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1 [1] (May 6, 2025)

handle is hein.crs/shninsdln0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Co gressional Research Service Informrig the legislative debate sirnce 1914 May 6, 2025 Smithsonian Institution: Selected Legislation, 119th Congress The Smithsonian Institution is a complex of museum, education, research, and revenue-generating entities primarily located in the Washington, DC, region, with additional facilities and activities across the United States and world. For further consideration of Smithsonian activities, see CRS In Focus IF12718, Smithsonian Institution: Background, Entities, and Leadership, and CRS Report R44370, Smithsonian Institution Museums: Selected Issuesfor Congress. This In Focus discusses proposed legislation to authorize new facilities, relationships, or programming within the Smithsonian in the 119th Congress (2025-2026) to date. It excludes discussion of measures that consider Smithsonian appropriations; appointment of citizen Regents; potential assignment of congressional gold medals to the Smithsonian (e.g., S. 338 or H.R. 821); and other proposals. Siting Authorized Museums H.R. 1329, S. 1303, Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act On February 13, 2025, Representative Nicole Malliotakis introduced H.R. 1329. On April 4, 2025, Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced S. 1303. The bills, entitled the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum (SAWHM) Act, are identical in language, and would authorize the SAWHM to be located in the Reserve of the National Mall. H.R. 1330, S. 1304, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act On February 13, 2025, Representative Malliotakis introduced H.R. 1330. On April 3, 2025, Senator Alex Padilla introduced S. 1304. Both bills, entitled the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino (NMAL) Act, are identical in language, and would authorize the NMAL to be located in the Reserve of the National Mall. The bills-H.R. 1329 and S. 1303 for the SAWHM and H.R. 1330 and S. 1304 for the NMAL, would authorize the transfer of sites the Smithsonian designates for each museum upon notification by the Smithsonian Board of Regents to the heads of federal agencies or entities with jurisdiction of the sites. The head of the agency or entity would be required to submit written notification to the chair and ranking member of the following congressional committees: Senate Rules and Administration; House Administration; Senate Energy and Natural Resources; House Natural Resources; House Transportation and Infrastructure; and House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. Following notification, administrative jurisdiction of the sites would transfer from the agencies to the Smithsonian. The bills would require the SAWHM Advisory Council or the NMAL Board of Trustees to ensure that their respective Museums accurately and comprehensively represent the varied cultures, histories, events, and values held by women for the SAWHM, and by Hispanics or Latinos for the NMAL. The SAWHM Advisory Council and NMAL Trustees are to seek guidance from a broad array of sources reflecting the diversity of the political viewpoints and authentic experiences held by women, or Hispanics and Latinos, in the United States, as appropriate. The Secretary of the Smithsonian would be required to report 120 days after enactment, and every two years thereafter, to the same congressional committees on the museums' efforts to comply with those requirements. H.R. 1329 and H.R. 1330 were referred to the House Committee on House Administration and the House Committee on Natural Resources. S. 1303 and S. 1304 were referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. Considering Creation of New Museums Potential National Museum of Italian American History and Culture On February 6, 2025, Representative Thomas R. Suozzi introduced H.R. 1102, the Commission to Study the Potential of a National Museum of Italian American History and Culture Act. The bill would require the establishment of a commission of eight members, with two each appointed by the Speaker of the House, the majority leader of the Senate, and the minority leaders of the House and Senate. The commission would be required to submit a report to the President and Congress with its recommendations for a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of an Italian American museum in Washington, DC. A second report would consider the availability and costs of collections to be acquired and housed in the museum; the museum's impact on existing Italian American-related museums; the development of criteria in consultation with the Smithsonian Institution for evaluating potential locations for the museum within Washington, DC; whether the museum should be located within the Smithsonian Institution; the costs of the museum; and other matters. H.R. 1102 would require the commission to develop a fundraising plan addressing the ability to support the costs of the museum through contributions from the public, without reliance on appropriated funds. The commission would be required to submit the fundraising plan to independent review to ascertain whether it could meet those ittps://crsreports.congress.gov S

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