PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

Within 120 days after November 28, 1989, the Secretary of the Smithsonian must create a special committee to watch over and review the inventory, identification, and return of Native American human remains and funerary, sacred, and cultural patrimony objects. The committee must make sure evidence is handled fairly, review any findings about where remains or objects came from or whether they should be returned, help settle disputes between tribes over returns, and carry out other related tasks the Secretary gives it. The group will have 7 members: 4 chosen from nominations by tribes or tribal organizations, at least 2 who are traditional Native American religious leaders, and one member named chair by the Secretary. Members must have full access to the remains, objects, and related scientific and historical records. Members are paid at the daily rate equal to the GS‑18 pay grade and get travel and per diem expenses. The Secretary must set rules and give admin help. When the work ends, the Secretary must send a report to Congress and the committee ends 120 days after that report. Some federal civil‑service rules do not apply to the committee. Congress is authorized to provide $250,000 for fiscal year 1991 and whatever money is needed in later years.

Title 20, §80q–10

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(a)Not later than 120 days after November 28, 1989, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution shall appoint a special committee to monitor and review the inventory, identification, and return of Indian human remains and Indian funerary objects under section 80q–9 of this title and unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony under section 80q–9a of this title. In carrying out its duties, the committee shall—

(1)with respect to the inventory and identification, ensure fair and objective consideration and assessment of all relevant evidence;

(2)upon the request of any affected party or otherwise, review any finding relating to the origin or the return of such remains or objects;

(3)facilitate the resolution of any dispute that may arise between Indian tribes with respect to the return of such remains or objects; and

(4)perform such other related functions as the Secretary may assign.

(b)The committee shall consist of 7 members, of whom—

(1)4 members shall be appointed from among nominations submitted by Indian tribes and organizations;

(2)at least 2 members shall be traditional Indian religious leaders; and

(3)the Secretary shall designate one member as chairman.

(c)The Secretary shall ensure that the members of the committee have full and free access to the Indian human remains and Indian funerary objects subject to section 80q–9 of this title and to any related evidence, including scientific and historical documents.

(d)Members of the committee shall—

(1)be paid the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay payable for grade GS–18 of the General schedule under section 5332 of title 5; and

(2)be entitled (to the same extent as provided in section 5703 of such title, with respect to employees serving intermittently in the Government service) to per diem, travel, and transportation expenses;

(e)The Secretary shall prescribe regulations and provide administrative support for the committee.

(f)At the conclusion of the work of the committee, the Secretary shall be so 11 So in original. Probably should be “shall so”. certify by report to the Congress. The committee shall cease to exist 120 days after the submission of the report.

(g)Chapter 10 of title 5 shall not apply to the committee.

(h)There is authorized to be appropriated $250,000 for fiscal year 1991 and such sums as may be necessary for succeeding fiscal years to carry out this section.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted “chapter 10 of title 5” for “the Federal Advisory Committee Act” in heading and “Chapter 10 of title 5” for “The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)” in text. 1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–278, § 5(1), in first sentence, inserted “and unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony under section 80q–9a of this title” before period. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–278, § 5(2)(A), substituted “7 members” for “five members” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 104–278, § 5(2)(B), substituted “4 members” for “three members” and struck out “and” at end. Subsec. (b)(2), (3). Pub. L. 104–278, § 5(2)(C), (D), added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay RatesReferences in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, § 101(c)(1)] of Pub. L. 101–509, set out in a note under section 5376 of Title 5.

§80q–10 Special Committee to Review Inventory, Identification, and Return of Indian Human Remains and Indian Funerary Objects