,,ii  #aacth ,,congress  #b;d ,session  
,s4 #beij  ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of     
,,the ,,united ,,states  ,july #aj1     
#bjad ,mr4 ,tester 7for himself and ,mr4
 ,walsh7 introduced the following bill2 
which was read twice and referred to the
 ,committee on ,energy and ,natural     
,resources  ,a ,,bill  ,to advance the  
purposes of the ,lewis and ,clark       
,national ,historic ,trail ,interpretive
 ,center1 and for other purposes4  #a4  
,short title  ,this ,act may be cited as
 the ,lewis and ,clark ,national        
,historic ,trail ,interpretive ,center  
,act of #bjad4  #b4 ,purposes ,the      
purposes of this ,act are-- 7#a7 to     
provide for a pilot program of          
public-private partnership regarding the
 operation of the ,lewis and ,clark     
,national ,historic ,trail ,interpretive
 ,center2  7#b7 to promote the use and  
development of the ,interpretive ,center
 by the ,lewis  ,clark ,foundation1 in  
support of the purposes of ,public ,law 
#ajj-eeb 7#ajb ,stat4 #bgff72  7#c7 to  

allow and promote use of the            
,interpretive ,center1 with the goal of 
achieving financial self-sustainability2
 and  7#d7 to authorize the ,secretary  
of ,agriculture to participate and      
cooperate in the operation of the       
,interpretive ,center as necessary or   
desirable to promote-- 7,a7 the         
conservation and management of ,united  
,states public land2  7,b7 the use1     
understanding1 and enjoyment of-- 7i7   
the ,interpretive ,center2 and  7ii7    
natural resources and natural history2  
and  7,c7 interpretation of the         
historical events associated with-- 7i7 
the ,lewis and ,clark ,expedition2  7ii7
 ,native ,americans2 and  7iii7 the     
,american ,west4  #c4 ,definitions ,in  
this ,act3 7#a7 ,foundation ,the term   
,foundation means the ,lewis  ,clark    
,foundation1 a nonprofit corporation    
existing under the laws of the ,state   
7or any successor in interest to that   
foundation74  7#b7 ,grant ,deed ,the    
term ,grant ,deed means the instrument  

that-- 7,a7 conveys to the ,united      
,states from the ,montana ,department of
 ,fish1 ,wildlife and ,parks a parcel of
 land comprising #bg4bi acres1 as       
depicted on the ,map and located in     
,cascade ,county1 ,montana2  7,b7       
comprises #h pages recorded in the land 
records of ,cascade ,county as document 
numbered ,r#jjdjehi2 and  7,c7 is dated 
,june #f1 #bjjb4  7#c7 ,interpretive    
,center  7,a7 ,in general ,the term     
,interpretive ,center means the ,lewis  
and ,clark ,national ,historic ,trail   
,interpretive ,center1 located in ,great
 ,falls1 ,montana4  7,b7 ,inclusions    
,the term ,interpretive ,center includes
 all land1 buildings1 and fixtures      
associated with the center described in 
subparagraph 7,a74  7#d7 ,map ,the term 
,map means the map entitled ,lewis and  
,clark ,interpretive ,center1 ,tract    
,no4 #a of the ,certificate of ,survey  
#cidb1 filed on ,april #ah1 #bjjb1 in   
the offices of the ,clerk and ,recorder1
 ,cascade ,county1 ,montana4  7#e7      

,secretary ,the term ,secretary means   
the ,secretary of ,agriculture4  7#f7   
,state ,the term ,state means the ,state
 of ,montana4  #d4 ,amendments ,public  
,law #ajj-eeb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd note2
 #ajb ,stat4 #bgff7 is amended-- 7#a7 in
 section #b-- 7,a7 in subsection 7b71 in
 the first sentence1 by striking donated
 and inserting conveyed2 and  7,b7 by   
striking subsection 7c72 and  7#b7 in   
section #c7;a71 by striking the second  
sentence4  #e4 ,ratification of prior   
conveyance ,notwithstanding section #b  
of ,public ,law #ajj-eeb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 
#abdd note2 #ajb ,stat4 #bgff71 the     
,grant ,deed is ratified in accordance  
with the terms of the ,grant ,deed4  #f4
 ,conveyance by lease  7a7 ,pilot       
project  7#a7 ,in general ,not later    
than #ahj days after the date of        
enactment of this ,act1 without further 
administrative procedures1 reviews1 or  
analyses and subject to valid existing  
rights of record1 the ,secretary shall  
carry out a pilot project under which   

the ,secretary shall offer to lease to  
the ,foundation1 for no consideration1  
the land and improvements comprising the
 ,federal interest in the ,interpretive 
,center1 including the real property    
depicted on the ,map and conveyed by the
 ,grant ,deed4  7#b7 ,timing ,at any    
time1 the ,secretary and the ,foundation
 may agree to the lease of all or any   
portion of the property described in    
paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 at #a time2 or    
7,b7 in phases over time4  7#c7         
,personal property conveyance ,the      
,secretary may convey1 by deed of gift  
or lease to the ,foundation1 for no     
consideration1 such furniture1          
equipment1 and other personal property  
as the ,secretary and the ,foundation   
agree to be appropriate1 including any  
property that has been used in          
connection with the operation and       
maintenance of the ,interpretive ,center
 on or before the date of enactment of  
this ,act4  7b7 ,terms and conditions   
7#a7 ,term ,the lease under subsection  

7a7 shall be-- 7,a7 for a primary term  
of not more than #dj years2 and  7,b7   
renewable for additional terms of not   
more than #dj years each1 in accordance 
with such terms and conditions as the   
,secretary and the ,foundation agree to 
be appropriate4  7#b7 ,condition ,the   
,secretary-- 7,a7 shall lease any real  
or personal property pursuant to this   
section in the existing condition of the
 property2 and  7,b7 has no obligation  
to repair or replace any such property  
or improvement4  7#c7 ,requirements     
7,a7 ,in general ,the terms of any      
lease1 lease modification1 or lease     
renewal under this section shall be     
consistent with the requirements of this
 ,act4  7,b7 ,other terms and conditions
 ,the lease may contain such other terms
 and conditions including provisions    
relating to-- 7i7 the partial occupancy 
and use at reduced or no charges by the 
,forest ,service1 other ,federal        
departments or agencies1 and any other  
entities referred to in ,public ,law    

#ajj-eeb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd note2 #ajb
 ,stat4 #bgff72  7ii7 capital           
improvements made by the ,foundation1   
the title to which shall vest in the    
,united ,states on termination of the   
lease1 unless otherwise agreed to by the
 ,secretary and the ,foundation2 and    
7iii7 the upkeep and maintenance of any 
appropriate facilities by the           
,foundation4  7#d7 ,modifications ,the  
lease may be modified from time to time 
by mutual written agreement of the      
,secretary and the ,foundation4  7#e7   
,termination ,the lease under subsection
 7a7 shall be terminable by the         
,secretary in any case in which the     
,secretary determines that the          
,interpretive ,center is-- 7,a7         
destroyed by fire or act of ,god such   
that the ,interpretive ,center cannot   
continue operating1 and the ,foundation 
has elected not to construct or         
reconstruct any necessary improvements2 
7,b7 attempted to be sold1 mortgaged1 or
 used as security for indebtedness2     

7,c7 abandoned or ceases to be used for 
the purposes of the lease for a         
consecutive period of #a year1 unless   
otherwise agreed to by the ,foundation  
and the ,secretary2 or  7,d7 used in a  
manner that is inconsistent with the    
terms of the lease4  7c7 ,administrative
 actions ,the ,regional ,forester1      
,northern ,region1 of the ,forest       
,service may act on behalf of the       
,secretary in carrying out this ,act4   
7d7 ,reservation of rights in ,united   
,states  7#a7 ,in general ,at all times1
 the ,united ,states shall reserve the  
right to locate1 develop1 and use the   
,interpretive ,center for other uses by 
the ,federal ,government that are       
compatible with the purposes and        
operation of ,interpretive ,center4     
7#b7 ,consultation required ,the        
,foundation shall be consulted prior to 
any development or use under paragraph  
7#a74  7e7 ,insurance  7#a7 ,in general 
,the ,foundation shall maintain general 
liability insurance for the duration of 

the lease under this section1 in such   
amount as is agreed to by the ,secretary
 and the ,foundation4  7#b7 ,requirement
 ,the ,united ,states shall be named as 
an additional insured under the policy4 
#g4 ,use by ,foundation ,the lease under
 this ,act-- 7#a7 shall permit the      
,foundation to assume stewardship       
responsibilities for the ,interpretive  
,center1 including through-- 7,a7 the   
sale of souvenirs and merchandise2  7,b7
 the provision of food and visitor      
services2  7,c7 the rental of facilities
 for short-term events2 and  7,d7 the   
assessment of admission and use fees in 
an amount determined by the ,foundation2
 and  7#b7 may permit the ,foundation1  
with prior written approval of the      
,secretary-- 7,a7 to construct or       
renovate any applicable improvements2   
and  7,b7 to sublet any space or        
facility for any use that is compatible 
with the purposes of the ,interpretive  
,center4  #h4 ,monetary provisions  7a7 
,admission and use fees ,the ,foundation

 shall have sole discretion to establish
 and charge admission and use fees for  
the ,interpretive ,center4  7b7         
,receipts ,the ,foundation may retain   
and use all amounts generated from the  
operation of the ,interpretive ,center1 
including through-- 7#a7 the sale of    
merchandise2 and  7#b7 the assessment of
 admission and use fees4  7c7 ,accounts 
7#a7 ,in general ,the ,foundation shall 
maintain documents and accounts that    
are-- 7,a7 prepared by an accountant    
certified or licensed by a ,state       
regulatory authority2 and  7,b7 prepared
 in accordance with generally accepted  
accounting principles4  7#b7 ,inspection
 ,all documents and accounts of the     
,foundation shall be open to inspection 
by-- 7,a7 the ,secretary2 and  7,b7     
other appropriate ,federal officials4   
7d7 ,state and local taxes  7#a7 ,in    
general ,the ,interpretive ,center shall
 be considered to be ,federal property  
for purposes of taxation by the ,state  
government and units of local           

government4  7#b7 ,effect of ,act       
,nothing in this ,act exempts the       
,foundation or the ,interpretive ,center
 from the collection and payment of any 
sales or excise tax4  7e7 ,federal      
assistance  7#a7 ,in general ,subject to
 the availability of appropriated funds1
 the ,secretary may provide to the      
,foundation 7including through a        
cooperative agreement under section #i7 
such sums as the ,secretary determines  
to be appropriate for-- 7,a7 startup    
costs2 and  7,b7 subsequent maintenance 
and operational expenses4  7#b7 ,other  
,federal assistance ,the ,foundation may
 apply for and receive any ,federal     
grant or other form of ,federal         
assistance for which the ,foundation is 
otherwise eligible1 notwithstanding the 
status of the ,foundation as a lessee   
of1 or cooperator with1 the ,united     
,states4  #i4 ,cooperative agreements   
7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary and the 
,foundation at any time may enter into  
any cooperative agreement to provide    

,federal financial or other assistance  
at the ,interpretive ,center relating   
to-- 7#a7 the use of ,forest ,service   
employees for interpretive or           
educational services2  7#b7 the use of  
equipment2  7#c7 the training of staff  
and volunteers2  7#d7 the provision of  
interpretive services1 including        
displays1 educational programs1 and     
similar information2  7#e7 maintenance  
and operational expenses2 and  7#f7 any 
other activity that the ,foundation and 
the ,secretary determine to be in       
support of the purposes of ,public ,law 
#ajj-eeb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd note2 #ajb
 ,stat4 #bgff7 and this ,act4  7b7      
,effect of ,act ,nothing in this ,act   
precludes the use of other cooperative  
authorities of the ,secretary1 including
 the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af
 ,u4,s4,c4 #abda et seq474  #aj4        
,relationship to other laws  7a7 ,public
 ,law #ajj-eeb  7#a7 ,in general ,except
 as provided in section #d1 ,public ,law
 #ajj-eeb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd note2    

#ajb ,stat4 #bgff7 shall remain in force
 and effect4  7#b7 ,conflicts ,if a     
conflict arises between ,public ,law    
#ajj-eeb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd note2 #ajb
 ,stat4 #bgff7 and any provision of this
 ,act1 the provision of this ,act shall 
prevail4  7b7 ,fees and charges ,the    
,foundation and the operation of the    
,interpretive ,center shall not be      
subject to the requirements of ,federal 
,lands ,recreation ,enhancement ,act    
7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #fhja et seq47 or any    
other law relating to the charging of   
admission or use fees on ,federal land  
or facilities4  7c7 ,federal laws and   
regulations  7#a7 ,in general           
,notwithstanding the lease under this   
,act1 the ,interpretive ,center shall   
continue to be subject to the laws and  
regulations relating to the ,national   
,forest ,system1 unless any such law or 
regulation is inconsistent with ,public 
,law #ajj-eeb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd note2
 #ajb ,stat4 #bgff7 or this ,act4  7#b7 
,regulations ,no provision contained in 

subpart ,b of part #bea of title #cf1   
,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in   
effect on the date of enactment of this 
,act71 shall apply to the lease         
authorized by this ,act1 unless such a  
provision is incorporated in the lease  
by agreement of the ,secretary and the  
,foundation4  #aa4 ,reports to ,congress
  7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary and   
the ,foundation each may submit to      
,congress1 from time to time1 reports   
regarding the status of the pilot       
project authorized by this ,act1        
including-- 7#a7 an assessment of the   
lease under the pilot project2 and  7#b7
 such recommendations as the ,secretary 
or the ,foundation determine to be      
necessary or appropriate for the        
continued management of the             
,interpretive ,center4  7b7             
,applicability ,the ,secretary may      
advise ,congress with respect to the    
potential applicability of the pilot    
project under this ,act to other        
interpretive centers within the         

,national ,forest ,system4  #ab4        
,authorization of appropriations ,there 
are authorized to be appropriated to the
 ,secretary such sums as are necessary  
to carry out-- 7#a7 this ,act2 and  7#b7
 ,public ,law #ajj-eeb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4   
#abdd note2 #ajb ,stat4 #bgff74