[Senate Report 115-144]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 201
115th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 115-144
======================================================================
JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017
_______
August 3, 2017.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Barrasso, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 1359]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was
referred the bill (S. 1359) to amend the John F. Kennedy Center
Act to authorize appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center
for the Performing Arts, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon without
amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.
General Statement and Background
In 1958, President Eisenhower signed the National Cultural
Center Act (Pub. L. 85-874) into law, which established the
National Cultural Center. In 1968, a bill (Pub. L. 88-260) was
enacted to rename the performing arts center as the John F.
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Kennedy Center), which
established the center as a living memorial in honor of the
late president. The Kennedy Center has been reauthorized on a
regular basis.
The Kennedy Center was designed by Edward Durrell Stone. In
1965, President Lyndon Johnson broke ground on a site located
along the banks of the Potomac River. In 1971, the building
opened to its first visitors. Today, the Kennedy Center is the
nation's busiest performing arts center. Each year, it hosts
approximately 3,000 events and receives over 2 million
visitors.
The Kennedy Center's authorizing statute requires that
designated Members of Congress provide full and appropriate
oversight over the federal funding it receives. Designated
Members of Congress include: the Speaker and Minority Leader of
the House; the leadership of the Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee, which is the Kennedy Center's
authorizing committee in the House; three additional members
appointed by House leadership; the Senate Majority and Minority
Leaders; the leadership of the Environment and Public Works
Committee, which is the Kennedy Center's authorizing committee
in the Senate; and three additional members appointed by Senate
leadership. These members are briefed on an ongoing basis
regarding federal appropriations to ensure both transparency
and accountability.
The Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees (Board) raises
private funds on an ongoing, annual basis to support a full
range of programming in the fields of the performing arts,
consistent with the congressionally-proscribed mandate. The
Board is prudent with federal funds and, in an effort to
respect federal budget limitations, embarked on a capital
campaign to create a much-needed expansion of the building that
includes education classrooms and additional public access to
programming. This expansion, solely funded with private
dollars, was authorized by Congress in the 2012 reauthorization
of the Kennedy Center in order to ensure full collaboration
with Congress in the Kennedy Center's efforts to fulfill and
sustain its statutory mandate.
Consistent with federal austerity measures, the Kennedy
Center has adapted to across-the-board reductions in federal
funding it receives, and has become even more cost conscious as
it budgets for necessary expenditures relating to its
expansion. Reductions in federal funding are challenging
because this funding supports fixed costs for electricity,
security, and other expenses that are expected to rise with the
cost of living in the coming years. Federal funding may not be
used for performing arts attractions, personnel, or
administration, including production, fundraising, marketing,
and ticket sales.
Objectives of the Legislation
The John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2017
authorizes appropriations for maintenance, repair, security,
and capital projects at the Kennedy Center for each of fiscal
years 2018 through 2021. This includes inflationary increases
for maintenance, repair, and security necessary to maintain the
new expansion project, which was solely funded with private
dollars and authorized by Congress in 2012.
The John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2017 also
recognizes the year 2018 as the 60th anniversary of the
National Cultural Center Act signed into law by President
Eisenhower on September 4, 1958. The bill establishes the sense
of the Congress that the 50th anniversary of the opening of the
Kennedy Center should be recognized, and displays and
commemorative programs regarding the anniversary should be
allowed.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the ``John F. Kennedy Center
Reauthorization Act of 2017.''
Section 2. Authorization of appropriations
This section authorizes $24 million for fiscal year 2018,
$25 million for each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020, and $26
million for fiscal year 2021 for maintenance, repair, and
security. This section also authorizes $13 million for each of
fiscal years 2018 and 2019, and $14 million for each of fiscal
years 2020 and 2021 for capital projects.
Section 3. Authorization for plaque
This section establishes a sense of Congress that the
Kennedy Center should recognize the year 2018 as the 60th
anniversary of the signing of the National Cultural Center Act
(now known as the John F. Kennedy Center Act), signed into law
by President Eisenhower on September 2, 1958. This section
establishes the sense of Congress that the Kennedy Center
should establish commemorative displays honoring President
Eisenhower and the history of the National Cultural Center Act.
This section also requires the Kennedy Center to create a
plaque commemorating the 60th anniversary of the signing of the
National Cultural Center Act by President Eisenhower. It
requires that the plaque be placed at an appropriate location
determined by the Board within the Kennedy Center approximate
to the Eisenhower Theater. This section prohibits federal funds
from being used to design, procure, or install the plaque. It
requires that the Kennedy Center solicit and accept private
contributions for the design, procurement and installation of
the plaque.
Section 4. Commemoration of the John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts
This section establishes a sense of Congress that the
Kennedy Center should recognize the year 2021 as the 50th
anniversary of the opening of the Kennedy Center, and that the
Kennedy Center should appropriately acknowledge and commemorate
the Kennedy Center as a national center for the performing arts
and as a national memorial to President John F. Kennedy. This
section authorizes the Kennedy Center to create displays and
programs that memorialize the opening of the Kennedy Center.
Legislative History
On June 14, 2017, Senators Barrasso, Carper, Capito and
Cardin introduced S. 1359, a bill to reauthorize the John F.
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and for other purposes.
The bill was referred to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works. On July 12, 2017, the Committee ordered S. 1359
to be reported favorably.
Previously, the Kennedy Center received a one-year
authorization for fiscal year 2017, which was included in the
omnibus appropriations bill for that fiscal year. S. 1359
authorizes appropriations for each of fiscal years 2018 through
2021.
Hearings
No hearings were held on S. 1359.
Rollcall Votes
On July 12, 2017, the Committee on Environment and Public
Works met to consider S. 1359. The Committee ordered the bill
to be reported favorably by voice vote.
Regulatory Impact Statement
In compliance with section 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee finds that S. 1359
does not create any additional regulatory burdens, nor will it
cause any adverse impact on the personal privacy of
individuals.
Mandates Assessment
In compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(Public Law 104-4), the Committee notes that the Congressional
Budget Office found that S. 1359 contains no intergovernmental
or private-sector mandates as defined in the UMRA and would
impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
Cost of Legislation
Section 403 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act requires that a statement of the cost of the
reported bill, prepared by the Congressional Budget Office, be
included in the report, if available. That statement follows:
July 28, 2017.
Hon. John Barrasso,
Chairman, Committee on Environment and Public Works,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 1359, the John F.
Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2017.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Christina
Hawley Anthony.
Sincerely,
Keith Hall.
Enclosure.
S. 1359--John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2017
Summary: S. 1359 would amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act
to authorize additional appropriations for maintenance, repair,
and security of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing
Arts, as well as for capital projects for the center. Assuming
appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates that
implementing S. 1359 would cost $146 million over the 2018-2022
period. The bill also would authorize the center to design and
display a commemorative plaque recognizing the year 2018 as the
60th anniversary of the National Cultural Center Act, to be
funded by private donors.
Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. CBO
estimates that enacting the bill would not increase net direct
spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive
10-year periods beginning in 2028.
S. 1359 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal
governments.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary effects of S. 1359 are shown in the following table.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 500
(education, employment, training, and social services).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
-------------------------------------------------------
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2018-2022
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INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
John F. Kennedy Center Maintenance, Repair, and
Security:
Authorization Level................................. 24 25 25 26 0 100
Estimated Outlays................................... 20 25 25 26 4 100
John F. Kennedy Center Capital Projects:
Authorization Level................................. 13 13 14 14 0 54
Estimated Outlays................................... 5 8 11 13 9 46
Total Changes:
Authorization Level............................. 37 38 39 40 0 154
Estimated Outlays............................... 25 33 36 39 13 146
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Basis of estimate: S. 1359 would authorize appropriations
totaling $154 million for the maintenance, repair, and security
of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as well
as for capital projects for the Center. Those activities were
previously authorized through fiscal year 2014. Appropriations
for such activities totaled $36 million for fiscal year 2017.
For this estimate, CBO assumes that S. 1359 will be enacted
late in 2017 and that the specified amounts will be
appropriated for each year. The estimated outlays reflect
historical spending patterns for the affected programs.
Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None.
Increase in long-term net direct spending and deficits: CBO
estimates that enacting S. 1359 would not affect net direct
spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive
10-year periods beginning in 2028.
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 1359
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, or
tribal governments.
Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Christina Hawley
Anthony; Impact on state, local, and tribal governments: Zach
Byrum; Impact on the private sector: Logan Smith.
Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo, Assistant Director for
Budget Analysis.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with section 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing
Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill
as reported are shown as follows: Existing law proposed to be
omitted is enclosed in [black brackets], new matter is printed
in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown
in roman:
* * * * * * *
JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER ACT
* * * * * * *
SEC. 13. [20 U.S.C. 76R] AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
[(a) Maintenance, Repair, and Security.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Board to carry out section
4(a)(1)(H)--
[(1) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
[(2) $14,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2000 and
2001; and
[(3) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 and
2003.
[(b) Capital Projects.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Board to carry out subparagraphs (F) and
(G) of section 4(a)(1)--
[(1) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999, 2000,
and 2001;
[(2) $19,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
[(3) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.]
(a) Maintenance, Repair, and Security.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Board to carry out section
4(a)(1)(H)--
(1) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;
(2) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;
(3) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and
(4) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.
(b) Capital Projects.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Board to carry out subparagraphs (F) and
(G) of section 4(a)(1)--
(1) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;
(2) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;
(3) $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and
(4) $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.
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[all]