of 1812 for the educational benefit of the citizens 
of the United States; 
(H) ensure that War of 1812 commemora-
tions provide a lasting legacy and long-term 
public benefit leading to protection of the nat-
ural and cultural resources associated with the 
War of 1812; and 
(I) examine and review essential facilities 
and infrastructure at War of 1812 sites and 
identify possible improvements that could be 
made to enhance and maximize visitor experi-
ence at the sites. 
(2) STRATEGIC
PLAN; ANNUAL
PERFORMANCE 
PLANS.—The Commission shall prepare a strategic 
plan and annual performance plans for any activity 
carried out by the Commission under this section. 
(3) REPORTS.— 
(A) ANNUAL
REPORT.—The Commission 
shall submit to Congress an annual report that 
contains a list of each gift, bequest, or devise to 
the Commission with a value of more than $250, 
together with the identity of the donor of each 
gift, bequest, or devise. 
(B) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than Sep-
tember 30, 2015, the Commission shall submit to 
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the Secretary and Congress a final report that 
includes— 
(i) a summary of the activities of the 
Commission; 
(ii) a final accounting of any funds re-
ceived or expended by the Commission; and 
(iii) the final disposition of any his-
torically significant items acquired by the 
Commission and other properties not pre-
viously reported. 
(f) POWERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may— 
(A) solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts 
or donations of money, services, and real and 
personal property related to the commemoration 
in accordance with Department of the Interior 
and National Park Service written standards for 
accepting gifts from outside sources; 
(B) appoint such advisory committees as 
the Commission determines to be necessary to 
carry out this section; 
(C) authorize any member or employee of 
the Commission to take any action the Commis-
sion is authorized to take under this section; 
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(D) use the United States mails in the same 
manner and under the same conditions as other 
agencies of the Federal Government; and 
(E) make grants to communities, nonprofit, 
commemorative commissions or organizations, 
and research and scholarly organizations to de-
velop programs and products to assist in re-
searching, publishing, marketing, and distrib-
uting information relating to the commemora-
tion. 
(2) LEGAL AGREEMENTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this sec-
tion, the Commission may— 
(i) procure supplies, services, and 
property; and 
(ii) make or enter into contracts, 
leases, or other legal agreements. 
(B) LENGTH.—Any contract, lease, or other 
legal agreement made or entered into by the 
Commission shall not extend beyond the date of 
termination of the Commission. 
(3) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may se-
cure directly from a Federal agency such infor-
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mation as the Commission considers necessary to 
carry out this section. 
(B) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—On re-
quest of the Chairperson of the Commission, the 
head of the agency shall provide the information 
to the Commission in accordance with applicable 
laws. 
(4) FACA NONAPPLICABILITY.—Section 14(b) of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 
shall not apply to the Commission. 
(5) NO EFFECT ON AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this 
section supersedes the authority of the States or the 
National Park Service concerning the commemora-
tion. 
(g) PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
paragraph (3)(A), a member of the Commission 
shall serve without compensation. 
(B) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the 
Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, in-
cluding 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 reg-
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ular place of business of the member in the per-
formance of the duties of the Commission. 
(C) STATUS.—A member of the Commis-
sion, who is not otherwise a Federal employee, 
shall be considered a Federal employee only for 
purposes of the provisions of law related to eth-
ics, conflicts of interest, corruption, and any 
other criminal or civil statute or regulation gov-
erning the conduct of Federal employees. 
(2) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OTHER STAFF.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the 
Commission may, without regard to the provi-
sions of title 5, United States Code, governing 
appointments in the competitive service and ter-
mination of employees (including regulations), 
appoint and terminate an executive director, 
subject to confirmation by the Commission, and 
appoint and terminate such other additional 
personnel as are necessary to enable the Commis-
sion to perform the duties of the Commission. 
(B) STATUS.—The Executive Director and 
other staff appointed under this paragraph shall 
be considered Federal employees under section 
2105 of title 5, United States Code, notwith-
standing the requirements of such section. 
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(C) CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE DIREC-
TOR.—The employment of an executive director 
shall be subject to confirmation by the Commis-
sion. 
(D) COMPENSATION.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided 
in clause (ii), the Chairperson of the Com-
mission may fix the compensation of the ex-
ecutive director and other personnel without 
regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and 
subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, 
United States Code, relating to classifica-
tion of positions and General Schedule pay 
rates. 
(ii) MAXIMUM RATE OF PAY.—The rate 
of basic pay for the executive director and 
other personnel shall not exceed the rate 
payable for level V of the Executive Sched-
ule under section 5316 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(3) GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.— 
(A) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 
(i) SERVICE ON COMMISSION.—A mem-
ber of the Commission who is an officer or 
employee of the Federal Government shall 
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serve without compensation in addition to 
the compensation received for the services of 
the member as an officer or employee of the 
Federal Government. 
(ii) DETAIL.—At the request of the 
Commission, the head of any Federal agen-
cy may detail, on a reimbursable or non-
reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of 
the agency to the Commission to assist the 
Commission in carrying out the duties of 
the Commission under this section. 
(iii) CIVIL SERVICE STATUS.—Notwith-
standing any other provisions in this sub-
section, Federal employees who serve on the 
Commission, are detailed to the Commis-
sion, or otherwise provide services under 
this section, shall continue to be Federal 
employees for the purpose of any law spe-
cific to Federal employees, without inter-
ruption or loss of civil service status or 
privilege. 
(B) STATE EMPLOYEES.—The Commission 
may— 
(i) accept the services of personnel de-
tailed from States (including subdivisions of 
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States) under subchapter VI of chapter 33 of 
title 5, United States Code; and 
(ii) reimburse States for services of de-
tailed personnel. 
(4) MEMBERS
OF
ADVISORY
COMMITTEES.— 
Members of advisory committees appointed under sub-
section (f)(1)(B)— 
(A) shall not be considered employees of the 
Federal Government by reason of service on the 
committees for the purpose of any law specific to 
Federal employees, except for the purposes of 
chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code, relat-
ing to conflicts of interest; and 
(B) may be paid travel expenses, including 
per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates author-
ized for an employee of an agency under sub-
chapter 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 committee. 
(5) VOLUNTEER
AND
UNCOMPENSATED
SERV-
ICES.—Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, 
United States Code, the Commission may accept and 
use such voluntary and uncompensated services as the 
Commission determines necessary. 
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(6) SUPPORT
SERVICES.—The Director of the 
National Park Service shall provide to the Commis-
sion, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative 
support services as the Commission may request. 
(7) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTER-
MITTENT SERVICES.—The Chairperson of the Com-
mission may employ experts and consultants on a 
temporary or intermittent basis in accordance with 
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates 
for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent 
of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V 
of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that 
title. Such personnel shall be considered Federal em-
ployees under section 2105 of title 5, United States 
Code, notwithstanding the requirements of such sec-
tion. 
(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to carry out this section not to exceed 
$500,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2015. 
(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—Amounts appro-
priated under this subsection for any fiscal year shall 
remain available until December 31, 2015. 
(i) TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall termi-
nate on December 31, 2015. 
(2) TRANSFER OF MATERIALS.—Not later than 
the date of termination, the Commission shall transfer 
any documents, materials, books, manuscripts, mis-
cellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, exhib-
its, and any materials donated to the Commission 
that relate to the War of 1812, to Fort McHenry Na-
tional Monument and Historic Shrine. 
(3) DISPOSITION OF FUNDS.—Any funds held by 
the Commission on the date of termination shall be 
deposited in the general fund of the Treasury. 
(4) ANNUAL AUDIT.—The Inspector General of 
the Department of the Interior shall perform an an-
nual audit of the Commission, shall make the results 
of the audit available to the public, and shall trans-
mit such results to the Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate. 
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Calendar No. 965 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5235 
AN ACT 
To establish the Ronald Reagan Centennial 
Commission. 
SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 
Reported with an amendment 
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