VISITOR CENTER.

SEC. 101. VISITOR CENTER. Public Law 96–297 (16 U.S.C. 431 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:“SEC. 6. VISITOR CENTER.“(a) Authorization.—“(1) In general.—The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., is authorized to construct a visitor center at or near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia, or its environs, subject to the provisions of this section, in order to better inform and educate the public about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam War.“(2) Location.—The visitor center shall be located underground.“(3) Consultation on design phase.—The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., shall consult with educators, veterans groups, and the National Park Service in developing the proposed design of the visitor center.“(b) Compliance With Standards Applicable to Commemorative Works.—Chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code, shall apply, including provisions related to the siting, design, construction, and maintenance of the visitor center, and the visitor center shall be considered a commemorative work for the purposes of that Act, except that—“(1) final approval of the visitor center shall not be withheld;“(2) the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of section 8908 of title 40, United States Code, requiring further approval by law for the location of a commemorative work within Area I and prohibiting the siting of a visitor center within the Reserve shall not apply; “(3) the size of the visitor center shall be limited to the minimum necessary—117 STAT. 1349“(A) to provide for appropriate educational and interpretive functions; and“(B) to prevent interference or encroachment on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and to protect open space and visual sightlines on the Mall; and“(4) the visitor center shall be constructed and landscaped in a manner harmonious with the site of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, consistent with the special nature and sanctity of the Mall.“(c) Operation and Maintenance.—“(1) In general.—The Secretary of the Interior shall—“(A) operate and maintain the visitor center, except that the Secretary shall enter into a written agreement with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., for specified maintenance needs of the visitor center, as determined by the Secretary; and“(B) as soon as practicable, in consultation with educators and veterans groups, develop a written interpretive plan for the visitor center in accordance with National Park Service policy.“(2) Donation for perpetual maintenance and preservation.—Paragraph (1)(A) does not waive the requirements of section 8906(b) of title 40, United States Code, with respect to the visitor center.“(d) Funding.—The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., shall be solely responsible for acceptance of contributions for, and payment of expenses of, the establishment of the visitor center. No Federal funds shall be used to pay any expense of the establishment of the visitor center.” .