I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4307 
To establish within the Smithsonian Institution the 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 House 
Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and 
Infrastructure and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently de-
termined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish within the Smithsonian Institution the 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 ‘‘National Museum of 
Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
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(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 Asian Pacific American History 
and Culture Council established by section 4. 
(3) MUSEUM.—The term ‘‘Museum’’ means the 
National Museum of Asian Pacific American 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 Asian Pacific American 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 Asian Pacific American life, 
art, history, and culture; 
(2) the creation and maintenance of permanent 
and temporary exhibits documenting the history of 
Asian Pacific American life, art, history, and cul-
ture; 
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(3) the collection and study of artifacts and 
documents relating to Asian Pacific American life, 
art, history, and culture; and 
(4) collaboration between the Museum and 
other museums, Asian American and Native Amer-
ican Pacific Islander-serving institutions, historical 
societies, educational institutions, and other organi-
zations that promote the study or appreciation of 
Asian Pacific American 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 Asian Pacific American 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; 
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(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 Asian Pacific Amer-
ican 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, 
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(i) taking into consideration individ-
uals recommended by organizations and 
entities that are committed to the advance-
ment of knowledge of Asian Pacific Amer-
ican 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 
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(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.— 
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(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. 
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(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 
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.— 
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(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 Asian Pacific American 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 Asian Pacific 
American museums; 
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(2) a grant program with the purpose of pro-
viding internship and fellowship opportunities at 
Asian Pacific American 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 Asian Pacific American life, 
art, history, and culture. 
SEC. 7. BUILDING FOR THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASIAN 
PACIFIC AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) LOCATION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 12 
months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Board of Regents, in consultation with 
the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of 
Fine Arts, the National Capitol Planning Com-
mission, and other Federal and local agencies, 
shall designate a site for the Museum. 
(B) TRANSFER TO SMITHSONIAN INSTITU-
TION.—If the site designated for the Museum is 
in an area that is under the administrative ju-
risdiction of a Federal agency, as soon as prac-
ticable after the date on which the designation 
is made, the head of the Federal agency shall 
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(V) The Committee on Appro-
priations of the House of Representa-
tives. 
(2) CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING.—The Board 
of Regents, in consultation with the Council, may 
plan, design, and construct a building for the Mu-
seum, which shall be located at the site designated 
by the Board of Regents under this paragraph. 
(3) NONAPPLICABILITY OF PROVISIONS RELAT-
ING
TO
MONUMENTS
AND
COMMEMORATIVE 
WORKS.—Chapter 89 of title 40, United States 
Code, shall not apply with respect to the Museum. 
(b) COST SHARING.—The Board of Regents shall 
pay— 
(1) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this 
section from Federal funds; and 
(2) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this 
section from non-Federal sources. 
SEC. 8. CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF PRESI-
DENTIAL COMMISSION. 
In carrying out their duties under this Act, the Coun-
cil and the Board of Regents shall take into consideration 
the reports and plans submitted by the National Museum 
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of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Plan for 
Action Presidential Commission. 
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