109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 2134
AN ACT 
To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation 
of a National Museum of American Latino Heritage to 
develop a plan of action for the establishment and main-
tenance of a National Museum of American Latino Her-
itage in Washington, DC, 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 ‘‘Commission to Study 
the Potential Creation of a National Museum of American 
Latino Heritage Act of 2006’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established the Commis-
sion to Study the Potential Creation of a National Mu-
seum of American Latino Heritage (hereafter in this Act 
referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall consist of 
23 members appointed not later than 6 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act as follows: 
(1) The President shall appoint 7 voting mem-
bers. 
(2) The Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives, the minority leader of the House of Represent-
atives, the majority leader of the Senate, and the mi-
nority leader of the Senate shall each appoint 3 vot-
ing members. 
(3) In addition to the members appointed under 
paragraph (2), the Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives, the minority leader of the House of 
Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, 
and the minority leader of the Senate shall each ap-
point 1 nonvoting member.
(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members of the Commission 
shall be chosen from among individuals, or representatives 
of institutions or entities, who possess either—
(1) a demonstrated commitment to the re-
search, study, or promotion of American Latino life, 
art, history, political or economic status, or culture, 
together with—
(A) expertise in museum administration; 
(B) expertise in fundraising for nonprofit 
or cultural institutions; 
(C) experience in the study and teaching of 
Latino culture and history at the post-sec-
ondary level; 
(D) experience in studying the issue of the 
Smithsonian 
Institution’s 
representation 
of 
American Latino art, life, history, and culture; 
or 
(E) extensive experience in public or elect-
ed service; or 
(2) experience in the administration of, or the 
planning for the establishment of, museums devoted 
to the study and promotion of the role of ethnic, ra-
cial, or cultural groups in American history.
SEC. 3. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) PLAN
OF ACTION
FOR ESTABLISHMENT
AND 
MAINTENANCE OF MUSEUM.—The Commission shall sub-
mit a report to the President and the Congress containing 
its recommendations with respect to a plan of action for 
the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum 
of American Latino Heritage in Washington, DC (here-
after in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Museum’’). 
(b) FUNDRAISING PLAN.—The Commission shall de-
velop a fundraising plan for supporting the creation and 
maintenance of the Museum through contributions by the 
American people, and a separate plan on fundraising by 
the American Latino community. 
(c) REPORT ON ISSUES.—The Commission shall ex-
amine (in consultation with the Secretary of the Smithso-
nian Institution), and submit a report to the President 
and the Congress on, the following issues: 
(1) The availability and cost of collections to be 
acquired and housed in the Museum. 
(2) The impact of the Museum on regional 
Hispanic- and Latino-related museums. 
(3) Possible locations for the Museum in Wash-
ington, DC and its environs, to be considered in con-
sultation with the National Capital Planning Com-
mission and the Commission of Fine Arts, the De-
partment of the Interior and Smithsonian Institu-
tion. 
(4) Whether the Museum should be located 
within the Smithsonian Institution. 
(5) The governance and organizational struc-
ture from which the Museum should operate. 
(6) How to engage the American Latino com-
munity in the development and design of the Mu-
seum. 
(7) The cost of constructing, operating, and 
maintaining the Museum. 
(d) LEGISLATION
TO CARRY OUT PLAN
OF AC-
TION.—Based on the recommendations contained in the 
report submitted under subsection (a) and the report sub-
mitted under subsection (c), the Commission shall submit 
for consideration to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Com-
mittee on House Administration of the House of Rep-
resentatives, the Committee on Rules and Administration 
of the Senate, the Committee on Resources of the House 
of Representatives, the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate, and the Committees on Appro-
priations of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
recommendations for a legislative plan of action to create 
and construct the Museum.
(e) NATIONAL CONFERENCE.—In carrying out its 
functions under this section, the Commission may convene 
a national conference on the Museum, comprised of indi-
viduals committed to the advancement of American Latino 
life, art, history, and culture, not later than 18 months 
after the commission members are selected. 
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 
(a) FACILITIES AND SUPPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF 
THE INTERIOR.—The Department of the Interior shall 
provide from funds appropriated for this purpose adminis-
trative services, facilities, and funds necessary for the per-
formance of the Commission’s functions. These funds shall 
be made available prior to any meetings of the Commis-
sion. 
(b) COMPENSATION.—Each member of the Commis-
sion who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Gov-
ernment may receive compensation for each day on which 
the member is engaged in the work of the Commission, 
at a daily rate to be determined by the Secretary of the 
Interior. 
(c) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member shall be enti-
tled to travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of sub-
sistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under 
subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
(d) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The 
Commission is not subject to the provisions of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act. 
SEC. 5. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF REPORTS; TERMI-
NATION. 
(a) DEADLINE.—The Commission shall submit final 
versions of the reports and plans required under section 
3 not later than 24 months after the date of the Commis-
sion’s first meeting. 
(b) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
not later than 30 days after submitting the final versions 
of reports and plans pursuant to subsection (a). 
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated for carrying 
out the activities of the Commission $2,100,000 for the 
first fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment 
of this Act and $1,100,000 for the second fiscal year be-
ginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 27, 
2006. 
Attest:
Clerk.