20 USC 80t-2 - Council

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 01, 2024

§ 80t–2.

Council

(a)

Establishment

(b)

Duties

(1)

In general

The 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;

(C)

recommend annual operating budgets for the Museum to the Board of Regents;

(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 responsibilities

The 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 responsibilities

The 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

(c)

Composition and appointment

(1)

In general

(2)

Voting members

The 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.

(C)

One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(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 appointees

As 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

(C)

6 members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.

(3)

Reappointment

(4)

Vacancies

(A)

In general

A 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.)

cite as: 20 USC 80t-2