COVID–19 National Memorial Act
Bill: H.R.96 | Sponsor: Rep. Espaillat, Adriano (D-NY)
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
COVID-19 National Memorial Act
This bill provides for the establishment of a memorial at a designated location in the Bronx, New York, to honor the lives lost and the heroes who helped the nation to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill also establishes the COVID-19 National Memorial Commission to (1) submit to the Department of the Interior and Congress a report containing recommendations for the planning, design, construction, and long-term management of a permanent memorial; (2) advise Interior on the boundaries of the memorial site; (3) advise Interior in the development of a management plan for the memorial site; and (4) provide significant opportunities for public participation in the planning and design of the memorial.

To authorize a national memorial to commemorate those whose lives were 
 lost to COVID-19 and those who helped the country to recover, 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 ``COVID-19 National Memorial Act''.

SEC. 2. MEMORIAL.

    There is established a memorial located at a designated location in 
the Bronx, New York, to honor the lives lost and the heroes who helped.

SEC. 3. ADVISORY COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known 
as the ``COVID-19 National Memorial Commission'' (hereafter in this Act 
referred to as the ``Commission'').
    (b) Membership.--The Commission shall consist of 15 members, 
including the Director of the National Park Service, or the Director's 
designee, and 14 members appointed by the Secretary.
    (c) Term.--The term of the members of the Commission shall be for 
the life of the Commission.
    (d) Chair.--The members of the Commission shall select the Chair of 
the Commission.
    (e) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its 
powers if a quorum is present, but shall be filled in the same manner 
as the original appointment.
    (f) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
Chairperson or a majority of the members, but not less often than 
quarterly. Notice of the Commission meetings and agendas for the 
meetings shall be published in local newspapers in the vicinity of 
Somerset County and in the Federal Register. Meetings of the Commission 
shall be subject to section 552b of title 5, United States Code 
(relating to open meetings).
    (g) Quorum.--A majority of the members serving on the Commission 
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.
    (h) No Compensation.--Members of the Commission shall serve without 
compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in carrying 
out the duties of the Commission.
    (i) Duties.--The duties of the Commission shall be to--
            (1) not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment 
        of this Act, submit to the Secretary and Congress a report 
        containing recommendations for the planning, design, 
        construction, and long-term management of a permanent memorial;
            (2) advise the Secretary on the boundaries of the memorial 
        site;
            (3) advise the Secretary in the development of a management 
        plan for the memorial site;
            (4) consult and coordinate closely with the State of New 
        York, New York City, the Bronx Borough, and other interested 
        parties; and
            (5) provide significant opportunities for public 
        participation in the planning and design of the memorial.
    (j) Powers.--The Commission may--
            (1) make such expenditures for services and materials for 
        the purpose of carrying out this Act as the Commission 
        considers advisable from funds appropriated or received as 
        gifts for that purpose;
            (2) subject to approval by the Secretary, solicit and 
        accept donations of funds and gifts, personal property, 
        supplies, or services from individuals, foundations, 
        corporations, and other private or public entities to be used 
        in connection with the construction or other expenses of the 
        memorial;
            (3) hold hearings, enter into contracts for personal 
        services and otherwise;
            (4) do such other things as are necessary to carry out this 
        Act; and
            (5) by a vote of the majority of the Commission, delegate 
        such of its duties as it determines appropriate to employees of 
        the National Park Service.
    (k) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate upon dedication of 
the completed memorial.

SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.

    The Secretary is authorized to--
            (1) provide assistance to the Commission, including advice 
        on collections, storage, and archives;
            (2) consult and assist the Commission in providing 
        information, interpretation, and the conduct of oral history 
        interviews;
            (3) provide assistance in conducting public meetings and 
        forums held by the Commission;
            (4) provide project management assistance to the Commission 
        for planning, design, and construction activities;
            (5) provide programming and design assistance to the 
        Commission for possible memorial exhibits, collections, or 
        activities;
            (6) provide staff assistance and support to the Commission;
            (7) participate in the formulation of plans for the design 
        of the memorial, to accept funds raised by the Commission for 
        construction of the memorial, and to construct the memorial;
            (8) acquire from willing sellers the land or interests in 
        land for the memorial site by donation, purchase with donated 
        or appropriated funds, or exchange; and
            (9) to administer the memorial as a unit of the National 
        Park System in accordance with this Act and with the laws 
        generally applicable to units of the National Park System.
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