Overview
Title
An Act To provide a one-time grant for the operation, security, and maintenance of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center to commemorate the events, and honor the victims, of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill H. R. 835 wants to give a special amount of money, between $5 million and $10 million, just once, to help keep the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center running safely and let more people visit for free. To get the money, the museum has to do things like showing how they spend it and letting people check their work to make sure everything is fair.
Summary AI
H. R. 835 aims to provide a one-time grant to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center for its operation, security, and maintenance. The grant, ranging between $5 million and $10 million, will help ensure visitor safety and preserve the site while increasing access for economically disadvantaged visitors. To receive the grant, the museum must offer various free admission opportunities, allow for annual federal audits, and report on the use of the funds each fiscal year. The grant is contingent upon existing appropriations, and no new funds are authorized for this purpose.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
The proposed legislation, titled the "9/11 Memorial and Museum Act," seeks to provide a one-time financial grant to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum situated at the World Trade Center. This grant, ranging from $5 million to $10 million, is primarily intended for the museum's operation, security, and maintenance. The act also aims to commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and honor the victims.
General Summary of the Bill
The bill establishes a framework for awarding a one-time grant to an organization, namely the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. It aims to ensure the museum's continued operation and upkeep as a national symbol of remembrance and respect for the victims and events of 9/11. The bill outlines specific criteria and processes for obtaining this grant, including requirements for free admission to certain groups and financial transparency measures.
Summary of Significant Issues
A critical issue with the bill is its narrow definition of the "eligible entity," which may unfairly advantage the current operators of the museum over other potentially capable organizations. This could stifle competition and innovation in managing the site.
Additionally, the grant amount, determined under the discretion of the Secretary of Homeland Security, raises concerns about potential misuse or inefficient use of funds, due to a broad range between $5 million to $10 million. The criteria used to determine the grant's amount are somewhat subjective, inviting concerns about impartiality and potential bias.
Moreover, the bill imposes a strict deadline of 90 days for grant award decisions, potentially leading to operational challenges if circumstances require more extended deliberation. The requirement for the eligible entity to submit detailed annual reports on how funds are used might also lead to significant administrative demands.
Impact on the Public
The bill could broadly impact the public by helping secure the future of a national historic site that serves as a reminder of a pivotal moment in U.S. history. By maintaining the museum, future generations can continue to learn about and reflect on the events of 9/11. However, concerns about fund allocation and potential favoritism in awarding the grant might diminish public trust in government processes.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For stakeholders directly associated with the memorial, like the victims' families, first responders, and military personnel, the bill offers significant benefits, including permanent free access to the museum. This acknowledges their sacrifice and serves as a continuous tribute to their involved role in the aftermath of the attacks.
On the other hand, potential operators of the museum who are not currently in charge might view the bill's narrowly defined eligibility criteria as exclusionary, limiting their opportunity to contribute to the museum's operations.
In conclusion, while the bill sets forth noble goals aligned with honoring the victims of September 11, 2001, it raises valid concerns that necessitate careful consideration to ensure fair implementation and optimal usage of grant funds. The public and specific stakeholders might both benefit and experience limitations due to the parameters established within the proposed law.
Financial Assessment
The proposed legislation, H. R. 835, outlines a financial initiative to support the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center. A one-time grant, with a value established by the Secretary of Homeland Security, is set to be provided in an amount not less than $5,000,000 and not more than $10,000,000. This grant is intended for the essential operation, security, and maintenance of the memorial and museum.
Spending and Financial Allocations
The financial provision under this Act specifies a one-time grant for a prescribed purpose, ensuring that the funds are allocated efficiently to maintain and secure the memorial site. The grant aims to enhance public accessibility, particularly for economically disadvantaged individuals. This intention to increase access is further supported by conditions tied to the grant that require free admission opportunities.
Relation to Identified Issues
Potential for Wasteful Spending: One of the issues raised is the potential for wasteful spending due to the broad range of the grant amount ($5,000,000 to $10,000,000) and the discretionary power given to the Secretary to determine the exact amount. This introduces the risk of financial mismanagement without sufficient oversight measures.
Narrow Definition of Eligible Entity: The bill defines the eligible entity for this grant rather narrowly, which could limit opportunities for other capable organizations to manage or use the museum effectively. This can potentially affect financial competitiveness and innovation in maintaining the site.
Grant Application Ambiguity: The language in the grant application process is vague, granting the Secretary substantial latitude to decide on necessary criteria and information. Such open-endedness might introduce bias or complexity, leading to potential inequities in financial allocation.
Criteria for Grant Awards: The criteria outlined to determine the grant amount are broad and subjective. This could result in bias or favoritism towards certain expenditures related to the eligible entity, complicating the equitable distribution of the grant funds.
Financial Administration Burdens: The conditions attached to the grant necessitate detailed reporting, which could impose an administrative burden on the eligible entity. This requirement could redirect financial resources and personnel time away from the operational focus of the museum.
Dependence on Existing Appropriations: The legislation explicitly states that no additional funds are authorized, meaning that the success of this grant is contingent upon existing appropriations. This prerequisite might lead to funding shortages that could negatively impact the museum’s financial stability and planned operations if advance appropriations are not secured.
Overall, the financial structure of H. R. 835 intends to uphold the mission of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum but raises several issues regarding the scope, transparency, and management of the funds. These concerns highlight the importance of effective financial oversight and equitable grant distribution to avoid potential inefficiencies or misallocations.
Issues
The definition of 'eligible entity' in Section 2 is narrowly defined, potentially favoring a specific organization that operates the museum and excluding others that might also manage it effectively. This could limit competition and innovation among prospective operators.
The absence of oversight or accountability measures in Section 2 for how funds are used to commemorate and honor the victims presents a risk of misallocation of resources, as the definitions do not ensure transparency in funding usage.
The grant amount, as discussed in Section 3(c), between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000, can lead to wasteful spending without proper justification or optimization, particularly since the exact amount is determined by the Secretary.
The inflexibility of the funding award deadline in Section 3(e) ("not later than 90 days") could cause issues if unforeseen circumstances delay the grant process, thereby affecting the timely execution of memorial operations.
The lack of specificity in the grant application process in Section 3(d) introduces complexity and potential bias, since it states "in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require." This vague language could be perceived as overly open-ended.
Criteria in Section 3(f) for determining grant amount are broad and subjective, potentially introducing bias or favoritism in decision-making concerning the amount allocated to the eligible entity.
The conditions for free admission specified in Section 3(g) could be perceived as favoring specific groups, such as active and retired military personnel and registered first responders, potentially alienating other potential stakeholders or demographic groups.
The requirement for the eligible entity to provide detailed reports in Section 3(h) could impose significant administrative burdens, particularly if the data requirements are extensive, affecting the efficient use of the grant funds.
The statement in Section 3(i) that no additional funds are authorized may lead to funding shortages if appropriations are not made in advance, affecting properly planned operations and maintenance of the memorial and museum.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
This section states that the official title of the act is the "9/11 Memorial and Museum Act."
2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides definitions for terms used in the act. It explains that the “National September 11 Memorial & Museum” refers to the specific site established to honor the September 11, 2001, attacks, the “eligible entity” is the organization operating the museum and exempt from taxes, and the “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
3. One-time grant for National September 11 Memorial & Museum Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In this section, a rule is established for giving a one-time grant between $5 million and $10 million to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The grant is intended for the operation, security, and maintenance of the museum, with requirements for the museum to offer free admission to certain groups and undergo financial audits. The available funds are limited to what has already been set aside for this purpose, and annual reports on grant spending are required.
Money References
- (c) Grant amount.—The one-time grant under this section may not be for less than $5,000,000 or more than $10,000,000.