H. R. 3525 
One Hundred Seventeenth Congress 
of the 
United States of America 
AT THE SECOND SESSION 
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, 
the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-two 
An Act 
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 Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Commission To Study the Poten-
tial Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American 
History and Culture Act’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established the Commission to Study 
the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific Amer-
ican History and Culture (hereafter in this Act referred to as 
the ‘‘Commission’’). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall be composed of 8 
members, of whom— 
(1) 2 members shall be appointed by the majority leader 
of the Senate; 
(2) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives; 
(3) 2 members shall be appointed by the minority leader 
of the Senate; and 
(4) 2 members shall be appointed by the minority leader 
of the House of Representatives. 
(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members of the Commission shall be 
appointed to the Commission from among individuals, or represent-
atives of institutions or entities, who possess— 
(1)(A) a demonstrated commitment to the research, study, 
or promotion of Asian Pacific American history, art, political 
or economic status, or culture; and 
(B)(i) expertise in museum administration; 
(ii) expertise in fundraising for nonprofit or cultural institu-
tions; 
(iii) experience in the study and teaching of Asian Pacific 
American history; 
(iv) experience in studying the issue of the representation 
of Asian Pacific Americans 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 construction of 
museum facilities.
H. R. 3525—2 
(d) DEADLINE FOR INITIAL APPOINTMENT.—The initial members 
of the Commission shall be appointed not later than the date 
that is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(e) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission— 
(1) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and 
(2) shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
appointment was made. 
(f) CHAIRPERSON.—The Commission shall, by majority vote of 
all of the members, select 1 member of the Commission to serve 
as the Chairperson of the Commission. 
(g) PROHIBITION.—No employee of the Federal Government 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 containing the rec-
ommendations of the Commission with respect to a plan of 
action regarding the feasibility of establishing and maintaining 
a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and 
Culture in Washington, DC, and its environs (hereafter 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 fol-
lowing issues: 
(A) The availability and cost of collections to be 
acquired and housed in the Museum. 
(B) The impact of the Museum on existing Asian Pacific 
American history-related museums. 
(C) In consultation with the Smithsonian Institution, 
develop criteria for evaluating possible locations for the 
Museum in Washington, DC, and its environs. 
(D) The feasibility of the Museum becoming part of 
the Smithsonian Institution, taking into account the 
Museum’s potential impact 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 operate. 
(F) Best practices for engaging Asian Pacific 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 develop a fund-
raising plan that will address the ability to support the 
establishment, operation, and maintenance of the Museum 
through contributions from the public. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the fundraising plan 
under paragraph (1), the Commission shall consider issues 
relating to funding the operations and maintenance of the 
Museum in perpetuity without reliance on appropriations of 
Federal funds.
H. R. 3525—3 
(3) INDEPENDENT REVIEW.—The Commission shall obtain 
an independent review of the viability of the plan developed 
under paragraph (1) and such review shall include an analysis 
as to whether the plan is able to achieve the level of resources 
necessary to fund the construction of the Museum and the 
operations and maintenance of the Museum in perpetuity with-
out reliance on appropriations of Federal funds. 
(4) SUBMISSION.—The Commission shall submit the plan 
developed under paragraph (1) and the review conducted under 
paragraph (3) to the Committees on House Administration, 
Natural Resources, and Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committees on Rules and Administration, 
Energy and Natural Resources, and Appropriations of the 
Senate. 
(c) LEGISLATION TO CARRY OUT PLAN OF ACTION.—Based on 
the recommendations contained in the report submitted under para-
graphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), the Commission shall submit 
for consideration to the Committees on House Administration, Nat-
ural Resources, and Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
and the Committees on Rules and Administration, Energy and 
Natural Resources, and Appropriations of the Senate recommenda-
tions for a legislative plan of action on the feasibility of establishing 
and constructing 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 2, the Commission 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. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 
(a) COMPENSATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A member of the Commission— 
(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. 
(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 facilitating the work of the Commission. 
(4) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The Commission 
shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(5 U.S.C. App.). 
(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 respon-
sible for acceptance of contributions for, and payment of the 
expenses of, the Commission.