§ 2108. Provisions relating to Senate Commission on Art

(a) Authority to acquire and dispose

(1) In general

The Senate Commission on Art (referred to in this section as the “Commission”) may—

(A) accept gifts of money; and

(B) acquire (by gift, purchase, or otherwise) any work of art, historical object, document, or material relating to historical matters, or exhibit, for placement or exhibition in the Senate Wing of the Capitol, the Senate Office Buildings, or in rooms, spaces, or corridors thereof.

(2) Accession or disposal

All works of art, historical objects, documents, or material related to historical matters, or exhibits, acquired by the Commission may, as determined by the Commission and after consultation with the Curatorial Advisory Board, be—

(A) retained for accession to the United States Senate Collection or other use; or

(B) disposed of by sale or other transaction.

(3) Omitted

(b) Advisory boards

(1) Curatorial Advisory Board

There is established a Board which shall be chaired by the Senate Curator. The Curatorial Advisory Board shall provide advice and assistance to the Commission on the acquisition, care, and disposition of items for or within the United States Senate Collection, and on such other matters as the Commission determines appropriate.

(2) Additional advisory boards

(A) In general

The Commission, or the chairman and vice chairman acting jointly on behalf of the Commission and after giving notice to the Commission, may establish 1 or more additional advisory boards.

(B) Term

The term of existence for an additional advisory board—

(i) shall be specified by the Commission but no longer than 4 years; and

(ii) shall be renewable.

The purpose of an additional advisory board shall be to provide advice and assistance to the Commission and to further the purposes of the Commission.

(3) Appointments

(A) In general

Subject to subparagraph (B), the Curatorial Advisory Board and other advisory boards established by the Commission under paragraph (2) shall be composed of members appointed by the Commission, or the chairman and vice chairman acting jointly on behalf of the Commission and after giving notice to the Commission.

(B) Applicable rules

Members appointed under subparagraph (A)—

(i) shall be appointed from public and private life and shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission; and

(ii) in the case of individuals appointed to the Curatorial Advisory Board, shall be experts or have significant experience in the field of arts, historic preservation, or other appropriate fields.

Each member of the Commission may have appointed to an advisory board created by the Commission at least 1 individual requested by that member.

(4) Members

A member of a board under this subsection—

(A) may, at the discretion of the Commission, be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of the official duties of the board from any funds available to the Commission in accordance with applicable Senate regulations for such expenses; and

(B) shall not, by virtue of such member’s service on the board, be deemed to be an officer, employee, or agent of the Senate and may not bind the Senate in any contract or obligation.

(5) Terms for additional advisory board members

Members appointed to the other advisory boards created under paragraph (2) shall serve for terms as stated in their appointment, but no longer than a term of 4 years, except that any member may be reappointed upon the expiration of their term.

(6) Regulations

The Commission, or the chairman and vice chairman acting jointly on behalf of the Commission and after giving notice to the Commission, in consultation with the Committee on Rules and Administration, may promulgate such regulations governing advisory boards established under this subsection as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection.

(7) Assistance

The Executive Secretary of the Commission shall provide assistance to an advisory board as authorized by the Commission.

(1) Establishment

There is established in the Treasury a fund, to be known as the “Senate Preservation Fund” (in this section referred to as the “fund”), which shall consist of amounts deposited and credited under paragraph (3).

(2) Payment of costs

The fund shall be available to the Commission for the payment of acquisition and transaction costs incurred for acquisitions under subsection (a) of this section, for official activities of any advisory board established under subsection (b) of this section, for any purposes for which funds from the contingent fund of the Senate may be used under section 2107 (a) of this title, and for expenditures, not to exceed $10,000 in any fiscal year, for meals and refreshments in Capitol facilities in connection with official activities of the Commission or other authorized programs or activities.

(3) Deposits, credits, and disbursements

(A) Deposits

The Commission shall deposit in the fund amounts appropriated for use of the fund, gifts of money, and proceeds of transactions under subsection (a) of this section.

(B) Credits

The Secretary of the Treasury shall credit to the fund the interest on, and the proceeds from sale or redemption of, obligations held in the fund.

Disbursements from the fund shall be made on vouchers approved by the Commission and signed by the Executive Secretary of the Commission.

(4) Investments

(A) In general

The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest any portion of the fund that, as determined by the Commission, is not required to meet current withdrawals.

(B) Type of obligation

Each investment required by this paragraph shall be made in an interest bearing obligation of the United States or an obligation guaranteed as to the principal and interest by the United States that, as determined by the Commission, has a maturity suitable for the fund.

In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary of the Treasury may make such purchases, sales, and redemption of obligations as may be approved by the Commission.

(5) Services and support

The Library of Congress shall provide financial management and disbursing services and support to the Commission as may be required and mutually agreed to by the Librarian of Congress and the Executive Secretary of the Commission.

(6) Audits

The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct annual audits of the Senate Preservation Fund and shall report the results of each audit to the Commission.

U.S. Code

§ 2108. Provisions relating to Senate Commission on Art