Title 20EducationRelease 119-73

§79b Functions of Smithsonian Institution

Title 20 › Chapter CHAPTER 3— - SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, NATIONAL MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IX— - CANAL ZONE BIOLOGICAL AREA › § 79b

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Smithsonian must set rules for studies in the area. It must provide labs and facilities for authorized students. Donations must be deposited in the U.S. Treasury. The Smithsonian may charge fees and spend donated funds, but money given for a specific purpose must be used only for that purpose. Each year it must report its activities during the preceding year to Congress.

Full Legal Text

Title 20, §79b

Education — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The Smithsonian Institution shall (a) determine the policy, prescribe conditions under which studies may be pursued within the area, and promulgate regulations for carrying out the purposes of this subchapter; (b) be responsible for the construction and maintenance of laboratory and other facilities on the area provided for the use of students authorized to carry on studies within the confines of the area; (c) deposit into the Treasury of the United States sums donated or subscribed or collected to be expended for carrying out the purposes of this subchapter; (d) in its discretion, fixed 11 So in original. Probably should be “fix”. charges that may be made for use of laboratory or other facilities provided students authorized to make observations and investigations within the prescribed area and provide for the collection of such sums for deposit into the Treasury of the United States; (e) make such disposal of any moneys donated, subscribed, collected, or otherwise provided as in its judgment is to the best interest in carrying out the purpose of this subchapter: Provided, That sums contributed or appropriated for specific purposes shall be used for such purpose only; and (f) include in its annual report of its operations to Congress a statement of activities and operations during the preceding year.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was formerly classified to section 1384 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

Amendments

1965—Pub. L. 89–280 substituted provisions in cl. (f) requiring the Smithsonian Institution to include in its annual report of its operations to Congress a statement of activities and operations during the preceding year for provisions which required the Smithsonian Institution to submit to the Congress of the United States not later than the 15th day of each January a report of activities and operations during the preceding year.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

“Smithsonian Institution” substituted in text for “Board of Directors of the Canal Zone Biological Area” and former clause (a) which provided for annual meetings of Board was superseded by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

20 U.S.C. § 79b

Title 20Education

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73