TITLE 2 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER V - HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND FINE ARTS

Part A - United States Capitol Preservation Commission

2 USC 2081 - United States Capitol Preservation Commission

(a) Establishment and purposes
There is established in the Congress the United States Capitol Preservation Commission (hereinafter in this part referred to as the Commission) for the purposes of

(1) providing for improvements in, preservation of, and acquisitions for, the United States Capitol;

(2) providing for works of fine art and other property for display in the United States Capitol and at other locations under the control of the Congress; and

(3) conducting other activities that directly facilitate, encourage, or otherwise support any purposes specified in paragraph (1) or (2).

(b) Membership
The Commission shall be composed of the following Members of Congress:

(1) The President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be co-chairmen.

(2) The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Library.

(3) The Chairman and the ranking minority party member of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, and the Chairman and the ranking minority party member of the Committee on House Oversight of the House of Representatives.

(4) The majority leader and the minority leader of the Senate.

(5) The majority leader and the minority leader of the House of Representatives.

(6) The Chairman of the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Senate and the Chairman of the Commission of the House of Representatives Bicentenary, to be succeeded upon expiration of such commissions, by a Senator or Member of the House of Representatives, as appropriate, appointed by the Senate or House of Representatives co-chairman of the Commission, respectively.

(7) One Senator appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate and one Senator appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.

(8) One Member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one Member of the House of Representatives appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.

(c) Designees
Each member of the Commission specified under subsection (b) of this section (other than a member under paragraph (7) or (8) of such subsection) may designate a Senator or Member of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, to serve as a member of the Commission in place of the member so specified.

(d) Architect of the Capitol
In addition to the members under subsection (b) of this section, the Architect of the Capitol shall participate in the activities of the Commission, ex officio, and without the right to vote.

(e) Staff support and assistance
The Senate Commission on Art, the House of Representatives Fine Arts Board, and the Architect of the Capitol shall provide to the Commission such staff support and assistance as the Commission may request.

2 USC 2082 - Authority of Commission to accept gifts and conduct other transactions relating to works of fine art and other property

(a) In general
In carrying out the purposes referred to in section 2081 (a) of this title the Commission is authorized

(1) to accept gifts of works of fine art, gifts of other property, and gifts of money; and

(2) to acquire property, administer property, dispose of property, and conduct other transactions related to such purposes.

(b) Transfer and disposition of works of fine art and other property
The Commission shall, with respect to works of fine art and other property received by the Commission

(1) in consultation with the Joint Committee on the Library, the Senate Commission on Art, or the House of Representatives Fine Arts Board, as the case may be, transfer such property to the entity consulted;

(2) if a transfer described in paragraph (1) is not appropriate, dispose of the work of fine art by sale or other transaction; and

(3) in the case of property that is not directly related to the purposes referred to in section 2081 (a) of this title, dispose of such property by sale or other transaction.

(1) accept money only in the form of a check or similar instrument made payable to the Treasury of the United States and shall deposit any such check or instrument in accordance with section 2083 of this title;

(2) in making sales and engaging in other property transactions, take into consideration market conditions and other relevant factors; and

(3) assure that each transaction is directly related to the purposes referred to in section 2081 (a) of this title.

2 USC 2083 - Capitol Preservation Fund

(a) In general
There is established in the Treasury a fund, to be known as the Capitol Preservation Fund (hereafter in this part referred to as the fund), which shall consist of

(1) amounts deposited, and interest and proceeds credited, under subsection (d) of this section,

(2) obligations obtained under subsection (e) of this section, and

(3) all surcharges received by the Secretary of the Treasury from the sale of coins minted under the Bicentennial of the United States Congress Commemorative Coin Act.

(b) Availability of fund
The fund shall be available to the Commission

(1) for payment of transaction costs and similar expenses incurred under section 2082 of this title;

(2) subject to the approval of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, for improvement and preservation projects for the United States Capitol;

(3) for disbursement with respect to works of fine art and other property as provided in section 2082 of this title; and

(4) for such other payments as may be required to carry out section 2081 of this title or section 2082 of this title.

(c) Transaction costs and proportionality
In carrying out this section, the Commission shall, to the extent practicable, take such action as may be necessary

(1) to minimize disbursements under subsection (b)(1) of this section; and

(2) to equalize disbursements under subsection (b) of this section between the Senate and the House of Representatives.

(d) Deposits, credits, and disbursements
The Commission shall deposit in the fund gifts of money and proceeds of transactions under section 2082 of this title. 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 co-chairmen.

(e) Investments
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. Each investment shall be made in an interest bearing obligation of the United States or an obligation guaranteed as to 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 may make such purchases, sales, and redemptions of obligations as may be approved by the Commission.

2 USC 2084 - Audits by the Comptroller General

The Comptroller General shall conduct annual audits of the transactions of the Commission and shall report the results of each audit to the Congress.

2 USC 2085 - Advisory boards

The Commission may establish appropriate boards to provide advice and assistance to the Commission and to further the purposes of the Commission. The boards shall be composed of members (including chairmen) who shall be appointed by the Commission from public and private life and shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission and each co-chairman of the Commission may appoint one member to any such board. The members of boards under this section may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of the boards, at the discretion of the Commission.

2 USC 2086 - Definition

As used in this part, the term Member of the House of Representatives means a Representative in, or a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.

Part B - Senate Commission on Art

2 USC 2101 - Senate Commission on Art

(a) Establishment
There is hereby established a Senate Commission on Art (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) consisting of the President pro tempore of the Senate, the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate.

(b) Chairman and Vice Chairman; quorum; Executive Secretary
The Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the Senate shall be the chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the Commission. Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except that the Commission may fix a lesser number which shall constitute a quorum for the taking of testimony. The Secretary of the Senate shall be the Executive Secretary of the Commission^[1]

(c) Appointment of Senate Curator; assignment of assistants
The Secretary of the Senate shall appoint a Senate Curator approved by the Senate Commission on Art. The Senate Curator shall be an employee of the Secretary of the Senate assigned to assist the Commission. The Secretary of the Senate shall assign additional employees to assist the Commission, and provide such other assistance, as the Commission determines necessary.

(d) Hearings and meetings
The Commission shall be empowered to hold hearings, summon witnesses, administer oaths, employ reporters, request the production of papers and records, take such testimony, and adopt such rules for the conduct of its hearings and meetings, as it deems necessary.

[1] So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.

2 USC 2102 - Duties of Commission

(a) In general
The Commission is hereby authorized and directed to supervise, hold, place, protect, and make known all works of art, historical objects, and exhibits within the Senate wing of the United States Capitol, any Senate Office Buildings, and in all rooms, spaces, and corridors thereof, which are the property of the United States, and in its judgment to accept any works of art, historical objects, or exhibits which may hereafter be offered, given, or devised to the Senate, its committees, and its officers for placement and exhibition in the Senate wing of the Capitol, the Senate Office Buildings, or in rooms, spaces, or corridors thereof.

(b) Issuance and publication of regulations
The Commission shall prescribe such regulations as it deems necessary for the care, protection, and placement of such works of art, exhibits, and historical objects in the Senate wing of the Capitol and the Senate Office Buildings, and for their acceptance on behalf of the Senate, its committees, and officers. Such regulations shall be published in the Congressional Record at such time or times as the Commission may deem necessary for the information of the Members of the Senate and the public.

(c) Consistency of regulations
Regulations authorized by the provisions of section 2183 of this title to be issued by the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate for the protection of the Capitol, and any regulations issued, or activities undertaken, by the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, or the Architect of the Capitol, in carrying out duties relating to the care, preservation, and protection of the Senate wing of the Capitol and the Senate Office Buildings, shall be consistent with such rules and regulations as the Commission may issue pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(d) Responsibilities of Committee on Rules and Administration of Senate
The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate in consultation with the Architect of the Capitol and consistent with regulations prescribed by the Commission under subsection (b) of this section, shall have responsibility for the supervision, protection, and placement of all works of art, historical objects, and exhibits which shall have been accepted on behalf of the Senate by the Commission or acknowledged as United States property by inventory of the Commission, and which may be lodged in the Senate wing of the Capitol or the Senate Office Buildings by the Commission.

2 USC 2103 - Supervision and maintenance of Old Senate Chamber

The Commission shall have responsibility for the supervision and maintenance of the Old Senate Chamber on the principal floor of the Senate wing of the Capitol and of the Old Supreme Court Chamber insofar as each is to be preserved as a patriotic shrine in the Capitol for the benefit of the people of the United States.

2 USC 2104 - Publication of list of works of art, historical objects, and exhibits

The Commission shall, from time to time, but at least once every ten years, publish as a Senate document a list of all works of art, historical objects, and exhibits currently within the Senate wing of the Capitol and the Senate Office Buildings, together with their description, location, and with such notes as may be pertinent to their history.

2 USC 2105 - Authorization of appropriations

There is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of the contingent fund of the Senate for the expenses of the Commission such amount as may be necessary each fiscal year, to be disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate on vouchers signed by the Executive Secretary of the Commission and approved by the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate: Provided, That no payment shall be made from such appropriation as salary.

2 USC 2106 - Repealed. Pub. L. 10883, title I, 3(a)(3), Sept. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1010

Section, based on S. Res. No. 95, Ninety-second Congress, Apr. 1, 1971, enacted into permanent law and amended by Pub. L. 100–696, title IX, § 901(a), (c), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4610, 4611, related to additional authority of the Senate Commission on Art to acquire works of art, historical objects, documents, or exhibits. Section was classified to section 188b5 of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by Pub. L. 107–217, § 1, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1062.

2 USC 2107 - Conservation, restoration, replication, or replacement of items in United States Senate Collection

(a) Use of moneys in Senate contingent fund
Effective with the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and each fiscal year thereafter, subject to the approval of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, any unexpended and unobligated funds in the appropriation account for the Secretary of the Senate within the contingent fund of the Senate which have not been withdrawn in accordance with section 102a of this title, shall be available for the expenses incurred, without regard to the fiscal year in which incurred, for the purchase of art and historical objects for the United States Senate Collection, for exhibits and public education relating to the United States Senate Collection, for administrative and transitional expenses of the Senate Commission on Art, and for the conservation, restoration, and replication or replacement, in whole or in part, of works of art, historical objects, documents, or material relating to historical matters for placement or exhibition within the Senate wing of the United States Capitol, any Senate Office Building, or any room, corridor, or other space therein. In the case of replication or replacement of such works, objects, documents, or material, the funds available under this subsection shall be available for any such works, objects, documents, or material previously contained within the Senate wing of the Capitol, or a work, object, document, or material historically accurate.

(b) United States Senate Collection
All such works, objects, documents, or materials referred to in subsection (a) of this section may be known as the United States Senate Collection.

(c) Approval of disbursements by Chairman or Executive Secretary of Senate Commission on Art
Disbursements for expenses incurred for the purposes in subsection (a) of this section shall be made upon vouchers approved by the Chairman of the Senate Commission on Art or the Executive Secretary of the Senate Commission on Art.

2 USC 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.

(C) Purpose
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 members 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.

(C) Disbursements
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.

(C) Commission approval
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.

Part C - House of Representatives Fine Arts Board

2 USC 2121 - House of Representatives Fine Arts Board

(a) Establishment and authority
There is established in the House of Representatives a Fine Arts Board (hereafter in sections 2121 and 2122 of this title referred to as the Board), comprised of the House of Representatives members of the Joint Committee on the Library. The chairman of the Committee on House Oversight of the House of Representatives shall be the chairman of the Board. The Board, in consultation with the House Office Building Commission, shall have authority over all works of fine art, historical objects, and similar property that are the property of the Congress and are for display or other use in the House of Representatives wing of the Capitol, the House of Representatives Office Buildings, or any other location under the control of the House of Representatives.

(b) Clerk of the House of Representatives
Under the supervision and direction of the Board, the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall be responsible for the administration, maintenance, and display of the works of fine art and other property referred to in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Architect of the Capitol
The Architect of the Capitol shall provide assistance to the Board and to the Clerk of the House of Representatives in the carrying out of their responsibilities under sections 2121 and 2122 of this title.

2 USC 2122 - Acceptance of gifts on behalf of the House of Representatives

The Board is authorized to accept, on behalf of the House of Representatives, gifts of works of fine art, historical objects, and similar property, including transfers from the United States Capitol Preservation Commission under section 2082 of this title, for display or other use in the House of Representatives wing of the Capitol, the House of Representatives Office Buildings, or any other location under the control of the House of Representatives.

Part D - Miscellaneous

2 USC 2131 - National Statuary Hall

Suitable structures and railings shall be erected in the old hall of Representatives for the reception and protection of statuary, and the same shall be under the supervision and direction of the Architect of the Capitol. And the President is authorized to invite all the States to provide and furnish statues, in marble or bronze, not exceeding two in number for each State, of deceased persons who have been citizens thereof, and illustrious for their historic renown or for distinguished civic or military services, such as each State may deem to be worthy of this national commemoration; and when so furnished, the same shall be placed in the old hall of the House of Representatives, in the Capitol of the United States, which is set apart, or so much thereof as may be necessary, as a national statuary hall for the purpose herein indicated.

2 USC 2131a - Eligibility for placement of statues in National Statuary Hall

(a) Eligibility
No statue of any individual may be placed in National Statuary Hall until after the expiration of the 10-year period which begins on the date of the individuals death.

(b) Exceptions
Subsection (a) of this section does not apply with respect to

(1) the statue obtained and placed in National Statuary Hall under this Act; or

(2) any statue provided and furnished by a State under section 2131 of this title or any replacement statue provided by a State under section 2132 of this title.

2 USC 2132 - Replacement of statue in Statuary Hall

(a) Request by State

(1) Any State may request the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve the replacement of a statue the State has provided for display in Statuary Hall in the Capitol of the United States under section 2131 of this title.

(2) A request shall be considered under paragraph (1) only if

(A) the request has been approved by a resolution adopted by the legislature of the State and the request has been approved by the Governor of the State, and

(B) the statue to be replaced has been displayed in the Capitol of the United States for at least 10 years as of the time the request is made, except that the Joint Committee may waive this requirement for cause at the request of a State.

(b) Agreement upon approval
If the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress approves a request under subsection (a) of this section, the Architect of the Capitol shall enter into an agreement with the State to carry out the replacement in accordance with the request and any conditions the Joint Committee may require for its approval. Such agreement shall provide that

(1) the new statue shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as apply to any statue provided by a State under section 2131 of this title, and

(2) the State shall pay any costs related to the replacement, including costs in connection with the design, construction, transportation, and placement of the new statue, the removal and transportation of the statue being replaced, and any unveiling ceremony.

(c) Limitation on number of State statues
Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to permit a State to have more than two statues on display in the Capitol of the United States.

(d) Ownership of replaced statue; removal

(1) Subject to the approval of the Joint Committee on the Library, ownership of any statue replaced under this section shall be transferred to the State.

(2) If any statue is removed from the Capitol of the United States as part of a transfer of ownership under paragraph (1), then it may not be returned to the Capitol for display unless such display is specifically authorized by Federal law.

(e) Relocation of statues
The Architect of the Capitol, upon the approval of the Joint Committee on the Library and with the advice of the Commission of Fine Arts as requested, is authorized and directed to relocate within the United States Capitol any of the statues received from the States under section 2131 of this title prior to December 21, 2000, and to provide for the reception, location, and relocation of the statues received on and after December 21, 2000, from the States under such section.

2 USC 2133 - Acceptance and supervision of works of fine arts

The Joint Committee on the Library, whenever, in their judgment, it is expedient, are authorized to accept any work of the fine arts, on behalf of Congress, which may be offered, and to assign the same such place in the Capitol as they may deem suitable, and shall have the supervision of all works of art that may be placed in the Capitol.

2 USC 2134 - Art exhibits

No work of art or manufacture other than the property of the United States shall be exhibited in the National Statuary Hall, the Rotunda, Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center, or the corridors of the Capitol.

2 USC 2135 - Private studios and works of art

No room in the Capitol shall be used for private studios or works of art, without permission from the Joint Committee on the Library, given in writing; and it shall be the duty of the Architect of the Capitol to carry this provision into effect.