A bill to recognize the organization known as the American Council of Learned Societies.
PL 97-192 (H.R.4769), enacted 06/01/1982

PUBLIC LAW 97-192—JUNE 1, 1982 
96 STAT. 109 
Public Law 97-192 
97th Congress 
An Act 
To recognize the organization known as the American Council of Learned Societies. 
June 1,1982 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
CHARTER 
SECTION 1. The American Council of Learned Societies, organized 
and incorporated under the Nonprofit Corporation Act of the Dis-
trict of Columbia, is hereby recognized as such and is granted a 
charter. 
POWERS 
SEC. 2. American Council of Learned Societies (hereinafter 
referred to as the "corporation") shall have only those powers 
granted to it through its bylaws and articles of incorporation filed in 
the State or States in which it is incorporated and subject to the 
laws of such State or. States. 
[H.R. 4769] 
American 
Council of 
Learned 
Societies. 
Charter. 
36 use 1901. 
36 u s e 1902. 
OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF CORPORATION 
SEC. 3. The objects and purposes of the corporation are those 36 use 1903. 
provided in its articles of incorporation and shall include the 
advancement of the humanistic studies in all fields of learning and 
the maintenance and strengthening of relations among the national 
societies devoted to such studies, and the corporation shall function 
as authorized by the laws of the State or States where it is 
incorporated. 
SERVICE OF PROCESS 
SEC. 4. With respect to service of process, the corporation shall 36 use 1904. 
comply with the laws of the States in which it is incorporated and 
those States in which it carries on its activities in furtherance of its 
corporate purposes. 
MEMBERSHIP 
SEC. 5. Eligibility for membership in the corporation and the 36 use 1905. 
rights and privileges of members shall, except as provided in this 
Act, be as provided in the constitution and bylaws of the corpora-
tion. 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS; COMPOSITION; RESPONSIBIUTIES 
SEC. 6. The board of directors of the corporation and the responsi- 36 use 1906. 
bilities thereof shall be as provided in the articles of incorporation of 
96 STAT. 110 
PUBLIC LAW 97-192—JUNE 1, 1982 
the corporation and in conformity with the laws of the State or 
States in which it is incorporated. 
OFFICERS OF CORPORATION 
36 use 1907. 
SEC. 7. The ofQcers of the corporation, and the election of such 
officers shall be as is provided in the articles of incorporation of the 
corporation and in conformity with the laws of the State or States 
wherein it is incorporated. 
RESTRICTIONS 
36 use 1908. 
SEC. 8. (a) No part of the income or assets of the corporation shall 
inure to any member, officer, or director of the corporation or be 
distributed to any such person during the life of this charter. 
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the pay-
ment of reasonable compensation to the officers of the corporation 
or reimbursement for actual necessary expenses in amounts 
approved by the board of directors. 
(b) The corporation shall not make any loan to any officer, direc-
tor, or employee of the corporation. 
(c) The corporation and any officer and director of the corporation, 
acting as such officer or director, shall not contribute to, support or 
otherwise participate in any political activity or in any manner 
attempt to influence legislation. 
(d) The corporation shall have no power to issue any shares of 
stock nor to declare or pay any dividends. 
(e) The corporation shall not claim congressional approval or 
Federal Government authority for any of its activities. 
UABILITY 
36 use 1909. 
SEC. 9. The corporation shall be liable for the acts of its officers 
and agents when acting within the scope of their authority. 
BOOKS AND RECORDS; INSPECTION 
36 use 1910. 
SEC. 10. The corporation shall keep correct and complete books 
and records of account and shall keep minutes of any proceeding of 
the corporation involving any of its members, the board of directors, 
or any committee having authority under the board of directors. The 
corporation shall keep at its principal office a record of the names 
and addresses of all members having the right to vote. All books and 
records of such corporation may be inspected by any member having 
the right to vote, or by any agent or attorney of such member, for 
any proper purpose, at any reasonable time. Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to contravene any applicable State law. 
AUDIT OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 
SEC. 11. The first section of the Act entitled "An Act to provide for 
audit of accounts of private corporations established under Federal 
law", approved August 30, 1964 (36 U.S.C. 1101), is amended by 
adding at the end thereof the following: 
"(56) American Council of Learned Societies.". 
PUBLIC LAW 97-192—JUNE 1, 1982 
96 STAT. Ill 
ANNUAL REPORT 
SEC. 12. The corporation shall report annually to the Congress 36 use I9ii. 
concerning the activities of the corporation during the preceding 
fiscal year. Such annual report shall be submitted at the same time 
as in the report of the audit required by section 11 of this Act. The 
report shall not be printed as a public document. 
RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND OR REPEAL CHARTER 
SEC. 13. The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is expressly 36 use 1912. 
reserved to the Congress. 
DEFINITION OF "STATE" 
SEC. 14. For purposes of this Act, the term "State" includes the 36 use 1913. 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the 
territories and possessions of the United States. 
T
A
X EXEMPT STATUS 
SEC. 15. The corporation shall maintain its status as an organiza- 36 use 1914. 
tion exempt from taxation as provided in the Internal Revenue 
Code. If the corporation fails to maintain such status, the charter 
granted hereby shall expire. 
Approved June 1, 1982. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4769: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 97-285 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
SENATE REPORT No. 97-395 (eomm. on the Judiciary). 
eONGRESSIONAL REOORD: 
Vol. 127 (1981): Oct. 26, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 128 (1982): May 24, considered and passed Senate.