H.R. 1704

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend title 54, United States Code, to establish within the National Park Service the National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · February 27, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Kamlager-Dove · Committee: Committee on Natural Resources

H.R. 1704

309201. Definitions.

In this chapter:

The term Advisory Committee means the Freedom Settlements Advisory Committee established under section 309209.
The term Freedom Settlement means a community established by formerly enslaved African Americans following emancipation (also commonly referred to as ‘Freedmen’s Settlements’, , or ‘Black Towns’). The term means a community established by formerly enslaved African Americans following emancipation (also commonly referred to as ‘Freedmen’s Settlements’, , or ‘Black Towns’). Freedom Colonies
The term Program means the National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program established under section 309204.
The term Study means the study required under section 309205.

309202. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to—

recognize the importance of Freedom Settlements, including communities established by formerly enslaved people, free African Americans, and their descendants, the sacrifices made by those who used the Underground Railroad in search of freedom, equality, and material security, and the vision of Settlements founders; and
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to coordinate and facilitate Federal and non-Federal activities to identify, research, record, preserve, commemorate, honor, and interpret the history of Freedom Settlements, their significance as a crucial element in the evolution of African-American history, and their relevance in fostering the spirit of racial justice and wealth equality.

309203. National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program.

(a) In general
- The Secretary shall establish within the Service a program to be known as the . National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program
(b) Duties of secretary
- In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall develop a program for the provision of grants in accordance with section 309204(a), in consultation with—
  - organizations, experts, and community leaders who serve African-American communities;
  - organizations involved with Freedom Settlements; and
  - residents and descendants of residents of Freedom Settlements.
(c) Donations
- The Secretary may accept donations of funds, services, or property for the purposes of carrying out this chapter.
(d) Consent of private property owner required
- Freedom Settlements may only be considered for a grant under the Program—
  - with the consent of the owner of the applicable property; and
  - at the request of an individual, landowner, private or nonprofit organization, State, Tribal, or local government, or other entity.
(e) Scope
- The Secretary may consider the following for inclusion in the Program:
  - All units and programs of the National Park Service determined by the Secretary to pertain to Freedom Settlements.
  - Historic properties pertaining to Freedom Settlements.
  - Other governmental and nongovernmental facilities and programs of an educational, research, or interpretive nature that are directly related to Freedom Settlements.

309204. Authority to award grants.

(a) In general
- In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may award grants to eligible entities described in subsection (b)(1) for—
  - the identification of Freedom Settlements that may qualify for the Program;
  - cultural and heritage preservation, restoration, and tourism program development of Freedom Settlements;
  - related research and documentation of Freedom Settlements;
  - capacity-building to operate and maintain recognized Freedom Settlement sites; and
  - educational programming about Freedom Settlement history.
(b) Applications
- (1) Eligible entities
  - Each of the following entities are eligible for a grant under the Program:
    - A property owner of a property associated with Freedom Settlements.
    - Tribal, State, or local governments.
    - Community organizations that have demonstrated local leadership and a commitment to community development.
- (2) Submission
  - To be eligible for a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.

309205. Freedom Settlements Study.

(a) Study
- The Secretary shall conduct a study to identify key sites that—
  - illustrate the period in American history when formerly enslaved African Americans established Freedom Settlements to provide their communities with education, security, and belonging which were previously denied under slavery and discriminatory laws; and
  - may be suitable for inclusion in the Program.
(b) Consultation
- The Study shall be conducted with public involvement and in consultation with—
  - the Advisory Committee;
  - State and local officials;
  - educational institutions; and
  - other interested organizations and individuals.

The Secretary shall maintain and regularly update a comprehensive registry of Freedom Settlements, as they are identified and verified through the research and documentation process outlined in this chapter, including but not limited to historically documented settlements engaged in preservation efforts, such as—

Nicodemus, Kansas;
Africatown, Alabama;
Mound Bayou, Mississippi;
Eatonville, Florida;
Boley, Oklahoma;
Hobson City, Alabama;
Allensworth, California;
Freedmen’s Town Historic District, Houston, Texas;
Independence Heights, Texas;
Mossville, Louisiana;
Oberlin Village, North Carolina;
Kinloch, Missouri;
New Philadelphia, Illinois;
Rosewood, Florida;
Weeksville, New York;
Freedman’s Village, Arlington, Virginia;
Sandy Ground, New York;
Princeville, North Carolina;
Greenwood District (Black Wall Street), Tulsa, Oklahoma; and
Freedmen’s Town, Dallas, Texas.

309207. Private Property Protection.

Nothing in this chapter—

authorizes the Secretary to require or affect the management or use of private property without the written consent of the owner of the private property; or
prohibits the Secretary from providing land management guidance or requirements relating to private property as a condition of a grant provided to the owner of the private property under this chapter.

309208. Cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding.

The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding with, and provide technical assistance to, the heads of other Federal agencies, States, units of local government, Tribal governments, regional governmental bodies, African American-serving groups, residents and descendants of residents of Freedom Settlements, scholars of this specific history, and nonprofit organizations such as the Chisholm Legacy Project, Ubuntu Climate, and the Texas Freedom Colonies Project, educational institutions, and private entities—

to achieve the purposes of this chapter;
to facilitate cooperation with the Advisory Committee; and
to ensure effective coordination of the Federal elements and non-Federal elements provided a grant or other assistance under the Program with System units and programs of the Service.

309209. Freedom Settlements Advisory Committee.

(a) In general
- In carrying out the Study under section 309205, the Secretary shall establish a committee to be known as the to assist with the Study. Freedom Settlements Advisory Committee
(b) Composition
- The Advisory Committee shall be composed of members, appointed by the Secretary, who—
  - are residents or descendants of residents of Freedom Settlements;
  - have demonstrated expertise in—
    - African-American history; or
    - Reconstruction or Jim Crow era history; or
  - are community leaders and advocates for African-American community heritage, preservation, and development.