SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Route 66 Centennial 
Commission Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) Route 66 was the Nation’s first all-paved 
highway under the U.S. 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 to 
hundreds of thousands of people seeking escape from 
the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, serving as a ‘‘road to 
opportunity’’ in the West and providing employment 
during the Great Depression, as thousands were put 
to work on road crews to pave the road. 
(3) Route 66 was invaluable in transporting 
troops, equipment, and supplies across the country 
to the West, where the government established mul-
tiple industries and armed force bases during World 
War II. Upon 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 Nation’s positive 
outlook 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. During this period, the tourist industry 
along Route 66 grew tremendously, giving rise to 
countless tourist courts, motels, service stations, ga-
rages, and diners. 
(5) Since June 27, 1985, when Route 66 was 
decommissioned as a Federal highway, the popu-
larity and mythical stature of Route 66 has grown 
domestically and internationally, as the road has ex-
perienced a rebirth of interest and support. 
(6) The year 2026 will be the centennial anni-
versary of Route 66, and a commission should be es-
tablished to study and recommend to Congress ac-
tivities that are fitting and proper to celebrate that 
anniversary in a manner that appropriately honors 
America’s Mother Road. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established a commission to be known as the 
Route 66 Centennial Commission (referred to in this Act 
as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
SEC. 4. DUTIES. 
The Commission shall have the following duties: 
(1) To study activities that may be carried out 
by the Federal Government to determine whether 
the activities are fitting and proper to honor Route 
66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary, in-
cluding any of the activities described under section 
8(b)(2)(B). 
(2) To recommend to Congress the activities 
the Commission considers most fitting and proper to 
honor Route 66 on such occasion, to be carried out 
by the Department of Transportation and any other 
entity or entities within the Federal Government 
that the Commission considers most appropriate to 
carry out such activities. 
(3) To plan and host, in cooperation with such 
partners, a conference on the U.S. Numbered High-
way System, and assist in the activities of such a 
conference. 
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission 
shall be composed of 19 members appointed as follows: 
(1) Three members, each of whom shall be a 
qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap-
pointed by the President. 
(2) Two members, each of whom shall be a 
qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap-
pointed by the President on the recommendation of 
the Secretary of Transportation. 
(3) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Illinois. 
(4) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Missouri. 
(5) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Kansas. 
(6) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Oklahoma. 
(7) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Texas. 
(8) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
New Mexico. 
(9) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Arizona. 
(10) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
California. 
(11) Three members, each of whom shall be a 
qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap-
pointed by the President on the recommendation of 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in con-
sultation with the minority leader of the House of 
Representatives. 
(12) Three members, each of whom shall be a 
qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap-
pointed by the President on the recommendation of 
the majority leader of the Senate, in consultation 
with the minority leader of the Senate. 
(b) QUALIFIED CITIZEN.—A qualified citizen de-
scribed in this subsection is a private citizen of the United 
States with— 
(1) a demonstrated dedication to educating oth-
ers about the importance of historical figures and 
events; and 
(2) substantial knowledge and appreciation of 
Route 66.
SEC. 9. PLAN ON PRESERVATION NEEDS OF ROUTE 66. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation, 
in consultation with the Governors referred to in section 
5(a), shall prepare a plan on the preservation needs of 
Route 66. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives, the Committee 
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and the 
President a report containing the plan prepared under 
subsection (a). 
SEC. 10. TERMINATION. 
The Commission shall terminate not later than June 
30, 2027. 
Passed the House of Representatives February 6, 
2019. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 66 
AN ACT 
To establish the Route 66 Centennial Commission, 
to direct the Secretary of Transportation to pre-
pare a plan on the preservation needs of Route 
66, and for other purposes.