H.R. 2989 would establish a commission to plan programs and activities to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ birth. The commission would consist of 16 members. Members would serve without pay but would be reimbursed for travel expenses. The legislation would authorize the commission to hold hearings, hire staff, and collect information from federal agencies. Under the bill, the commission could retain and spend gifts. The commission would submit a final report to the Congress on June 1, 2019, and terminate 30 days later.
Based on the cost of similar commissions, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost about $2 million over the 2018-2022 period; assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts.
Enacting H.R. 2989 would affect direct spending because it would authorize the commission to accept and spend monetary gifts; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. However, CBO estimates that the net effect on direct spending would be negligible. Enacting the bill would not affect revenues.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 2989 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
H.R. 2989 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
