Smithsonian Modernization Act of 2015

To revise the composition of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution so that all members are individuals appointed by the President from a list of nominees submitted by the leadership of the Congress, and for other purposes. 1. Short Title This Act may be cited as the Smithsonian Modernization Act of 2015 2. Appointment of Members of Smithsonian Board of Regents (a) Number of Members; Appointment of All Members From List of Nominees (1) In general Section 5580(a) of the Revised Statutes of the United States ( 20 U.S.C. 42(a) to be composed of to be composed of 21 members appointed by the President from among the list of nominees submitted under subsection (b), of whom 2 shall be residents of the District of Columbia. (2) List of Nominees Section 5580 of the Revised Statutes of the United States ( 20 U.S.C. 42(a) (A) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (B) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection: (b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the Senate shall each submit to the President a list of 12 nominees for appointment as members of the Board of Regents. . (3) Revision of quorum Section 5582 of the Revised Statutes of the United States ( 20 U.S.C. 44 eight shall constitute a quorum 17 shall constitute a quorum (4) No effect on current citizen Regents Nothing in the amendments made by this subsection may be construed to affect the authority of any individual who serves as a Regent of the Smithsonian Institution as of the date of the enactment of this Act pursuant to a joint resolution of the Congress to continue to serve as a Regent after that date. (b) Uniform Term of Service Section 5581 of the Revised Statutes of the United States ( 20 U.S.C. 43 5581. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), each Regent of the Smithsonian Institution shall be appointed for a term of 6 years, and may be reappointed for additional terms. (b) Of the Regents who are appointed after the date of the enactment of the Smithsonian Modernization Act of 2015 who were not serving as Regents prior to that date— (1) 4 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years (as designated in the joint resolution under which they are appointed) and may be reappointed for additional terms of 6 years; and (2) 4 shall be appointed for a term of 4 years (as designated in the joint resolution under which they are appointed) and may be reappointed for additional terms of 6 years. (c) Any Regent appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the Regent’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A Regent may serve after the expiration of that Regent’s term until a successor has taken office. .

Summary: Smithsonian Modernization Act of 2015 Revises requirements for the composition of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Requires the Board to be composed of 21 members appointed by the President from among lists of nominees submitted by the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate. Increases from 8 to 17 the number of Regents constituting a quorum to do business. Revises requirements for the terms of office for Regents. Permits Regents to be reappointed.