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VOTED that the Board of Regents, having considered the fundamental responsibilities for ensuring the safety of the Smithsonian's visitors and the protection of its staff and national collections, and having also considered related financial and administrative burdens of maintaining current levels of public parking on Smithsonian museum lots by October 1. The Board further urges the Secretary to make every effort to disseminate information facilitating visitors' access to information facilitating visitors' access to the Smithsonian's various public facilities.

[[underlined]] Proposed Revision to the Bylaws of the National Portrait Gallery Commission [[/underlined]]

The Commission of the National Portrait Gallery recommended revisions to the bylaws of the Commission which would enable the Director to expend up to $1,000 for the purchase of any portrait not previously approved by the commission and no more than a total of $25,000 for purchases in this category in any fiscal year. Accordingly it was

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed revision to the bylaws of the National Portrait Gallery Commission.

[[underlined]] Effects on the Smithsonian of Changes to Inspectors General Act of 1978 [[/underlined]]

Public Law 95-452, approved October 12, 1978, established offices of Inspector General within the executive branch and required semiannual reports to the Congress by each Inspector General. Legislation now pending (H.R. 3077 and S. 2005) would amend the 1978 Act and extend statutory IG protections and requirements to most existing executive branch audit and investigative units.  A recent General Accounting Office report identified such units in 41 agencies not subject to statutory inspector general requirements and reported that its review found improvements were needed in 12 of those agencies.  While the Smithsonian's Office of Audits and Investigations was included in the overall review, no problems were found with its independence or manner of operations.

Although the Smithsonian not included in the pending legislation the GAO report may ultimately have the effect of encouraging Congress to bring all audit and investigative units under the legislation. Such action with regard to the Institution could have two unfortunate consequences.  first, it could suggest that the Smithsonian is an executive branch agency, and, second, the reporting requirements could lessen the authority of the Board of Regents and its Audit and Review Committee.