Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The SHAWL Act allows two Smithsonian museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women's History Museum—to be built on the National Mall's Reserve, an area previously restricted from such development. The bill requires the Smithsonian's Board of Regents to notify any federal agency whose land might be used for these museums, and those agencies must transfer their jurisdiction to the Smithsonian as soon as practicable after Congress is informed of the plan. Both museums must ensure their exhibits and programs represent diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences by consulting a broad range of experts and sources reflecting the varied communities and perspectives within Hispanic or Latino populations and women in the United States. The Smithsonian Secretary must report to Congress within 120 days of the law's enactment and every two years thereafter on how the museums are meeting these diversity requirements, including details on exhibit revisions and future program planning. The bill does not specify funding amounts or a particular construction timeline.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.