Route 66 Centennial Commission Act

To establish the Route 66 Centennial Commission, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) Route 66 was the first all-paved highway in the United States under the United States 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 for hundreds of thousands of people seeking escape from the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, serving as a road to opportunity (3) Route 66 was invaluable in transporting troops, equipment, and supplies across the country to the West, where the Federal Government established multiple industries and military bases during World War II, and on 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 positive outlook of the United States 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; (5) during the 1950s and 1960s, the tourist industry along Route 66 grew tremendously, giving rise to countless tourist courts, motels, service stations, garages, and diners; (6) 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; and (7) the year 2026 will be the centennial anniversary of Route 66, and a commission should be established to study and recommend in a report to Congress activities that are fitting and proper to celebrate that anniversary in a manner that appropriately honors the Mother Road of the United States. 3. Establishment There is established a commission to be known as the Route 66 Centennial Commission Commission 4. Duties The Commission shall— (1) plan, develop a list of, and carry out such activities as the Commission determines to be appropriate to honor Route 66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary; (2) provide advice and assistance to Federal, State, and local governmental agencies and civic groups in carrying out activities to honor Route 66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary; (3) recommend activities that may be carried out by the Federal Government to honor Route 66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary; and (4) submit to Congress reports pursuant to section 8. 5. Membership (a) Number and appointment The Commission shall be composed of 15 members appointed as follows: (1) 3 members, each of whom shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Secretary of Transportation. (2) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Governor of Illinois. (3) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Governor of Missouri. (4) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Governor of Kansas. (5) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Governor of Oklahoma. (6) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Governor of Texas. (7) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Governor of New Mexico. (8) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Governor of Arizona. (9) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Governor of California. (10) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (11) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. (12) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate. (13) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described in subsection (b), appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate. (b) Eligible individual An eligible individual referred to in subsection (a) is an individual 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 enactment of this Act. (d) Terms Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (e) 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. (f) Basic pay Members shall serve on the Commission without pay. (g) 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. (h) Quorum 7 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings. (i) Chair and Vice Chair The Commission shall select a Chair and Vice Chair from among the members of the Commission. (j) Meetings (1) In general The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair. (2) Location (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), each meeting and hearing of the Commission shall be held in a location along the Route 66 corridor. (B) Exception The Commission may hold a meeting or hearing in a location that is not along the Route 66 corridor if, in the determination of the Commission, holding the meeting or hearing in that location is necessary to accomplish the duties of the Commission. 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 shall— (A) be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service; and (B) be paid at a rate not to exceed the rate payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Staff The staff of the Commission shall— (A) be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service; and (B) be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 7. Powers (a) Hearings and sessions The Commission may 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 to carry out this Act. (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 under this Act. (c) Obtaining official data (1) In general The Commission may secure directly from any Federal department or agency information necessary to enable the Commission to carry out this Act. (2) Requirement Subject to paragraph (3), on request of the Chair of the Commission, the head of a Federal department or agency shall provide to the Commission the requested information. (3) Exception Nothing in this subsection shall require any Federal department or agency to produce records that are subject to a common law evidentiary privilege. (d) Mails The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal departments and agencies. (e) Administrative support services (1) In general On 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 this Act. (2) Detailees (A) In general At the request of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency or department may detail to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, any employee of the agency or department. (B) Civil service status The detail of an employee under subparagraph (A) shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege. (f) Gifts The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts, grants, bequests, or devises of money, services, or property from any public or private source for the purpose of covering the costs incurred by the Commission in carrying out this Act. 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 that includes 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 by not later than 90 days before the termination of the Commission under section 9. 9. Termination The Commission shall terminate not later than June 30, 2027. 10. Clarification regarding funding (a) In general No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act. (b) Use of existing funds (1) In general The requirements of this Act may be carried out using amounts made available to the Secretary of Transportation and not otherwise obligated, from accounts identified pursuant to paragraph (2). (2) Identification of existing funds The Secretary of Transportation shall identify any accounts of the Secretary from which the Secretary could use funds available in that account and not otherwise obligated to carry out this Act.

Summary: Route 66 Centennial Commission Act This bill establishes the Route 66 Centennial Commission to honor U.S. Route 66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary. The bill sets forth the duties of the commission, its membership, powers, and reporting requirements. The commission shall terminate on December 31, 2026.