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A bill to provide for the establishment of a Commission on the Bicentennial of the Constitution.

Public Law 98-101 · S. 118 · 98th Congress · began in the Senate

Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Sep 29, 1983 · Law

Sponsor: Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

Cosponsors (8): Sen. Strom Thurmond,

Passage votes

  • HouseVoice vote
  • SenateVoice vote
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Establishes the Presidential Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. Requires the Commission to: (1) plan and develop appropriate activities to commemorate the bicentennial of the Constitution; (2) encourage private organizations, and State and local governments to organize and participate in bicentennial activities; (3) coordinate activities throughout all the States; and (4) serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of bicentennial information. Directs the Commission to seek assistance from private and governmental agencies and organizations.

Requires the Commission to submit a report of its recommendations to the President, Congress and the Judicial Conference within two years of enactment of this Act and annually until its termination. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 1989.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1983 and such sums as necessary through FY 1989.

Sets forth administrative provisions and powers for such commission.

Authorizes the Commission to hire up to five publicly paid staff personnel. Allows the commission to hire up to 40 additional staff members to be paid from private donations. Requires notification to the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary concerning such additional appointments. Empowers either the House Committee or the Senate Committee within sixty days after the required notification to veto such appointments.

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

  • Judiciary Committee · Senate · markup by, referred to, reported bySubcommittee: Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights Subcommittee
Data notes

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 15 actions.

  1. Sep 29, 1983Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 98-101.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Sep 19, 1983PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Sep 14, 1983Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to House amendments. By Voice Vote.
  5. Aug 4, 1983FloorFloor · Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  6. FloorFloor · Called up by House by Unanimous Consent.
  7. Jul 18, 1983FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
  8. Apr 28, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Judiciary Committee
  9. Apr 12, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Judiciary Committee
  10. Mar 24, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee
  11. Mar 7, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee
  12. Mar 1, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee
  13. Feb 22, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee
  14. Jan 26, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
  15. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
Data notes

Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.