Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Museum Artifacts Act

This bill would help build the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. It lets the Department of the Interior give up to $50 million in grants to preserve and share materials about Theodore Roosevelt and provide educational programs, but only if the Library first secures at least $100 million from the state or other non-federal sources. Federal grant money cannot be used to run or maintain the Library after it is built.

The Interior Department may also make deals to loan museum artifacts and objects related to Roosevelt—especially items not currently on display—from agencies like the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service. These loans would be at no cost and must follow rules that protect and properly display the items. This can start within 180 days after the bill becomes law. The federal government would not operate the Library unless the non-federal operator asks for help and the law allows it.

• Who is affected: Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation; Department of the Interior; agencies like NPS and Fish and Wildlife; visitors to the Library.
• What changes: Up to $50 million in federal grants with a $100 million matching requirement; free loans of federal artifacts; no federal role in daily operations; no federal funds for maintenance/operations.
• When: Artifact loan agreements may begin within 180 days after enactment.