I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 9987 
To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National 
Museum of Italian American History and Culture, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 11, 2024 
Mr. SUOZZI (for himself, Mr. AMODEI, and Ms. BONAMICI) introduced the fol-
lowing 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 consider-
ation 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 Italian 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 of a National Museum of Italian American 
History and Culture Act’’. 
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(C) the study and teaching of Italian 
American history; 
(D) studying the issue of the representa-
tion of Italian Americans in art, life, history, 
and culture at the Smithsonian Institution; or 
(E) public or elected service that is exten-
sive; 
(3) experience in the administration of, or the 
planning for, the establishment of, museums; or 
(4) experience in the planning, design, or con-
struction of museum facilities. 
(d) DEADLINE
FOR INITIAL APPOINTMENT.—Not 
later than the date that is 90 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the initial members of the Commission 
shall be appointed under subsection (b). 
(e) 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 under subsection (b). 
(f) CHAIRPERSON.—The Commission shall, by major-
ity vote of all of the members, select 1 member of the 
Commission to serve as the Chairperson of the Commis-
sion. 
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(g) PROHIBITION.—No employee of the Federal Gov-
ernment may serve as a member of the Commission. 
SEC. 3. 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 regarding the feasi-
bility of establishing and maintaining a National 
Museum of Italian American History and Culture in 
Washington, DC, and the environs of such museum 
(in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Museum’’). 
(2) REPORT ON ISSUES.—The Commission shall 
submit to the President and Congress a report that 
addresses the following: 
(A) The availability and cost of collections 
to be acquired and housed in the Museum. 
(B) The impact of the Museum on existing 
Italian American history-related museums. 
(C) The development of criteria, in con-
sultation with the Smithsonian Institution, for 
evaluating possible locations for the Museum in 
Washington, DC, and the environs of such Mu-
seum. 
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(D) The feasibility of the Museum becom-
ing part of the Smithsonian Institution, taking 
into account the potential impact of the Mu-
seum on the Smithsonian’s existing facilities 
maintenance backlog, collections storage needs, 
and identified construction or renovation costs 
for new or existing museums. 
(E) The governance and organizational 
structure from which the Museum should oper-
ate. 
(F) Best practices for engaging Italian 
Americans in the development and design of the 
Museum. 
(G) The cost of constructing, operating, 
and maintaining the Museum. 
(3) DEADLINE.—Not later than the date that is 
18 months after the date of the first meeting of the 
Commission, the Commission shall submit the re-
ports required under paragraphs (1) and (2). 
(b) FUNDRAISING PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall de-
velop a fundraising plan that shall address the abil-
ity to support the establishment, operation, and 
maintenance of the Museum through contributions 
from the public. 
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(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the fund-
raising plan under paragraph (1), the Commission 
shall consider issues relating to funding the oper-
ations and maintenance of the Museum in perpetuity 
without reliance on appropriations of Federal funds. 
(3) INDEPENDENT REVIEW.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
obtain an independent review of the viability of 
the plan developed under paragraph (1). 
(B) CONTENTS.—The independent review 
under subparagraph (A) shall include an anal-
ysis as to whether the plan is able to achieve 
the level of resources necessary to fund the con-
struction of the Museum and the operations 
and maintenance of the Museum in perpetuity 
without reliance on appropriations of Federal 
funds. 
(4) SUBMISSION.—The Commission shall sub-
mit to the Committees on House Administration, 
Natural Resources, and Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives and the Committees on Rules and 
Administration, Energy and Natural Resources, and 
Appropriations of the Senate the plan developed 
under paragraph (1) and the review conducted under 
paragraph (3). 
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(c) LEGISLATION TO CARRY OUT PLAN
OF AC-
TION.—Based on the recommendations contained in the 
report submitted under paragraphs (1) and (2) of sub-
section (a), the Commission shall submit for consideration 
to the Committees on House Administration, Natural Re-
sources, and Appropriations of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committees on Rules and Administration, 
Energy and Natural Resources, and Appropriations of the 
Senate recommendations for a legislative plan of action 
on the feasibility of establishing and constructing the Mu-
seum. 
(d) NATIONAL CONFERENCE.—Not later than 18 
months after the date on which the initial members of the 
Commission are appointed under section 2(b), the Com-
mission 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 Italian Americans. 
SEC. 4. 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 other than for pur-
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poses of chapter 81 of title 5, United States 
Code (relating to compensation for injury) and 
sections 2671 through 2680 of title 28, United 
States Code (relating to tort claims), except 
that each such individual shall be— 
(i) required to file an annual financial 
disclosure under chapter 131 of title 5, 
United States Code; and 
(ii) considered to be a Federal em-
ployee for purposes of sections 201 and 
208 of title 18, United States Code; and 
(B) shall serve without pay. 
(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. 
(3) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND
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 fa-
cilitating the work of the Commission. 
(4) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The 
Commission shall not be subject to chapter 10 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
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(b) 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 3 are 
submitted. 
(c) FUNDING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 
solely responsible for acceptance of contributions for, 
and payment of the expenses of, the Commission. 
(2) PROHIBITION.—No Federal funds may be 
obligated to carry out this Act. 
(d) DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COMMISSION.— 
(1) DIRECTOR AND STAFF.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may 
employ and compensate an executive director 
and any other additional personnel that are 
necessary to enable the Commission to perform 
the duties of the Commission. 
(B) RATES OF PAY.—Rates of pay for per-
sons employed under subparagraph (A) shall be 
consistent with the rates of pay allowed for em-
ployees of a temporary organization under sec-
tion 3161 of title 5, United States Code. 
(2) NOT
FEDERAL
EMPLOYEES.—Any indi-
vidual employed under this subsection shall not be 
considered a Federal employee for any purpose other 
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than for purposes of chapter 81 of title 5, United 
States Code (relating to compensation for injury) 
and sections 2671 through 2680 of title 28, United 
States Code (relating to tort claims), except that 
each such individual shall be— 
(A) required to file an annual financial dis-
closure under chapter 131 of title 5, United 
States Code; and 
(B) considered to be a Federal employee 
for purposes of sections 201 and 208 of title 
18, United States Code. 
(3) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), on request of the Commission, the 
head of a Federal agency may provide technical 
assistance to the Commission. 
(B) PROHIBITION.—No Federal employees 
may be detailed to the Commission. 
Æ 
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