A bill to charter the National Academy of Public Administration.
PL 98-257 (H.R.3249), enacted 04/10/1984

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PUBLIC LAW 98-257—APR. 10, 1984 
98 STAT. 127 
Public Law 98-257 
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98th Congress 
An Act 
To charter the National Academy of Public Administration. 
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[H.R. 3249] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. CHARTER. 
36 USC 2301. 
The National Academy of Public Administration, organized and 
incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia, is hereby 
recognized as such and is granted a charter. 
SEC. 2. POWERS. 
36 USC 2302. 
The National Academy of Public Administration (hereinafter 
referred to as the "academy") 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. 
SEC. 3. OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF CORPORATION. 
36 USC 2303. 
The objects and purposes for which the Academy is organized 
shall be those provided in its articles of incorporation and shall 
include— 
(1) evaluating the structure, administration, operation, and 
program performance of Federal and other governments and 
government agencies, anticipating, identifying, and analyzing 
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significant problems and suggesting timely corrective action; 
(2) foreseeing and examining critical emerging issues in gover-
nance, formulating practical approaches to their resolution; 
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(3) assessing the effectiveness, structure, administration, and 
implications for governance of present or proposed public pro-
grams, policies, and processes, recommending specific changes; 
(4) advising on the relationship of Federal, State, regional, 
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and local governments; increasing public officials', citizens', and 
scholars' understanding of requirements and opportunities for 
sound governance and how these can be effectively met; and 
(5) demonstrating by the conduct of its affairs a commitment 
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to the highest professional standards of ethics and scholarship. 
SEC. 4. SERVICE OF PROCESS. 
36 USC 2304. 
With respect to service of process, the Academy shall comply with 
the laws of the State or States in which it is incorporated and the 
State or States in which it carries on its activities in furtherance of 
its corporate purposes. 
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP. 
36 USC 2305. 
Eligibility for membership in the Academy and the rights and 
privileges of members shall be as provided in the bylaws of the 
corporation. 
98 STAT. 128 
PUBLIC LAW 98-257—APR. 10, 1984 
36 use 2306. 
SEC. 6. BOARD OF DIRECTORS; COMPOSITION; RESPONSIBILITIES. 
The board of directors of the Academy and the responsibilities 
thereof shall be as provided in the articles of incorporation of the 
Academy and in conformity with the laws of the State or States in 
which it is incorporated. 
36 use 2307. 
SEC. 7. OFFICERS OF CORPORATION. 
The officers of the Academy, and the election of such officers, 
shall be as is provided in the articles of incorporation of the 
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Academy and in conformity with the laws of the State or States 
wherein it is incorporated. 
36 use 2308. 
SEC. 8. RESTRICTIONS. 
(a) No part of the income or assets of the corporation shall inure to 
any member, officer, or director of the Academy or be distributed to 
any such person during the life of this charter. Nothing in this 
subsection shall be construed to prevent the payment of reasonable 
compensation to the officers and members of the Academy or reim-
bursement for actual necessary expenses in amounts approved by 
the board of directors. 
(b) The Academy shall not make any loan to any officer, director, 
or employee of the corporation. 
(c) The Academy 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 Academy shall have no power to issue any shares of stock 
nor to declare or pay any dividends. 
(e) The Academy shall not claim congressional approval or Fed-
eral Government authority for any of its activities, other than by 
mutual agreement. 
(f) The Academy shall retain and maintain its status as a corpora-
tion organized and incorporated under the laws of the District of 
Columbia. 
36 use 2309. 
SEC. 9. LIABILITY. 
The Academy shall be liable for the acts of its officers and agents 
when acting within the scope of their authority. 
36 use 2310. 
SEC. 10. BOOKS AND RECORDS; INSPECTION. 
The Academy shall keep correct and complete books and records 
of account and shall keep minutes of any proceeding of the Academy 
involving any of its members, the board of directors, or any commit-
tee having authority under the board of directors. The Academy 
shall keep at its principal office a record of the names and addresses 
of all members having the right of 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. 
SEC. 11. AUDIT OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS. 
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: 
"(61) National Academy of Public Administration.". 
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PUBLIC LAW 98-257—APR. 10, 1984 
98 STAT. 129 
SEC. 12. ANNUAL REPORT. 
36 USC 2311. 
The Academy shall report annually to the Congress concerning 
the activities of the corporation during the preceding fiscal year. 
Such annual report shall be submitted at the same time as is the 
report of the audit required by section 11 of this Act. The report 
shall not be printed as a public document. 
SEC. 13. RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND OR REPEAL CHARTER. 
36 USC 2312. 
The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is expressly reserved 
to the Congress. 
SEC. 14. DEFINITION OF "STATE". 
36 USC 2313. ': 
For purposes of this Act, the term "State" includes the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories 
and possessions of the United States. 
SEC. 15. TAX-EXEMPT STATUS. 
36 USC 2314. 
The corporation shall maintain its status as an organization 
exempt from taxation as provided in the Internal Revenue Code. If 
the corporation fails to maintain such status, the charter granted 
hereby shall expire. 
SEC. 16. TERMINATION. 
36 USC 2315. 
If the corporation shall fail to comply with any of the restrictions 
or provisions of this Act the charter granted hereby shall expire. 
SEC. 17. SERVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 
^6 USC 2316. 
The National Academy of Public Administration shall, whenever 
called upon by Congress, or the Federal Government, investigate, 
examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of government, 
the actual expense of such investigations, examinations, and reports 
to be paid by the Federal Government from appropriations available 
for such purpose. 
Approved April 10, 1984. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3249 (S. 2102): 
HOUSE REPORT No. 98-491 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 129 (1983): Nov. 14, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 130 (1984): Mar. 27, considered and passed Senate.