To reauthorize the National Film Preservation Board, and for other purposes.
PL 104-285 (H.R.1734), enacted 10/11/1996

PUBLIC LAW 104-285—OCT. 11, 1996 
110 STAT. 3377 
Public Law 104-285 
104th Congress 
An Act 
To reauthorize the National Film Preservation Board, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
TITLE I—REAUTHORIZATION OF THE 
NATIONAL FILM PRESERVATION BOARD 
Oct. 11, 1996 
[H.R. 1734] 
National Film 
Preservation Act 
of 1996. 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 
2 USC 179/note. 
This title may be cited as the "National Film Preservation 
Act of 1996". 
SEC. 102. NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
2 USC 179/. 
The Librarian of Congress (hereafter in this Act referred to 
as the "Librarian") shall continue the National Fihn Registry estab-
Ushed and maintained under the National Fihn Preservation Act 
of 1988 (Pubhc Law 100-446), and the National Fibn Preservation 
Act of 1992 (PubUc Law 102-307) pursuant to the provisions of 
this title, for the purpose of maintaining and preserving films 
that are culturally, historically, or aesthetic^ly significant. 
SEC. 103. DUTIES OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS. 
2 USC 179m. 
(a) POWERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Librarian shall, after consultation 
with the Board established pursuant to section 104— 
(A) continue the implementation of the comprehensive 
national film preservation program for motion pictures 
estabhshed under the National Film Preservation Act of 
1992, in conjunction with other film archivists, educators 
and historians, copyright owners, film industry representa-
tives, and others involved in activities related to film 
preservation, taking into account the objectives of the 
national film preservation study and the comprehensive 
national plan conducted under the National Film Preserva-
tion Act of 1992. This program shall— 
(i) coordinate activities to assure that efforts of 
archivists and cop3rright owners, and others in the 
pubhc and private sector, are effective and complemen-
tary; 
(ii) generate public awareness of and support for 
these activities; 
(iii) increase accessibility of films for educational 
purposes; and 
110 STAT. 3378 
PUBLIC LAW 104-285—OCT. 11, 1996 
Federal Register, 
publication. 
2 use 179n. 
Establishment. 
(iv) undertake studies and investigations of film 
preservation activities as needed, including the efficacy 
of new technologies, and recommend solutions to 
improve these practices; 
(B) establish criteria and procedures imder which films 
may be included in the National Film Registry, except 
that no film shall be eligible for inclusion in the National 
Film Registry until 10 years after such film's first publica-
tion; 
(C) establish procedures under which the general pub-
lic may make recommendations to the Board regarding 
the inclusion of films in the National Film Registry; and 
(D) determine which films satisfy the criteria estab-
lished under subparagraph (B) and qualify for inclusion 
in the National Film Registry, except that the Librarian 
shall not select more than 25 films each year for inclusion 
in the Registry. 
(2) PUBLICATION OF FILMS IN REGISTRY.—The Librarian 
shall publish in the Federal Register the nsune of each film 
that is selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry. 
(3) SEAL.—The Librarian shall provide a seal to indicate 
that a film has been included in the National Film Registry 
and is the Registry version of that film. The Librarian shall 
establish guidelines for approval of the use of the seal in 
accordance with subsection (b). 
(b) USE OF SEAL.—The seal provided under subsection (a)(3) 
may only be used on film copies of the Registry version of a 
film. Such seal may be used only after the Librarian has given 
approval to those persons seeking to apply the seal in accordance 
with the guidelines under subsection (a)(3). In the case of copy-
righted works, only the cop)^ght owner or an authorized licensee 
of the cop5rright owner may place or authorize the placement of 
the seal on any film copy of a Registry version of a film selected 
for inclusion in the National Film Registry, and the Librarian 
may place the seal on any film copy of the Registry version of 
any film that is maintained in the Nationsil Film Registry Collection 
in the Library of Congress, Anyone authorized to place the seal 
on any film copy of any Registry version of a film may accompany 
such seal with the following language: "This film was selected 
for inclusion in the National Film Registry by the National Film 
Preservation Board of the Library of Congress because of its cul-
tural, historical, or aesthetic significance.". 
SEC. 104. NATIONAL FILM PRESERVATION BOARD. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.— 
(1) MEMBERS.—The Librarian shall establish in the Librsiry 
of Congress a National Film Preservation Board to be comprised 
of 20 members, who shall be selected by the Librarian in 
accordance with this section. Subject to subparagraphs (C) and 
(N), the Librarian shall request each organization listed in 
subparagraphs (A) through (Q) to submit a list of three can-
didates qualified to serve as a member of the Board. Except 
for the members-at-large appointed under subparagraph (2), 
the Librarian shall appoint one member from each such list 
submitted by such organizations, and shall designate from that 
list an alternate who may attend at Board expense those 
PUBLIC LAW 104-285—OCT. 11, 1996 
110 STAT. 3379 
meetings to which the individual appointed to the Board cannot 
attend. The organizations are the following: 
(A) The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 
(B) The Directors Guild of America. 
(C) The Writers Guild of America. The Writers Guild 
of America East and the Writers Guild of America West 
shall each nominate three candidates, and a representative 
from one organization shall be selected as the member 
and a representative from the other organization as the 
alternate. 
(D) The National Society of Film Critics. 
(E) The Society for Cinema Studies. 
(F) The American Film Institute. 
(G) The Department of Film and Television of the 
School of Theater, Film and Television at the University 
of California, Los Angeles. 
(H) The Department of Film and Television of the 
Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. 
(I) The University Film and Video Association. 
(J) The Motion Picture Association of America. 
(K) The Alliance of Motion Picture 8ind Television 
Producers. 
(L) The Screen Actors Guild of America. 
(M) The National Association of Theater Owners. 
(N) The American Society of Cinematographers and 
the International Photographers Guild, which shall jointly 
submit one list of three candidates from which a member 
and alternate will be selected. 
(O) The United States Members of the International 
Federation of Film Archives. 
(P) The Association of Moving Image Archivists. 
(Q) The Society of Composers and Lyricists. 
(2) 
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE.—In 
addition to the 
members 
appointed under paragraph (1), the Librarian shall appoint 
up to three members-at-large. The Librarian shall also select 
an alternate for each member at-large, who may attend at 
Board expense those meetings which the member at-large can-
not attend. 
(b) CHAIR.—The Librarian shall appoint one member of the 
Board to serve as Chair. 
(c) TERM OF OFFICE.— 
(1) TERMS.—The term of each member of the Board shall 
be 4 years, except that there shall be no limit to the number 
of terms that any individual member may serve. 
(2) REMOVAL OF MEMBER OR ORGANIZATION.—The Librarian 
shall have the authority to remove any member of the Board, 
or the organization listed in subsection (a) such member rep-
resents, if the member, or organization, over any consecutive 
2-year period, fails to attend at least one regularly scheduled 
Board meeting. 
(3) VACANCIES.—^A vacancy in the Board shall be filled 
in the manner in which the original appointment was made 
under subsection (a), except that the Librarian may fill the 
vacancy from a list of candidates previously submitted by the 
organization or organizations involved. Any member appointed 
to fill a vacancy before the expiration of the term for which 
110 STAT. 3380 
PUBLIC LAW 104-285—OCT. 11, 1996 
his or her predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for 
the remainder of such term. 
(d) QUORUM.—11 members of the Board shall constitute a 
quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings. 
(e) REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.—Members of the Board shall 
serve without pay, but may be reimbursed for the actual and 
necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred by them 
in the performance of the duties of the Board. 
(£) MEETINGS.—^The Board shall meet at least once each fiscal 
year. Meetings shall be at the call of the Librarian. 
(g) CONFLICT OF INTEREST.—^The Librarian shall estabhsh rules 
and procedures to address any potential conflict of interest between 
a member of the Board and responsibilities of the Board. 
2 use 179o. 
SEC. 105. RESPONSIBILrnES AND POWERS OF BOARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^The Board shall review nominations of films 
submitted to it for inclusion in the National Film Registry and 
consult with the Librarian, as provided in section 103, with respect 
to the inclusion of such films in the Registry and the preservation 
of these and other films that are culturally, historically, or aestheti-
cally significant. 
(b) NOMINATION OF FILMS.—The Board shall consider, for inclu-
sion in the National Film Registry, nominations submitted by the 
general public as well as representatives of the film industry, such 
as the guilds and societies representing actors, directors, screen-
writers, cinematographers, and other creative artists, producers, 
and film critics, archives and other film preservation organizations, 
and representatives of academic institutions with film study pro-
grams. The Board shall nominate not more than 25 films each 
year for inclusion in the Registry. 
(c) POWERS.^ 
(1) IN GENERAL.—^The Board may, for the purpose of carry-
ing out its duties, hold such hearings, sit and act at such 
times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evi-
dence, as me Librarian and the Board consider appropriate. 
(2) SERVICE ON FOUNDATION.—TWO sitting members of the 
Board shall be appointed by the Librarian, and shall serve, 
as Board members of the National Film Preservation Founda-
tion, in accordance with section 203. 
2 use 179p. 
SEC. 106. NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY COLLECTION OF THE LIBRARY 
OF CONGRESS. 
(a) ACQUISITION OF ARCHIVAL QUALITY COPIES.—The Librarian 
shall endeavor to obtain, by gift firom the owner, an archival quality 
copy of the Registry version of each film included in the National 
Film Registry. Whenever possible, the Librarian shall endeavor 
to obtain the best surviving materials, including preprint materials. 
Cop3rright owners and others possessing copies of such materials 
are strongly encouraged, to further the preservation purposes of 
this Act, to provide preprint and other archival elements to the 
Library of Congress. 
(b) ADDITIONAL MATERIALS.—The Librarian shall endeavor to 
obtain, for educational and research purposes, additionsd materials 
related to each film included in the National Film Registry, such 
as background materials, production reports, shooting scripts 
(including continuity scripts) and other similar materials. 
(c) PROPERTY OF UNITED STATES.—All copies of films on the 
National Film Registry that are received as gifts or bequests by 
PUBLIC LAW 104-285—OCT. 11, 1996 
110 STAT. 3381 
the Librarian and other materials received by the Librarian under 
subsection (b), shall become the property of the United States 
Government, subject to the provisions of title 17, United States 
Code. 
(d) NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY COLLECTION.—All copies of films 
on the National Film Registry that are received by the Librarian 
under subsection (a), and other materials received by the Librarian 
under subsection (b), shall be maintained in the Library of Congress 
and be known as the "National Film Registry Collection of the 
Library of Congress". The Librarian shall, by regulation, and in 
accordance with title 17, United States Code, provide for reasonable 
access to the films and other materials in such collection for schol-
arly and research purposes. 
SEC. 107. SEAL OF THE NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY. 
2USC179q. 
(a) USE OF THE SEAL.— 
(1) PROHIBITION ON DISTRIBUTION AND EXHIBITION.—NO per-
son shall knowingly distribute or exhibit to the public a version 
of a film or any copy of a film which bears the seal described 
in section 103(a)(3) if such film— 
(A) is not included in the National Film Registry; or 
(B) is included in the National Film Registry, but such 
film or film copy has not been approved for use of the 
seal by the Librarieui pursuant to section 103(a)(1)(D). 
(2) PROHIBITION ON PROMOTION.—NO person shall know-
ingly use the seal described in section 103(a)(3) to promote 
any version of a film or film copy other than a Registry version. 
(b) EFFECTIVE 
DATE OF THE SEAL.—The use of the seal 
described in section 103(a)(3) shall be effective for each film after 
the Librarian publishes in the Federal Register, in accordance with 
section 103(a)(2), the name of that film as selected for inclusion 
in the National Film Registry. 
SEC. 108. REMEDIES. 
2 USC 179r. 
(a) JURISDICTION.—^The several district courts of the United Courts. 
States shall have jurisdiction, for cause shown, to prevent and 
restrain violations of section 107(a). 
(b) RELIEF.— 
(1) REMOVAL OF SEAL.—Except as provided in paragraph 
(2), relief for violation of section 107(a) shall be limited to 
the removal of the seal of the National Film Registry from 
the film involved in the violation. 
(2) FINE AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.—In the case of a pattern 
or practice of the willful violation of section 107(a), the United 
States district courts may order a civil fine of not more than 
$10,000 and appropriate injunctive relief. 
SEC. 109. LIMITATIONS OF REMEDIES. 
2 USC 179s. 
The remedies provided in section 108 shall be the exclusive 
remedies under this title, or any other Federal or State law, regard-
ing the use of the seal described in section 103(a)(3). 
SEC. 110. STAFF OF BOARD; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS. 
2 USC 179t. 
(a) STAFF.—The Librarian may appoint and fix the pay of 
such personnel as the Librarian considers appropriate to carry 
out this title. 
(b) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Librarian may, in carry-
ing out this title, procure temporary and intermittent services under 
110 STAT. 3382 
PUBLIC LAW 104-285—OCT. 11, 1996 
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates for 
individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum 
rate of basic pay payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule. In 
no case may a member of the Board or an alternate be paid 
as an expert or consultant under this section. 
2 use 179u. 
SEC. 111. DEFINrriONS. 
As used in this title— 
(1) the term "Librarian" means the Librarian of Congress; 
(2) the term "Board" means the National Film Preservation 
Board; 
(3) the term "film" means a "motion picture" as defined 
in section 101 of title 17, United States Code, except that 
such term does not include any work not originally fixed on 
film stock, such as a work fixed on videotape or laser disk; 
(4) the term "publication" means "publication" as defined 
in section 101 of title 17 United States Code; and 
(5) the term "Registry version" means, with respect to 
a film, the version of a fihn first pubHshed, or as complete 
a version as bona fide preservation and restoration activities 
by the Librarian, an archivist other than the Librarian, or 
the copyright owner can compile in those cases where the 
original material has been irretrievably lost, 
2 use 179v. 
SEC. 112. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Librarian such 
sirnis as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title, 
but in no fiscal year shall such sum exceed $250,000. 
2 use 179w. 
SEC. 113. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
The provisions of this title shall be effective for 7 years begin-
ning on the date of the enactment of this Act, The provisions 
of uiis title shall apply to any copy of any film, including those 
copies of films selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry 
under the National Film Preservation Act of 1988 and the National 
Film Preservation Act of 1992, except that any film so selected 
under either Act shall be deemed to have been selected for the 
National Film Registry under this title. 
SEC. 114. REPEAL. 
The National Film Preservation Act of 1992 (2 U.S.C. 179 
and following) is repealed. 
TITLE II—THE NATIONAL FILM 
PRESERVATION FOUNDATION ACT 
36 use 5701 
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the "National Film Preservation 
Foundation Act". 
36 use 5701. 
SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF FOUNDATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the National Film 
Preservation Foundation (hereafter in this title referred to as the 
"Foundation"). The Foundation is a charitable and nonprofit cor-
poration and is not an agency or establishment of the United 
States. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Foimdation are— 
PUBLIC LAW 104-285—OCT. 11, 1996 
110 STAT. 3383 
(1) to encourage, accept, and administer private gifts to 
promote and ensure the preservation and public accessibility 
of the nation's film heritage held at the Library of Congress 
and other public and nonprofit archives throughout the United 
States; 
(2) to further the goals of the Library of Congress and 
the National Film Preservation Board in connection with their 
activities under the National Film Preservation Act of 1996; 
and 
(3) to undertake and conduct other activities, alone or 
in cooperation with other film related institutions and organiza-
tions, as will further the preservation and public accessibility 
of films made in the United States, particularly those not 
protected by private interests, for the benefit of present and 
future generations of Americans. 
SEC. 203. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION. 
36 USC 5702. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND MEMBERSHIP.—The Foundation shall 
have a governing Board of Directors (hereafter in this title referred 
to as the "Board"), which shall consist of 9 Directors, each of 
whom shall be a United States citizen and at least 6 of whom 
must be knowledgeable or experienced in film production, distribu-
tion, preservation, or restoration, including 2 who shall be sitting 
members of the National Film Preservation Board. These 6 mem-
bers of the Board shall, to the extent practicable, represent diverse 
points of views fi'om the film community, including motion picture 
producers, creative artists, nonprofit and public archivists, histo-
rians, film critics, theater owners, and laboratory and university 
personnel. The Librarian of Congress (hereafter in this title referred 
to as the "Librarian") shall be an ex officio nonvoting member 
of the Board. Appointment to the Board shall not constitute employ-
ment by, or the holding of an office of, the United States for 
the purpose of any Federal law. 
(b) APPOINTMENT AND TERMS.—Within 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Librarian shall appoint the Direc-
tors of the Board. Each Director shall be appointed for a term 
of 4 years. A vacancy on the Board shall be filled, within 60 
days after the vacancy occurs, in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made. No individual may serve more than 2 
consecutive terms as a Director. 
(c) CHAIR.—The initial Chair shall be appointed by the Librar-
ian fi*om the membership of the Board for a 2-year term, and 
thereafter shall be appointed and removed in accordance with the 
Foundation's bylaws. 
(d) QUORUM.—^A majority of the current membership of the 
Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 
(e) MEETINGS.—The Board shall meet at the call of the Librar-
ian or the Chair at least once a year. If a Director misses 3 
consecutive regularly scheduled meetings, that individual may be 
removed from the Board by the Librarian, and that vacancy shall 
be filled in accordance with subsection (b). 
(f) REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.—Members of the Board shall 
serve without pay, but may be reimbursed for the actual and 
necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred by them 
in the performance of the duties of the Foundation. 
(g) GENERAL POWERS.— 
110 STAT. 3384 
PUBLIC LAW 104-285—OCT. 11, 1996 
(1) 
ORGANIZATION 
OF FOUNDATION.—The Board may 
complete the orgginization of the Foundation by— 
(A) appointing, removing, and replacing officers, except 
as provided for in paragraph (2)(B); 
(B) adopting a constitution and bylaws consistent with 
the purposes of the Foundation and the provisions of this 
title; and 
(C) undertaking such other acts as may be necessary 
to carry out the provisions of this title. 
(2) LIMITATION ON APPOINTMENT OF EMPLOYEES.—The 
following limitations apply with respect to the appointment 
of employees of the Foundation: 
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), employees 
of the Foundation shall be appointed, removed, and 
replaced by the Secretary of the Board. All employees 
(including the Secretary of the Board) shall be appointed 
and removed without regard to the provisions of title 5, 
United States Code, governing appointments in the 
competitive service, and may be paid without regard to 
the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 
53 of such title relating to classification and OenersQ Sched-
ule pay rates, except that no individual so appointed may 
receive pay in excess of the annual rate of basic pay in 
effect for grade GS-15 of the General Schedule. Neither 
the Board, nor any of the employees of the Foundation, 
including the Secretary of the Board, shall be construed 
to be employees of the Library of Congress. 
(B) The first employee appointed shall be the Secretary 
of the Board. The Secretary shall be appointed, and may 
be removed by, the Librarian. 
(C) The Secretary of the Board shall— 
(i) serve as its executive director, and 
(ii) be knowledgeable and experienced in matters 
relating to film preservation and restoration activities, 
financial management, and fimd-raising. 
36 use 5703. 
SEC. 204. RIGHTS AND OBUGATIONS OF THE FOUNDATION. 
(a) GENERAL.—The Foundation^ 
(1) shall have perpetual succession; 
(2) may conduct business in the several States, the District 
of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession 
of the United States; 
(3) shall have its principal offices in the District of 
Columbia; and 
(4) shall at all times maintain a designated 
agent 
authorized to accept service of process for the Foundation. 
The serving of notice to, or service of process upon, the agent 
required under paragraph (4), or mailed to the business adchess 
of such agent, shall be deemed as service upon or notice to the 
Foundation. 
(b) SEAL.—^The Foundation shall have an officied seal selected 
by the Board which shall be judicially noticed. 
(c) POWERS.—To carry out its purposes under section 202, the 
Foundation shall have, in addition to the powers otherwise given 
it under this title, the usual powers of a corporation acting as 
a trustee in the District of Columbia, including the power— 
PUBLIC LAW 104-285—OCT. 11, 1996 
110 STAT. 3385 
(1) to accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use 
any gift, devise, or bequest, either absolutely or in trust, of 
real or personal property or any income therefrom or other 
interest therein; 
(2) to acquire by purchase or exchange any real or personal 
property or interest therein; 
(3) unless otherwise required by the instrument of transfer, 
to sell, donate, lease, invest, reinvest, retain, or otherwise 
dispose of smy property or income therefrom; 
(4) to borrow money and issue bonds, debentures, or other 
debt instruments; 
(5) to sue and be sued, and complain and defend itself 
in any court of competent jurisdiction, except that the Directors 
of the Board shall not be personally liable, except for gross 
negligence; 
(6) to enter into contracts or other arrangements with 
public agencies and private organizations and persons and to 
make such pa3rments as may be necessary to carry out its 
functions; and 
(7) to do any and all acts necessary and proper to carry 
out the purposes of the Foundation. 
A gift, devise, or bequest may be accepted by the Foiuidation 
even though it is encumbered, restricted, or subject to beneficial 
interests of private persons, if any current or future interest therein 
is for the benefit of the Foundation. 
SEC. 205. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND SUPPORT. 
36 USC 5704. 
The Librarian may provide personnel, facilities, and other 
administrative services to the Foundation, including reimbursement 
of expenses under section 203, not to exceed the current per diem 
rates for the Federal Government, and the Foundation shall 
reimburse the Librarian therefor. Amounts so reimbursed shall 
be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the appropriations 
then current and chargeable for the cost of providing such services. 
SEC. 206. VOLUNTEER STATUS. 
36 USC 5705. 
The Librarian may accept, without regard to the civil service 
classification laws, rules, or regulations, the services of the Founda-
tion, the Board, and other officers and employees of the Board, 
without compensation from the Library of Congress, as volunteers 
in the performance of the functions authorized in this title. 
SEC. 207. AUDITS, REPORT REQUIREMENTS, AND PETITION OF 36 USC 5706. 
ATTORNEY GENERAL, FOR EQUITABLE RELIEF. 
(a) AUDITS.—The Foundation shall be treated as a private 
corporation established under Federal law for purposes of the Act 
entitled "An Act to provide for audit of accounts of private corpora-
tions established under Federal law.", approved August 30, 1964 
(36 U.S.C. 1101-1103). 
(b) REPORT.—^The Foundation shall, as soon as practicable after 
the end of each fiscal year, transmit to the Congress a report 
of its proceedings and activities during such year, including a full 
and complete statement of its receipts, expenditures, and invest-
ments. 
(c) RELIEF WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN FOUNDATION ACTS OR 
FAILURE TO ACT.—If the Foundation— 
110 STAT. 3386 
PUBLIC LAW 104-285—OCT. 11, 1996 
(1) engages in, or threatens to engage in, any act, practice, 
or policy that is inconsistent with its purposes set forth in 
section 202(b), or 
(2) refuses, fails, or neglects to discharge its obligations 
under this title, or threatens to do so, 
the Attorney General of the United States may file a petition 
in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia 
for such equitable relief as may be necessary or appropriate. 
36 use 5707. 
SEC. 208. UNITED STATES RELEASE FROM LIABILITY. 
The United States shall not be liable for any debts, defaults, 
acts, or omissions of the Foundation, nor shall the full faith and 
credit of the United States extend to any obligation of the Foimda-
tion. 
36 use 5708. 
SEC. 209. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—There are authorized to be appropriated 
to the Library of Congress such sums as may be necessary to 
carry out the purposes of this title, not to exceed $250,000 for 
each of the fiscal years 2000 through 2003, to be made available 
to the Foimdation to match private contributions (whether in cur-
rency, services, or property) made to the Foimdation by private 
persons and State and local governments. 
(b) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—NO Federal fimds authorized 
under this section may be used by the Foundation for administrative 
expenses of the Foundation, including for salaries, travel, and 
transportation expenses, and other overhead expenses. 
Approved October 11, 1996. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1734: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 104-558, Pt. 1 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 142 (1996): 
July 29, considered and passed House. 
Sept. 28, considered and passed Senate.