20 U.S.C. § 80q–10 — Special committee to review inventory, identification, and return of Indian human remains and Indian funerary objects

(a) Establishment and duties: Within 120 days of November 28, 1989, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution had to appoint a special committee. This committee monitors and reviews the inventory, identification, and return of Indian human remains and Indian funerary objects under section 80q–9, and of unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony under section 80q–9a. The committee must: (1) make sure the inventory and identification process fairly and objectively considers all relevant evidence; (2) review any finding about where remains or objects came from, or about returning them, whenever an affected party asks or on its own; (3) help resolve disputes between Indian tribes about returning remains or objects; and (4) do any other related work the Secretary assigns. (b) Membership: The committee has 7 members. (1) Four are appointed from nominations submitted by Indian tribes and organizations. (2) At least two must be traditional Indian religious leaders. (3) The Secretary names one member as chairman. The Secretary cannot appoint anyone who works for the government (including the Smithsonian) or who is otherwise connected to the Smithsonian. (c) Access: The Secretary must make sure committee members have full, free access to the Indian human remains and funerary objects covered by section 80q–9, and to related evidence, including scientific and historical records. (d) Pay and expenses: (1) Members are paid the daily rate equal to the annual pay for GS–18 employees. (2) They also get per diem, travel, and transportation expenses, the same as government employees who work intermittently, for each day (including travel days) they spend on committee duties. (e) Rules and support: The Secretary must write regulations and provide administrative support for the committee. (f) Report and end date: When the committee finishes its work, the Secretary must certify that by reporting to Congress. The committee stops existing 120 days after that report is submitted. (g) Chapter 10 of title 5 does not apply to the committee. (h) Appropriations: Congress authorized $250,000 for fiscal year 1991 and whatever sums are needed for later years to carry out this section.