I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4308 
To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National 
Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 18, 2015 
Ms. MENG (for herself, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. HONDA, 
Ms. JUDY CHU of California, and Mr. TED LIEU of California) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural 
Resources, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 
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 
committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation 
of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American 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 ‘‘Commission to Study 
the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pa-
cific American History and Culture Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Commission to Study the Potential Cre-
ation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific Amer-
ican History and Culture established by section 3(a). 
(2) MUSEUM.—The term ‘‘Museum’’ means the 
National Museum of Asian Pacific American History 
and Culture. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established the Commis-
sion to Study the Potential Creation of a National Mu-
seum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall be com-
posed of 8 members, of whom— 
(1) 2 members shall be appointed by the major-
ity leader of the Senate; 
(2) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speak-
er of the House of Representatives; 
(3) 2 members shall be appointed by the minor-
ity leader of the Senate; and 
(4) 2 members shall be appointed by the minor-
ity leader of the House of Representatives. 
(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members of the Commission 
shall be appointed to the Commission from among individ-
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uals, or representatives of institutions or entities, who pos-
sess— 
(1)(A) a demonstrated commitment to the re-
search, study, or promotion of Asian Pacific Amer-
ican history, art, political or economic status, or cul-
ture; and 
(B)(i) expertise in museum administration; 
(ii) expertise in fundraising for non-
profit or cultural institutions; 
(iii) experience in the study and 
teaching of Asian Pacific American history; 
(iv) experience in studying the issue of 
the representation of Asian Pacific Ameri-
cans in art, life, history, and culture at the 
Smithsonian Institution; or 
(v) extensive experience in public or 
elected service; 
(2) experience in the administration of, or the 
planning for, the establishment of, museums; or 
(3) experience in the planning, design, or con-
struction of museum facilities. 
(d) PROHIBITION.—No employee of the Federal Gov-
ernment may serve as a member of the Commission. 
(e) DEADLINE
FOR INITIAL APPOINTMENT.—The 
initial members of the Commission shall be appointed not 
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later than the date that is 90 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(f) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission— 
(1) shall not affect the powers of the Commis-
sion; and 
(2) shall be filled in the same manner as the 
original appointment was made. 
(g) CHAIRPERSON.—The Commission shall, by ma-
jority vote of all of the members, select 1 member of the 
Commission to serve as the Chairperson of the Commis-
sion. 
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) REPORTS.— 
(1) PLAN OF ACTION.—The Commission shall 
submit to the President and Congress a report con-
taining the recommendations of the Commission 
with respect to a plan of action for the establishment 
and maintenance of a National Museum of Asian 
Pacific American History and Culture in Wash-
ington, DC. 
(2) REPORT ON ISSUES.—The Commission shall 
submit to the President and Congress a report that 
addresses the following issues: 
(A) The availability and cost of collections 
to be acquired and housed in the Museum. 
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(B) The impact of the Museum on regional 
Asian Pacific American history-related muse-
ums. 
(C) Potential locations for the Museum in 
Washington, DC, and its environs. 
(D) Whether the Museum should be part 
of the Smithsonian Institution. 
(E) The governance and organizational 
structure from which the Museum should oper-
ate. 
(F) Best practices for engaging Asian Pa-
cific Americans in the development and design 
of the Museum. 
(G) The cost of constructing, operating, 
and maintaining the Museum. 
(3) DEADLINE.—The reports required under 
paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be submitted not later 
than the date that is 18 months after the date of 
the first meeting of the Commission. 
(b) FUNDRAISING PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall de-
velop a fundraising plan to support the establish-
ment, operation, and maintenance of the Museum 
through contributions from the public. 
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report submitted under paragraphs (1) and (2) of sub-
section (a), the Commission shall submit for consideration 
to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
House Administration, Natural Resources, and Appropria-
tions of the House of Representatives and the Committees 
on Rules and Administration, Energy and Natural Re-
sources, and Appropriations of the Senate recommenda-
tions for a legislative plan of action to establish and con-
struct the Museum. 
(d) NATIONAL CONFERENCE.—Not later than 18 
months after the date on which the initial members of the 
Commission are appointed under section 3, the Commis-
sion may, in carrying out the duties of the Commission 
under this section, convene a national conference relating 
to the Museum, to be comprised of individuals committed 
to the advancement of the life, art, history, and culture 
of Asian Pacific Americans. 
SEC. 5. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COMMISSION. 
(a) DIRECTOR AND STAFF.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may em-
ploy and compensate an executive director and any 
other additional personnel that are necessary to en-
able the Commission to perform the duties of the 
Commission. 
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(2) RATES OF PAY.—Rates of pay for persons 
employed under paragraph (1) shall be consistent 
with the rates of pay allowed for employees of a tem-
porary organization under section 3161 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(b) NOT FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT.—Any individual 
employed under this Act shall not be considered a Federal 
employee for the purpose of any law governing Federal 
employment. 
(c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), on 
request of the Commission, the head of a Federal 
agency may provide technical assistance to the Com-
mission. 
(2) PROHIBITION.—No Federal employees may 
be detailed to the Commission. 
SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 
(a) COMPENSATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A member of the Commis-
sion— 
(A) shall not be considered to be a Federal 
employee for any purpose by reason of service 
on the Commission; and 
(B) shall serve without pay. 
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(2) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—A member of the 
Commission shall be allowed a per diem allowance 
for travel expenses, at rates consistent with those 
authorized under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 
5, United States Code. 
(b) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, DEVISES.—The Commission 
may solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or 
devises of money, services, or real or personal property for 
the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Com-
mission. 
(c) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The 
Commission shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). 
SEC. 7. TERMINATION. 
The Commission shall terminate on the date that is 
30 days after the date on which the final versions of the 
reports required under section 4 are submitted. 
SEC. 8. FUNDING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall be solely 
responsible for acceptance of contributions for, and pay-
ment of the expenses of, the Commission. 
(b) PROHIBITION.—No Federal funds may be obli-
gated to carry out this Act. 
Æ 
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