Advisory council

(a) Establishment There is established within the Department of the Interior an advisory council to be known as the African Burial Ground Advisory Council. (b) Membership (1) Composition The Advisory Council shall be composed of the following members or their designees: (A) The Secretary, who shall serve as Chairperson of the Advisory Council. (B) The Director of the National Park Service. (C) The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. (D) The Administrator. (E) The Governor of the State. (F) The Mayor of the City. (G) The President of the Borough of Manhattan. (H) Fourteen members, to be appointed by the Secretary, taking into consideration— (i) recommendations from organizations and entities that are committed to the legacy of the African Burial Ground, such as the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation; and (ii) recommendations from the members of the Advisory Council. (2) Nonvoting members The Secretary may appoint as nonvoting members of the Advisory Council— (A) members of the United States Senate; (B) members of the House of Representatives; (C) officials representing the City; (D) officials representing the State; and (E) any other individuals that the Secretary, in consultation with the members of the Advisory Council, determines to be appropriate. (3) Date of appointments The initial appointment of a member under paragraph (1) shall be made not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Terms (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), each member of the Advisory Council shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. (2) Initial appointees Of the members first appointed under subsection (b)(1)(H)— (A) 5 members shall be appointed for a term of 1 year; (B) 5 members shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and (C) 4 members shall be appointed for a terms of 3 years. (3) Reappointment (A) In general A member of the Advisory Council may be reappointed, except that no individual may serve on the Advisory Council for a total of more than 2 terms. (B) Vacancy appointments For purposes of subparagraph (A), the number of terms an individual serves on the Advisory Council shall not include any portion of a term for which an individual is appointed to fill a vacancy under paragraph (4)(B). (4) Vacancies (A) In general A vacancy on the Advisory Council— (i) shall not affect the powers of the Advisory Council; and (ii) shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made. (B) Term Any member of the Advisory Council appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of that term. (d) Duties The Advisory Council shall— (1) make recommendations to the Secretary on the planning, design, and construction of the Museum; (2) advise and assist the Secretary on all matters relating to the administration, operation, maintenance, and preservation of the Museum; (3) provide significant opportunities for public input with respect to carrying out the duties under paragraphs (1) and (2); and (4) adopt bylaws for the operation of the Advisory Council. (e) Compensation (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), a member of the Advisory Council shall serve without compensation. (2) Travel expenses A member of the Council shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from the home or regular place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the Advisory Council. (f) Meetings (1) In general The Advisory Council shall meet at the call of the chairperson or on the written request of a majority of the members of the Advisory Council, but not fewer than 2 times each year. (2) Initial meetings During the 1-year period beginning on the date of the first meeting of the Advisory Council, the Advisory Council shall meet not fewer than 4 times for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Advisory Council. (g) Quorum A majority of the members of the Advisory Council shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business, but a lesser number may receive information on behalf of the Advisory Council.