§80t–5 Building

Summary

The Board of Regents must pick a site for the Museum no later than 2 years after December 27, 2020. The site must be in the District of Columbia. The Board must at least consider the South Monument site on the National Mall and the Northwest United States Capitol site. When choosing, the Board must look at cost estimates, how suitable the space is (size, nearby buildings, transport, and other conditions), and the Congressional Commission’s recommendations. The Board must talk with key local planning and design officials, the Architect of the Capitol, the Chair of the Congressional Commission, and the chair and ranking member of seven named congressional committees (Senate Rules and Administration; House Administration; Senate Energy and Natural Resources; House Natural Resources; House Transportation and Infrastructure; House Appropriations; and Senate Appropriations). Congress intends the Museum be located on or near the National Mall whenever possible. The Board may not pick land or a building controlled by another federal agency unless that agency head sends written notice to the listed committees saying they agree. After Congress gets that notice, the agency head must transfer administrative control to the Smithsonian as soon as practicable. The Board, working with the museum’s council, may plan, design, and build the Museum at the chosen site. Federal construction rules in chapter 89 of title 40 do not apply, but the Museum may not be placed in the Reserve (as defined in section 8902(a) of title 40). The Board must pay 50 percent of the costs from Federal funds and 50 percent from non‑Federal sources.