Sponsors (131)
The bill secures a high-profile, accessible site and clearer representational guidance for the National Museum of the American Latino while increasing congressional oversight — but it does so by carving an exception into Mall Reserve protections, accelerating administrative transfers, and creating potential for politicized disputes and legal uncertainty.
Visitors and the general public gain a prominent, accessible National Museum of the American Latino location because the bill allows siting within the National Mall Reserve.
Hispanic/Latino communities and museum visitors are more likely to see broader, more accurate representation because trustees are required to consult diverse, knowledgeable sources when developing exhibits.
Congress and the public get more transparency and oversight because the bill mandates regular reporting to Congress on trustee compliance and museum governance.
Local governments and the public face a precedent risk because allowing the museum within the Mall Reserve overrides existing protections and could make future waivers of Mall Reserve rules easier.
Federal agencies and local planning processes could be disrupted because the bill directs transfer of administrative jurisdiction to the Smithsonian 'as soon as practicable,' potentially accelerating land transfers and reducing review time.
Board members and Hispanic/Latino stakeholders could face politicized disputes because the trustee duty to seek a 'broad array' of viewpoints may invite disagreement over which sources are included and perceived political balance in exhibits.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows the museum to be sited within the National Mall Reserve, tightens trustee outreach duties, requires agency notification and transfer of site jurisdiction, and mandates reporting to Congress.
Introduced February 13, 2025 by Nicole Malliotakis · Last progress February 13, 2025
Allows the Smithsonian to locate the proposed National Museum of the American Latino within the Reserve of the National Mall and changes prior law and trustee duties to smooth that siting process. It requires federal agencies that manage a prospective site to be notified and to transfer administrative jurisdiction to the Smithsonian “as soon as practicable,” tightens trustee obligations to seek advice reflecting a broad range of political viewpoints and authentic Hispanic/Latino experiences, and directs the Smithsonian Secretary to report to specified congressional committees within 120 days and then every two years on compliance. The changes apply retroactively as if included in the original 2021 law that authorized the museum.