No Wasted Space Act

There is established the Commission to Study Potential Uses of the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall (hereafter in this Act referred to as the Commission).

The Commission shall be composed of 9 members, of whom—

(1) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;

(2) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(3) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;

(4) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; and

(5) 1 voting member, who may not be a sitting member of the House of Representatives, Senate, or Supreme Court, shall be appointed by the Chair of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

Members of the Commission shall be appointed to the Commission from among individuals, or representatives of institutions or entities, who possess experience and familiarity with professional museum associations, tourism for families, urban planning, and educational institutions in the Washington, DC area.

The initial members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than the date that is 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

A vacancy in the Commission—

(1) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and

(2) shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.

The Commission shall, by majority vote of all of the voting members, select 1 member of the Commission to serve as the Chairperson of the Commission.

No employee of the Federal Government may serve as a member of the Commission.

Not later than 1 year after the date of the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the President and to Congress the report, plan, and recommendations described in subsections (b) through (d).

The Commission shall prepare a report that addresses the following issues relating to the potential uses of the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall, and its environs (hereafter in this Act referred to as the Building):

(1) Educational institutions currently serving families visiting Washington, DC with high levels of success.

(2) Museums and other cultural institutions not currently located near the National Mall.

(3) Washington, DC based museums not currently housed in Smithsonian buildings.

(4) Tenants in Federally owned buildings impacted by Federal office relocations.

(5) The cost of converting the Smithsonian Institution’s Arts and Industries Building into a modern museum.

The Commission shall prepare a fund-raising plan that addresses the following topics:

(1) The ability to support the operation and maintenance of the Building through contributions from the public, including potential charges for admission.

(2) Any potential issues with funding the operations and maintenance of the Building in perpetuity without reliance on appropriations of Federal funds.

The Commission shall prepare a report containing recommendations regarding a legislative plan for the operations and maintenance of the Building, which shall include each of the following:

(1) Proposals regarding the time frame, one-time appropriations level, and continuing appropriations levels that might be included in such legislation.

(2) Recommendations for the future name of the Building.

A member of the Commission—

(A) shall not be considered to be a Federal employee for any purpose by reason of service on the Commission; and

(B) shall serve without pay.

A member of the Commission shall be allowed a per diem allowance for travel expenses, at rates consistent with those authorized under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.

The Commission may solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of money, services, or real or personal property for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Commission. Such gifts, bequests, or devises may be from the Building.

The Commission shall terminate on the date that is 30 days after the date on which the final versions of the report, plan, and recommendations required under section 3 are submitted.

The Commission shall be solely responsible for acceptance of contributions for, and payment of the expenses of, the Commission.

The Commission may employ and compensate an executive director and any other additional personnel that are necessary to enable the Commission to perform the duties of the Commission.

Rates of pay for persons employed under subparagraph (A) shall be consistent with the rates of pay allowed for employees of a temporary organization under section 3161 of title 5, United States Code.

Any individual employed under this subsection shall not be considered a Federal employee for the purpose of any law governing Federal employment.

Subject to subparagraph (B), on request of the Commission, the head of a Federal agency shall provide technical assistance to the Commission.

No Federal employees may be detailed to the Commission.

Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission may accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services as the Commission determines necessary.

Upon request of the Commission, the Administrator of the General Services Administration shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act. The involvement of the General Services Administration shall be limited to providing administrative support to the Commission, and such involvement shall terminate upon termination of the Commission.

The Commission may meet virtually or in person.

The Commission may begin to meet and carry out activities under this Act before all members of the Commission have been appointed if—

(1) 90 days have passed since the date of the enactment of this Act; and

(2) a majority of the members of the Commission have been appointed.