Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

20 U.S.C. § 59

Collections of National Ocean Survey, United States Geological Survey, and others deposited in National Museum

All collections of rocks, minerals, soils, fossils, and objects of natural history, archaeology, and ethnology, made by the National Ocean Survey, the United States Geological Survey, or by any other parties for the Government of the United States, when no longer needed for investigations in progress shall be deposited in the National Museum.

Mar. 3, 1879, ch. 182, § 120 Stat. 39479 Stat. 131884 Stat. 2090Pub. L. 102–154, title I105 Stat. 1000(, ; 1965 Reorg. Plan No. 2, eff. , 30 F.R. 8819, ; 1970 Reorg. Plan No. 4, eff. , 35 F.R. 15627, ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Words “Coast and Interior Survey” appearing in act , were in prior editions of the Code changed to “Coast and Geodetic Survey.” Congress never created a Coast and Interior Survey. In a communication dated , the Director of the Geological Survey explained that the words “Coast and Interior Survey” were inadvertently incorporated upon authority of report contained in Senate Misc. Doc. No. 9, 45th Congress, 3d Session, which recommended the “Coast and Geodetic Survey” be changed to “United States Coast and Interior Survey” and an organization be created in the Interior Department to be known as the “United States Geological Survey.” Congress adopted only the latter suggestion.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Pub. L. 102–154section 31 of Title 43“United States Geological Survey” substituted in text for “Geological Survey” pursuant to provision of title I of , set out as a note under , Public Lands.

National Museum

section 50 of this titleEstablishment of the National Museum, see note set out under .

National Museum of American History

Pub. L. 96–441, § 294 Stat. 1884

20 U.S.C. 59“The bureau of the Smithsonian Institution known as the Museum of History and Technology and so referred to in the Act entitled ‘An Act to authorize the construction of a building for a Museum of History and Technology for the Smithsonian Institution, including the preparation of plans and specifications, and all other work incidental thereto’, approved ( note), shall be known as the ‘National Museum of American History’.”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 96–441section 71 of this titleFor provision deeming references to the Museum of History and Technology in laws and regulations to be references to the National Museum of American History, see section of 3 of , set out as a note under .

Museum of History and Technology for the Smithsonian Institution

Act June 28, 1955, ch. 20169 Stat. 189, , authorized construction of a building for a Museum of History and Technology, which was redesignated the National Museum of American History, for the use of the Smithsonian Institution, at a cost not to exceed $36,000,000.

Executive Documents

Change of Name

79 Stat. 131884 Stat. 2090section 311 of Title 15Coast and Geodetic Survey consolidated with National Weather Bureau in 1965 to form Environmental Science Services Administration by Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1965, eff. , 30 F.R. 8819, . Environmental Science Services Administration abolished in 1970 and its personnel, property, records, etc., transferred to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by Reorg. Plan No. 4 of 1970, eff. , 35 F.R. 15627, . By order of Acting Associate Administrator of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 35 F.R. 19249, , Coast and Geodetic Survey redesignated National Ocean Survey. See notes set out under , Commerce and Trade.