I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 6101 
To establish within the Smithsonian Institution the National Museum of 
American LGBTQI+ History and Culture, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 26, 2023 
Mr. POCAN (for himself, Mr. TAKANO, Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas, Mr. ROBERT 
GARCIA of California, Ms. BALINT, Mr. TORRES of New York, Mr. 
PAPPAS, Ms. CRAIG, and Mr. SORENSEN) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in 
addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a 
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish within the Smithsonian Institution the National 
Museum of American LGBTQI+ History and Culture, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Museum of 
American LGBTQI+ History and Culture Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:34 Oct 28, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6101.IH
H6101
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) BOARD OF REGENTS.—The term ‘‘Board of 
Regents’’ means the Board of Regents of the Smith-
sonian Institution. 
(2) COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘Council’’ means the 
National Museum of American LGBTQI+ History 
and Culture Council established by section 4. 
(3) MUSEUM.—The term ‘‘Museum’’ means the 
National Museum of American LGBTQI+ History 
and Culture established by section 3. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF MUSEUM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 
the Smithsonian Institution a museum to be known as the 
‘‘National Museum of American LGBTQI+ History and 
Culture’’. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Museum shall be 
to provide for— 
(1) the collection, study, and establishment of 
programs relating to American LGBTQI+ life, art, 
history, and culture; 
(2) the creation and maintenance of permanent 
and temporary exhibits documenting the history of 
American LGBTQI+ life, art, history, and culture; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:34 Oct 28, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6101.IH
H6101
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(3) the collection and study of artifacts and 
documents relating to American LGBTQI+ life, art, 
history, and culture; and 
(4) collaboration between the Museum and 
other museums, LGBTQI+-serving institutions, his-
torical societies, educational institutions, and other 
organizations that promote the study or appreciation 
of American LGBTQI+ life, art, history, or culture, 
including collaboration concerning— 
(A) development of cooperative programs 
and exhibitions; 
(B) identification, management, and care 
of collections; and 
(C) training of museum professionals. 
SEC. 4. COUNCIL. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 
the Smithsonian Institution a council to be known as the 
‘‘National Museum of American LGBTQI+ History and 
Culture Council’’. 
(b) DUTIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Council shall— 
(A) make recommendations to the Board 
of Regents concerning the planning, design, and 
construction of the Museum; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:34 Oct 28, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6101.IH
H6101
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(B) advise and assist the Board of Regents 
on all matters relating to the administration, 
operation, maintenance, and preservation of the 
Museum; 
(C) recommend annual operating budgets 
for the Museum to the Board of Regents; 
(D) report annually to the Board of Re-
gents on the acquisition, disposition, and dis-
play of objects relating to American LBGTQ+ 
life, art, history, and culture; and 
(E) adopt bylaws for the operation of the 
Council. 
(2) PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Coun-
cil, subject to the general policies of the Board of 
Regents, shall have sole authority to— 
(A) purchase, accept, borrow, and other-
wise acquire artifacts for addition to the collec-
tions of the Museum; 
(B) loan, exchange, sell, and otherwise dis-
pose of any part of the collections of the Mu-
seum, but only if the funds generated by that 
disposition are used for additions to the collec-
tions of the Museum; or 
(C) specify criteria with respect to the use 
of the collections and resources of the Museum, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:34 Oct 28, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6101.IH
H6101
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
including policies on programming, education, 
exhibitions, and research. 
(3) OTHER
RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Council, 
subject to the general policies of the Board of Re-
gents, shall have authority— 
(A) to provide for preservation, restoration, 
and maintenance of the collections of the Mu-
seum; and 
(B) to solicit, accept, use, and dispose of 
gifts, bequests, and devises of personal property 
for the purpose of aiding and facilitating the 
work of the Museum. 
(c) COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Council shall be com-
posed of 19 voting members as provided under para-
graph (2). 
(2) VOTING MEMBERS.—The Council shall in-
clude the following voting members: 
(A) The Secretary of the Smithsonian In-
stitution. 
(B) One member of the Board of Regents, 
appointed by the Board of Regents. 
(C) Seventeen individuals appointed by the 
Board of Regents— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:34 Oct 28, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6101.IH
H6101
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(i) taking into consideration individ-
uals recommended by organizations and 
entities that are committed to the advance-
ment 
of 
knowledge 
of 
American 
LGBTQI+ life, art, history, and culture; 
and 
(ii) taking into consideration individ-
uals recommended by the members of the 
Council. 
(3) INITIAL
APPOINTMENTS.—The Board of 
Regents shall make initial appointments to the 
Council under paragraph (2) not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(d) TERMS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in this 
subsection, each appointed member of the Council 
shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. 
(2) INITIAL
APPOINTEES.—As designated by 
the Board of Regents at the time of appointment, of 
the voting members first appointed under subsection 
(c)(2)(C)— 
(A) six members shall be appointed for a 
term of 1 year; 
(B) six members shall be appointed for a 
term of 2 years; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:34 Oct 28, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6101.IH
H6101
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(C) five members shall be appointed for a 
term of 3 years. 
(3) REAPPOINTMENT.—A member of the Coun-
cil may be reappointed, except that no individual 
may serve on the Council for a total of more than 
2 terms. For purposes of this paragraph, the num-
ber of terms an individual serves on the Council 
shall not include any portion of a term for which an 
individual is appointed to fill a vacancy under para-
graph (4)(B). 
(4) VACANCIES.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—A vacancy on the 
Council— 
(i) shall not affect the powers of the 
Council; and 
(ii) shall be filled in the same manner 
as the original appointment was made. 
(B) TERM.—Any member of the Council 
appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the 
expiration of the term for which the member’s 
predecessor was appointed shall be appointed 
for the remainder of that term. 
(e) COMPENSATION.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:34 Oct 28, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6101.IH
H6101
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), a member of the Council shall serve with-
out pay. 
(2) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—A member of the 
Council shall be allowed travel expenses, including 
per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized 
for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of 
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while 
away from the home or regular place of business of 
the member in the performance of the duties of the 
Council. 
(f) CHAIRPERSON.—By a majority vote of its voting 
members, the Council shall elect a chairperson from its 
members. 
(g) MEETINGS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Council shall meet at 
the call of the chairperson or on the written request 
of a majority of the voting members of the Council, 
but not fewer than twice each year. 
(2) INITIAL MEETINGS.—During the 1-year pe-
riod beginning on the date of the first meeting of the 
Council, the Council shall meet not fewer than 4 
times for the purpose of carrying out the duties of 
the Council under this Act. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:34 Oct 28, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6101.IH
H6101
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(h) QUORUM.—A majority of the voting members of 
the Council holding office shall constitute a quorum for 
the purpose of conducting business, but a lesser number 
4 may receive information on behalf of the Council. 
SEC. 5. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF THE MUSEUM. 
(a) DIRECTOR.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Museum shall have a 
Director who shall be appointed by the Secretary, 
taking into consideration individuals recommended 
by the Council. 
(2) DUTIES.—The Director shall manage the 
Museum subject to the policies of the Board of Re-
gents. 
(b) STAFF.—The Secretary may appoint two addi-
tional employees to serve under the Director, except that 
such additional employees may be appointed without re-
gard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, gov-
erning appointments in the competitive service. 
(c) PAY.—The employees appointed by the Secretary 
under subsection (b) may be paid without regard to the 
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 
of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification 
of positions and General Schedule pay rates. 
SEC. 6. EDUCATIONAL AND LIAISON PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:34 Oct 28, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6101.IH
H6101
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED.—The Director of 
the Museum may carry out educational and liaison 
programs in support of the goals of the Museum. 
(2) SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED.—In car-
rying out this section, the Director shall— 
(A) carry out educational programs relat-
ing to American LGBTQI+ life, art, history, 
and culture, including— 
(i) programs using digital, electronic, 
and interactive technologies; and 
(ii) programs carried out in collabora-
tion with elementary schools, secondary 
schools, and postsecondary schools; and 
(B) consult with the Director of the Insti-
tute of Museum and Library Services con-
cerning the grant and scholarship programs 
carried out under subsection (b). 
(b) GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS.—In con-
sultation with the Council and the Director of the Mu-
seum, the Director of the Institute of Museum and Li-
brary Services shall establish— 
(1) a grant program with the purpose of im-
proving operations, care of collections, and develop-
ment of professional management at American 
LGBTQI+ museums; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:34 Oct 28, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6101.IH
H6101
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(2) a grant program with the purpose of pro-
viding internship and fellowship opportunities at 
American LGBTQI+ museums; and 
(3) a scholarship program with the purpose of 
assisting individuals who are pursuing careers or 
carrying out studies in the arts, humanities, and 
sciences in the study of American LGBTQI+ life, 
art, history, and culture. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:34 Oct 28, 2023
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H6101.IH
H6101
ssavage on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS