use voluntary and uncompensated services. 

The Secretary of the Interior or the Archivist of the United 

States may detail any personnel to assist the Commission to perform duties. 

Section 6. Powers of the Commission 

Allows the Commission to hold hearings, take testimony, and receive evidence the Commission determines appropriate to carry out 

this Act. The Commission may use the U.S. mail service in the 

same manner as other federal agencies, and at the request of the 

chairperson, may secure official federal agency information to perform the duties of the Commission. 

Permits the Commission to solicit, accept, and use gifts or donations of money, services, or property, both real and personal, to aid 

the work of the Commission. The Commission may enter into contracts with and compensate federal, state, and local governments, 

and private entities. Upon request of the Commission, the Administrator of the Government Services Administration shall make available to the Commission, at the normal rental rate for federal agencies, assistance and facilities that may be needed for the Commission to perform its duties. 

Section 7. Reports 

Requires the Commission to submit an annual report to the 

President and the Congress on the activities, revenue and expenditures of the Commission including a list of each gift with a value 

of more than $250, including the identity of the donor. 

Section 8. Annual audit 

Permits the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior 

to conduct an audit of the Commission. 

Section 9. Definitions 

Defines various terms in the Act including federal agency. 

Section 10. Termination 

Requires the Commission to terminate no later than September 

30, 2018. 

Section 11. No additional funds authorized 

Stipulates that no federal funds are authorized or may be obligated to carry out this Act. 


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EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

During Full Committee consideration of the bill, Delegate Stacey 

Plaskett (D–VI) offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute 

to the bill and the changes the legislation are reflected in the section by section description above. The amendment was adopted by 

unanimous consent. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On March 1, 2016, the Committee met in open session and ordered reported favorably the bill, H.R. 2615, as amended, by unanimous consent, a quorum being present. 

ROLL CALL VOTES

No recorded votes were requested or conducted during the Committee’s consideration of H.R. 2615. 

APPLICATION OF LAW TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section 102(b)(3) of Public Law 104–1 requires a description of 

the application of this bill to the legislative branch where the bill 

relates to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services and accommodations. This bill establishes the Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission. As such this 

bill does not relate to employment or access to public services and 

accommodations. 

STATEMENT OF OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF

THE COMMITTEE

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause (2)(b)(1) 

of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the 

descriptive portions of this report. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee’s performance goal or objective of the bill is to establish the Virgin Islands of the United 

States Centennial Commission. 

DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

No provision of this bill establishes or reauthorizes a program of 

the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal program, a program that was included in any report from the 

Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 

21 of Public Law 111–139, or a program related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. 

DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTED RULE MAKINGS

The Committee estimates that enacting this bill does not direct 

the completion of any specific rule makings within the meaning of 

5 U.S.C. 551. 


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FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT

The Committee finds that the legislation does not establish or 

authorize the establishment of an advisory committee within the 

definition of 5 U.S.C. App., Section 5(b). 

UNFUNDED MANDATE STATEMENT

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded Mandate 

Reform Act, P.L. 104–4) requires a statement as to whether the 

provisions of the reported include unfunded mandates. In compliance with this requirement the Committee has received a letter 

from the Congressional Budget Office included herein. 

EARMARK IDENTIFICATION

This bill does not include any congressional earmarks, limited 

tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9 of rule 

XXI. 

COMMITTEE ESTIMATE

Clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs that would be incurred in carrying out this bill. 

However, clause 3(d)(2)(B) of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has included in its report 

a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

BUDGET AUTHORITY AND CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST

ESTIMATE

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a) of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect to requirements 

of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 

1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate for 

this bill from the Director of Congressional Budget Office: 

H.R. 2615—Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission Act 

H.R. 2615 would establish a commission to plan, develop, and coordinate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Virgin Islands becoming 

an unincorporated territory of the United States. The eight commission members would serve without pay but would be reimbursed for travel expenses. The commission would be authorized to 

hire staff and could use the employees and services of the Department of the Interior and the National Archives on a reimbursable 

basis. Under the bill the commission could spend gifts and contributions to cover its costs, but the use of appropriated funds 

would be prohibited. The commission would terminate by September 30, 2018. 

CBO estimates that implementing the bill would have no significant net effect on the federal budget. The legislation would affect 

direct spending because it would authorize the commission to acVerDate Sep 11 2014 06:36 Apr 14, 2016 Jkt 059006 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR486.XXX HR486

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cept and spend monetary gifts. Therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures 

apply. However, CBO estimates that the net effect on direct spending would be negligible. Enacting H.R. 2615 would not affect revenues. 

CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 2615 would not increase net 

direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 

10-year periods beginning in 2027. 

H.R. 2615 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would 

not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Matthew Pickford. The 

estimate was approved by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Assistant 

Director for Budget Analysis. 

Æ 


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