Title 20 — EducationRelease 119-73
§47 Acting Secretary
Title 20 › Chapter CHAPTER 3— - SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, NATIONAL MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - CHARTER PROVISIONS › § 47
Summary
The Smithsonian's chancellor may name someone in writing to act as Secretary when the post is vacant or the Secretary cannot serve, and that person may perform all duties until a replacement is appointed or the Secretary returns; the chancellor may change it.
Full Legal Text
Title 20, §47
Education — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The chancellor of the Smithsonian Institution may, by an instrument in writing filed in the office of the Secretary thereof, designate and appoint a suitable person to act as Secretary of the Institution when there shall be a vacancy in said office, and whenever the Secretary shall be unable from illness, absence, or other cause to perform the duties of his office; and in such case the person so appointed may perform all the duties imposed on the Secretary by law until the vacancy shall be filled or such inability shall cease. The said chancellor may change such designation and appointment from time to time as the interests of the Institution may in his judgment require.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Similar
Prior Provisions
were contained in act Jan. 24, 1879, ch. 21, 20 Stat. 264.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
20 U.S.C. § 47
Title 20 — Education
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73