20 USC 80 - Council

§ 80t. Findings
§ 80t-1. Establishment of Museum
§ 80t-2. Council
§ 80t-3. Director and staff of the Museum
§ 80t-4. Educational and liaison programs
§ 80t-5. Building
§ 80t-6. Definitions
§ 80t-7. Authorization of appropriations

§ 80t. FindingsCongress finds the following:

(1) Since its founding, the United States has greatly benefitted from the contributions of women.

(2) Historical accounts, monuments, memorials, and museums disproportionately represent men’s achievements and contributions and often neglect those of women. For example—

(A) a study of 18 United States history textbooks concluded that 10 percent of the material documented contributions of women;

(B) 9 statues out of 91 in the United States Capitol’s National Statuary Hall depict women; and

(C) only one of the 44 monuments operated by the National Park Service specifically honors the achievements of women after the 2016 designation of the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument.

(3) There exists no national museum in the United States that is devoted to the documentation of women’s contributions throughout the Nation’s history.

(4) On December 19, 2014, Congress created a Congressional Commission to study the potential for an American museum of women’s history. The bipartisan Commission unanimously concluded that the United States needs and deserves a physical national museum dedicated to showcasing the historical experiences and impact of women in the United States.

(5) A comprehensive women’s history museum would document the full spectrum of the experiences of women in the United States, represent a diverse range of viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds, more accurately depict the history of the United States, and add value to the Smithsonian Institution.

(6) The collections, exhibits, historical narrative materials, and museum programming of the women’s history museum should be inclusive, comprehensive, and innovative. Such collections, exhibits, materials, and programming should present the diverse range of experiences and viewpoints of all women in the United States, reflecting upon the things that set women apart from one another while also highlighting the experiences that many of these women share.

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. T, title I, § 102, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2272.)

§ 80t–1. Establishment of Museum

(a) Establishment

(b) Purpose

The purpose of the Museum established under this section shall be to provide for—

(1) the collection and study of, and the establishment of programs relating to, women’s contributions to various fields and throughout different periods of history that have influenced the direction of the United States;

(2) collaboration with other Smithsonian Institution museums and facilities, outside museums, and educational institutions; and

(3) the creation of exhibitions and programs that recognize diverse perspectives on women’s history and contributions.

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. T, title I, § 103, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2273.)

§ 80t–2. Council

(a) Establishment

(b) Duties

(1) In generalThe Council established under this section shall—

(A) make recommendations to the Board of Regents concerning the planning, design, and construction of the Museum;

(B) advise and assist the Board of Regents on all matters relating to the administration, operation, maintenance, and preservation of the Museum;

(D) report annually to the Board of Regents on the acquisition, disposition, and display of objects relating to women’s art, history, and culture; and

(E) adopt bylaws for the operation of the Council.

(2) Principal responsibilitiesThe Council, subject to the general policies of the Board of Regents, shall have sole authority to—

(A) purchase, accept, borrow, and otherwise acquire artifacts for addition to the collections of the Museum;

(B) loan, exchange, sell, and otherwise dispose of any part of the collections of the Museum, but only if the funds generated by that disposition are used for additions to the collections of the Museum; or

(C) specify criteria with respect to the use of the collections and resources of the Museum, including policies on programming, education, exhibitions, and research with respect to—

(i) the life, art, history, and culture of women;

(ii) the role of women in the history of the United States; and

(iii) the contributions of women to society.

(3) Other responsibilitiesThe Council, subject to the general policies of the Board of Regents, shall have authority—

(A) to provide for preservation, restoration, and maintenance of the collections of the Museum; and

(B) to solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, and devises of personal property for the purpose of aiding and facilitating the work of the Museum.

(4) Ensuring diversity of political viewpoints in exhibits and programs

(1) In general

(2) Voting membersThe Council shall include the following voting members:

(A) One member appointed by the majority leader of the Senate.

(B) One member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.

(D) One member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.

(E) The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

(F) One member of the Board of Regents, appointed by the Board of Regents.

(G) Nineteen individuals appointed by the Board of Regents. In appointing members under this subparagraph, the Board of Regents should give special consideration to appointing—

(i) members of the Congressional Commission;

(ii) board members of the National Women’s History Museum, a nonprofit, educational organization described in section 501(c)(3) of title 26 that was incorporated in 1996 in the District of Columbia and that is dedicated for the purpose of establishing a women’s history museum; and

(iii) scholars and representatives of organizations that are committed to the study of women’s history.

(3) Initial appointments

(d) Terms

(1) In general

(2) Initial appointeesAs designated by the Board of Regents at the time of appointment, of the voting members first appointed under subparagraph (G) of subsection (c)(2)—

(A) 7 members shall be appointed for a term of 1 year;

(B) 6 members shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and

(3) Reappointment

(4) Vacancies

(A) In generalA vacancy on the Council—

(i) shall not affect the powers of the Council; and

(ii) shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.

(B) Term

(e) Compensation

(1) In general

(2) Travel expenses

(f) Chairperson

(g) Meetings

(1) In general

(2) Initial meetings

(h) Quorum

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. T, title I, § 104, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2273.)

§ 80t–3. Director and staff of the Museum

(a) Director

(1) In general

(2) Duties

(b) Staff

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. T, title I, § 105, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2275.)

§ 80t–4. Educational and liaison programs

(a) Programs authorized

(b) Collaboration with schools

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. T, title I, § 106, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2276.)

§ 80t–5. Building

(a) Location

(1) In general

(2) Sites for considerationIn designating a site under paragraph (1), the Board of Regents shall—

(A) select a site in the District of Columbia; and

(B) include the consideration of the following sites:

(i) The site known as the “South Monument site”, located on the National Mall and bordered by 14th Street Northwest, Jefferson Drive Southwest, Raoul Wallenberg Place Southwest, and Independence Ave Southwest.

(ii) The Northwest United States Capitol site, bordered by 3rd Street Northwest, Constitution Avenue Northwest, 1st Street Northwest, and Pennsylvania Ave Northwest.

(3) Factors consideredIn designating a site under paragraph (1), the Board of Regents shall take into consideration each of the following factors:

(A) An estimate of the costs associated with each potential site.

(B) An assessment of the suitability of the space of each potential site, including size, proximity to other buildings and transportation, and other external environmental conditions, as appropriate.

(4) ConsultationThe Board of Regents shall carry out its duties under this subsection in consultation with each of the following:

(A) The Chair of the National Capital Planning Commission.

(B) The Director of the National Park Service.

(D) The Chair of the Commission on Fine Arts.

(E) The Chair of the Congressional Commission.

(F) The Architect of the Capitol.

(G) The chair and ranking member of each of the following committees:

(i) The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.

(ii) The Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives.

(iii) The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.

(iv) The Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.

(v) The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.

(vi) The Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(vii) The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

(5) Intent of Congress

(b) Site under the jurisdiction of another Federal agency

(1) Written notification of agreement

(2) Transfer

(d) Commemorative Works Act

(e) Cost sharingThe Board of Regents shall pay—

(1) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this section from Federal funds; and

(2) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this section from non-Federal sources.

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. T, title I, § 107, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2276.)

§ 80t–6. Definitions

In this subchapter,1

1 See References in Text note below.

the following definitions apply:

(1) The term “Board of Regents” means the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

(2) The term “Congressional Commission” means the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Women’s History Museum, established under section 3056 of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3810).

(3) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. T, title I, § 108, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2277.)

§ 80t–7. Authorization of appropriations

(a) In general

(b) Availability

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. T, title I, § 109, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2278.)