Commission To Study the Potential of a National Museum of Italian American History and Culture Act

This bill sets up a temporary, eight-member commission to study whether the nation should create a Museum of Italian American History and Culture in Washington, DC. The commission must look at what collections the museum would need, possible locations, costs to build and run it, how it might fit with the Smithsonian, and how to involve Italian American communities. It must report its findings to the President and Congress within 18 months of its first meeting, and can also suggest next steps for legislation. After it finishes its reports, the commission ends 30 days later .

The commission members serve without pay, can be reimbursed for travel, and are not federal employees. It may raise private funds and accept gifts to cover its work, and no federal funds can be used. It can hire staff to help with the study and may hold a national conference to gather ideas .

• Who is affected: Italian American communities, museum professionals, donors, and existing Italian American museums that could be impacted by a new national museum.
• What changes: Creates a study commission with eight appointed members; requires reports on location, costs, collections, governance, and possible Smithsonian partnership; allows private fundraising only .
• When: Members must be named within 90 days of the law taking effect; reports are due within 18 months of the first meeting; the commission ends 30 days after submitting its final reports .