Route 66 Centennial Commission Act

IIB 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 66 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES FEBRUARY 7, 2019 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works AN ACT To establish the Route 66 Centennial Commission, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to prepare a plan on the preservation needs of Route 66, and for other pur- poses. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Feb 07, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H66.RFS H66 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 HR 66 RFS SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 1 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Route 66 Centennial 2 Commission Act’’. 3 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 4 Congress makes the following findings: 5 (1) Route 66 was the Nation’s first all-paved 6 highway under the U.S. Highway System connecting 7 the Midwest to California and has played a major 8 role in the history of the United States. 9 (2) Route 66 was the symbol of opportunity to 10 hundreds of thousands of people seeking escape from 11 the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, serving as a ‘‘road to 12 opportunity’’ in the West and providing employment 13 during the Great Depression, as thousands were put 14 to work on road crews to pave the road. 15 (3) Route 66 was invaluable in transporting 16 troops, equipment, and supplies across the country 17 to the West, where the government established mul- 18 tiple industries and armed force bases during World 19 War II. Upon the conclusion of the war in 1945, 20 Route 66 was a key route taken by thousands of 21 troops as they returned home. 22 (4) Route 66 symbolized the Nation’s positive 23 outlook during the postwar economic recovery in the 24 1950s and 1960s, serving as an icon of free-spirited 25 independence and linking people across the United 26 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Feb 07, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H66.RFS H66 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 HR 66 RFS States. During this period, the tourist industry 1 along Route 66 grew tremendously, giving rise to 2 countless tourist courts, motels, service stations, ga- 3 rages, and diners. 4 (5) Since June 27, 1985, when Route 66 was 5 decommissioned as a Federal highway, the popu- 6 larity and mythical stature of Route 66 has grown 7 domestically and internationally, as the road has ex- 8 perienced a rebirth of interest and support. 9 (6) The year 2026 will be the centennial anni- 10 versary of Route 66, and a commission should be es- 11 tablished to study and recommend to Congress ac- 12 tivities that are fitting and proper to celebrate that 13 anniversary in a manner that appropriately honors 14 America’s Mother Road. 15 SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT. 16 There is established a commission to be known as the 17 Route 66 Centennial Commission (referred to in this Act 18 as the ‘‘Commission’’). 19 SEC. 4. DUTIES. 20 The Commission shall have the following duties: 21 (1) To study activities that may be carried out 22 by the Federal Government to determine whether 23 the activities are fitting and proper to honor Route 24 66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary, in- 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Feb 07, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H66.RFS H66 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 4 HR 66 RFS cluding any of the activities described under section 1 8(b)(2)(B). 2 (2) To recommend to Congress the activities 3 the Commission considers most fitting and proper to 4 honor Route 66 on such occasion, to be carried out 5 by the Department of Transportation and any other 6 entity or entities within the Federal Government 7 that the Commission considers most appropriate to 8 carry out such activities. 9 (3) To plan and host, in cooperation with such 10 partners, a conference on the U.S. Numbered High- 11 way System, and assist in the activities of such a 12 conference. 13 SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP. 14 (a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission 15 shall be composed of 19 members appointed as follows: 16 (1) Three members, each of whom shall be a 17 qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap- 18 pointed by the President. 19 (2) Two members, each of whom shall be a 20 qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap- 21 pointed by the President on the recommendation of 22 the Secretary of Transportation. 23 (3) One member, who shall be a qualified cit- 24 izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Feb 07, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H66.RFS H66 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 5 HR 66 RFS President on the recommendation of the Governor of 1 Illinois. 2 (4) One member, who shall be a qualified cit- 3 izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 4 President on the recommendation of the Governor of 5 Missouri. 6 (5) One member, who shall be a qualified cit- 7 izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 8 President on the recommendation of the Governor of 9 Kansas. 10 (6) One member, who shall be a qualified cit- 11 izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 12 President on the recommendation of the Governor of 13 Oklahoma. 14 (7) One member, who shall be a qualified cit- 15 izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 16 President on the recommendation of the Governor of 17 Texas. 18 (8) One member, who shall be a qualified cit- 19 izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 20 President on the recommendation of the Governor of 21 New Mexico. 22 (9) One member, who shall be a qualified cit- 23 izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Feb 07, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H66.RFS H66 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 6 HR 66 RFS President on the recommendation of the Governor of 1 Arizona. 2 (10) One member, who shall be a qualified cit- 3 izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 4 President on the recommendation of the Governor of 5 California. 6 (11) Three members, each of whom shall be a 7 qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap- 8 pointed by the President on the recommendation of 9 the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in con- 10 sultation with the minority leader of the House of 11 Representatives. 12 (12) Three members, each of whom shall be a 13 qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap- 14 pointed by the President on the recommendation of 15 the majority leader of the Senate, in consultation 16 with the minority leader of the Senate. 17 (b) QUALIFIED CITIZEN.—A qualified citizen de- 18 scribed in this subsection is a private citizen of the United 19 States with— 20 (1) a demonstrated dedication to educating oth- 21 ers about the importance of historical figures and 22 events; and 23 (2) substantial knowledge and appreciation of 24 Route 66. 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Feb 07, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H66.RFS H66 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 7 HR 66 RFS (c) TIME OF APPOINTMENT.—Each initial appoint- 1 ment of a member of the Commission shall be made before 2 the expiration of the 120-day period beginning on the date 3 of the enactment of this Act. 4 (d) CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP.—If a member 5 of the Commission was appointed to the Commission as 6 a Member of Congress, and ceases to be a Member of Con- 7 gress, that member may continue to serve on the Commis- 8 sion for not longer than the 30-day period beginning on 9 the date that member ceases to be a Member of Congress. 10 (e) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed for the 11 life of the Commission. 12 (f) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission shall 13 not affect the powers of the Commission but shall be filled 14 in the manner in which the original appointment was 15 made. 16 (g) BASIC PAY.—Members shall serve on the Com- 17 mission without pay. 18 (h) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member shall receive 19 travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 20 in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, 21 United States Code. 22 (i) QUORUM.—Seven members of the Commission 23 shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold 24 hearings. 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Feb 07, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H66.RFS H66 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 8 HR 66 RFS (j) CHAIR.—The President, in consultation with the 1 Secretary of Transportation, shall designate one member 2 of the Commission as Chair. 3 (k) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the 4 call of the Chair. 5 SEC. 6. DIRECTOR AND STAFF. 6 (a) DIRECTOR.—The Commission may appoint and 7 fix the pay of a Director and such additional personnel 8 as the Commission considers to be appropriate. 9 (b) APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE 10 LAWS.— 11 (1) DIRECTOR.—The Director of the Commis- 12 sion may be appointed without regard to the provi- 13 sions of title 5, United States Code, governing ap- 14 pointments in the competitive service, and may be 15 paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 16 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relat- 17 ing to classification and General Schedule pay rates. 18 (2) STAFF.—The staff of the Commission shall 19 be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, 20 United States Code, governing appointments in the 21 competitive service, and shall be paid in accordance 22 with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III 23 of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification 24 and General Schedule pay rates. 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Feb 07, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H66.RFS H66 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 9 HR 66 RFS SEC. 7. POWERS. 1 (a) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.—The Commission 2 may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold such 3 hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such 4 testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission 5 considers to be appropriate. 6 (b) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any mem- 7 ber or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the 8 Commission, take any action that the Commission is au- 9 thorized to take by this Act. 10 (c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission 11 may secure directly from any department or agency of the 12 United States information necessary to enable the Com- 13 mission to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Chair 14 of the Commission, the head of that department or agency 15 shall furnish that information to the Commission. 16 (d) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United 17 States mails in the same manner and under the same con- 18 ditions as other departments and agencies of the United 19 States. 20 (e) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon 21 the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen- 22 eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim- 23 bursable basis, the administrative support services nec- 24 essary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities 25 under this Act. 26 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Feb 07, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H66.RFS H66 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 10 HR 66 RFS SEC. 8. REPORTS. 1 (a) INTERIM REPORTS.—The Commission may sub- 2 mit to Congress such interim reports as the Commission 3 considers to be appropriate. 4 (b) COMPREHENSIVE REPORT.— 5 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 5 years after 6 the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission 7 shall submit to the President and Congress a report 8 incorporating specific recommendations for the com- 9 memoration of the centennial of Route 66 and re- 10 lated events. 11 (2) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—The report under 12 paragraph (1)— 13 (A) shall include recommendations for the 14 allocation of financial and administrative re- 15 sponsibility among the public and private au- 16 thorities and organizations recommended for 17 participation by the Commission; and 18 (B) may recommend activities such as— 19 (i) the production, publication, and 20 distribution of books, pamphlets, films, 21 electronic publications, and other edu- 22 cational materials focusing on the history 23 and impact of Route 66 on the United 24 States and the world; 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Feb 07, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H66.RFS H66 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 11 HR 66 RFS (ii) bibliographical and documentary 1 projects, publications, and electronic re- 2 sources; 3 (iii) conferences, convocations, lec- 4 tures, seminars, and other programs; 5 (iv) the development of programs by 6 and for libraries, museums, parks, and his- 7 toric sites, including national traveling ex- 8 hibitions; 9 (v) ceremonies and celebrations com- 10 memorating specific events; 11 (vi) the production, distribution, and 12 performance of artistic works, and of pro- 13 grams and activities, focusing on the na- 14 tional and international significance of 15 Route 66; and 16 (vii) the issuance of commemorative 17 coins, medals, certificates of recognition, 18 and postage stamps. 19 (c) FINAL REPORT.—The Commission shall submit 20 to the President and Congress a final report not later than 21 90 days before the termination of the Commission pro- 22 vided in section 10. 23 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Feb 07, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H66.RFS H66 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 12 HR 66 RFS SEC. 9. PLAN ON PRESERVATION NEEDS OF ROUTE 66. 1 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation, 2 in consultation with the Governors referred to in section 3 5(a), shall prepare a plan on the preservation needs of 4 Route 66. 5 (b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 3 years 6 after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 7 submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra- 8 structure of the House of Representatives, the Committee 9 on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and the 10 President a report containing the plan prepared under 11 subsection (a). 12 SEC. 10. TERMINATION. 13 The Commission shall terminate not later than June 14 30, 2027. 15 Passed the House of Representatives February 6, 2019. Attest: KAREN L. HAAS, Clerk. VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Feb 07, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H66.RFS H66 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS