I 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6421 
To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National 
Women’s History Museum, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 
Mrs. MALONEY (for herself, Ms. BORDALLO, Ms. BROWN of Florida, Mrs. 
CAPPS, Mr. CICILLINE, Ms. CLARKE of New York, Ms. DELAURO, Mrs. 
EMERSON, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. HONDA, Ms. LEE of Cali-
fornia, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. MOORE, Mr. MORAN, Mr. RAN-
GEL, Ms. RICHARDSON, and Ms. SCHAKOWSKY) introduced 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 con-
cerned 
A BILL 
To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation 
of a National Women’s History Museum, 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 Women’s History 
Museum Act of 2012’’. 
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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 Women’s History Museum estab-
lished by section 3(a). 
(2) MUSEUM.—The term ‘‘Museum’’ means the 
National Women’s History Museum. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established the Commis-
sion to Study the Potential Creation of a National Wom-
en’s History Museum. 
(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-
uals, or representatives of institutions or entities, who pos-
sess— 
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(1)(A) a demonstrated commitment to the re-
search, study, or promotion of women’s history, art, 
political or economic status, or culture; and 
(B)(i) expertise in museum administration; 
(ii) expertise in fundraising for nonprofit or cul-
tural institutions; 
(iii) experience in the study and teaching of 
women’s history at the post-secondary level; 
(iv) experience in studying the issue of the rep-
resentation of women in art, life, history, and cul-
ture 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 
later than the date that is 90 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(f) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission–– 
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(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 Women’s History 
Museum in Washington, 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. 
(B) The impact of the Museum on regional 
women history-related museums. 
(C) Potential locations for the Museum in 
Washington, DC, and its environs (including 
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the location located on public land bounded by 
Independence Avenue SW., 14th Street SW., 
15th Street SW., and Jefferson Drive SW., in 
Washington, DC, that is established subject to 
chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code 
(commonly known as the ‘‘Commemorative 
Works Act’’)). 
(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 women 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 and maintenance of the Museum through con-
tributions from the public. 
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(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the fund-
raising plan under paragraph (1), the Commission 
shall consider— 
(A) the role of the National Women’s His-
tory Museum (a nonprofit, educational organi-
zation described in section 501(c)(3) of the In-
ternal Revenue Code of 1986 that was incor-
porated in 1996 in Washington, DC and dedi-
cated for the purpose of establishing a women’s 
history museum) in raising funds for the con-
struction of the Museum; and 
(B) issues relating to funding the oper-
ations and maintenance of the Museum in per-
petuity. 
(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 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. 
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(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 women. 
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. 
(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.— 
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(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. 
(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. 
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