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119-s-1304119th Congress

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act

Sponsored By: Senator Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

Introduced

Summary

Would authorize the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall. It would also create rules for transferring federally managed land to the Smithsonian and set standards and reporting requirements for the museum's exhibits and governance.

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  • Hispanic and Latino communities: Requires the Board of Trustees to ensure exhibits and programs accurately represent the varied cultures, histories, events, and values of Hispanic or Latino communities and to seek guidance from a defined "broad array" of knowledgeable and respected sources when creating or substantially revising exhibits.
  • Smithsonian and other federal agencies: Allows a Museum site to be sited in the Mall Reserve notwithstanding other laws and sets a process for sites under another agency. The Board must notify the agency head, that head must tell six specified congressional committee leaders, and then transfer administrative jurisdiction to the Smithsonian as soon as practicable.
  • Oversight and planning: Would require the Secretary of the Smithsonian to report to designated congressional committees not later than 120 days after enactment and every 2 years thereafter on actions taken by the Director and Board to comply, including substantial revisions and future planning.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger museum exhibits and reports

If enacted, the Board would have to make sure exhibits and programs accurately show the many cultures, histories, events, and values of Hispanic or Latino communities. The Board must seek and use advice from a broad array of respected sources representing diverse political viewpoints when making or substantially changing exhibits. The Smithsonian Secretary would have to report to specified House and Senate committees within 120 days and then every two years about what the Director and Board did to comply.

New siting rules for Mall and federal land

If enacted, the bill would allow the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino to be placed inside the National Mall Reserve, overriding other laws that might block that siting. The Board could not pick a site under another agency's control without telling that agency first. That agency head must then notify certain House and Senate committee leaders in writing and transfer administrative control to the Smithsonian "as soon as practicable." The bill would also remove a limiting proviso in the earlier law and treat these changes as if they took effect when Congress enacted section 201 of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The authorization does not itself provide building funds or name a specific site.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 4/3/2025

  • Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 4/3/2025

  • Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 4/3/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 4/3/2025

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 4/3/2025

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 4/3/2025

  • Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2025

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 6/26/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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