H.R. 1329
Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act
Sponsor: Nicole Malliotakis · 231 cosponsors
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Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act
This bill authorizes the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum to be located on a particular site within the Reserve of the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Specifically, the bill designates the South Monument site as the location for the museum; however, the President may designate an alternative site within 180 days of the bill's enactment. (The site is the undeveloped land across the National Mall from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.) Administrative jurisdiction of the site must be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution.
The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution must have the approval of specified federal entities (e.g., the Commission of Fine Arts) to plan, design, and construct a museum building. The bill (1) outlines the criteria for considering site and design proposals, and (2) requires the Smithsonian Institution to reimburse for costs resulting from the building approval process.
The bill directs the museum to be dedicated to preserving, researching, and presenting the history, achievements, and lived experiences of biological women in the United States. Under this bill, the museum may not identify, present, describe, or depict any biological male as a female.
In carrying out its duties, the museum's advisory council must (1) seek and utilize guidance from a broad array of knowledgeable and respected sources reflecting the diversity of the political viewpoints and authentic experiences held by women in the United States, and (2) seek guidance for the creation and substantial revision of exhibits and programs.
Text of the bill
Where this section came from
-
Feb 13, 2025 · Introduced in House Referred to House Committee on House Administration, Feb 13 Referred to House Committee on Natural Resources, Feb 13
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Apr 23, 2026 · Reported in House Marked up by House Committee on House Administration, Mar 18 Reported by House Committee on House Administration, Apr 23 Committee members' individual votes aren't in our records.
(a) Authorizing site within Reserve of National Mall.
(1) In general. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, including section 8908(c) of title 40, United States Code, the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum may be located within the Reserve (as defined in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code). (2) Conforming amendment.
Section 107(d) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t
–
-
5(d)) is amended by striking , except that and all that follows and inserting a period. (b)
Use
Site
of site under the jurisdiction of another Federal agency
designation
. Section 107(
b
a
) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t
–
-
5(
b
a
)) is amended to read as follows:
[Inserted into the law:
(
b
a
)
Site
In
under the jurisdiction of another Federal agency
general
.
(1) Notification to other agency or entity.
The
Board of Regents shall not designate a
site for the Museum
that
is
under
hereby
the
designated
administrative
as
jurisdiction of another Federal agency or entity without first notifying
the
head
South
of
Monument
the Federal agency or entity. (2) Notification to Committees. Once notified under paragraph (1), the head of the Federal agency or entity shall promptly submit written notification to the Chair and ranking minority members of the Committee on Rules and Administration
site
,
the
located
Committee
on
Appropriations, and
the
Committee
National
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate
Mall
,
and
bordered
the
by
Committee
14th
on
Street
House Administration
Southwest
,
the
Jefferson
Committee
Drive
on Natural Resources
Southwest
,
the
Raoul
Committee
Wallenberg
on
Place
Transportation and Infrastructure
Southwest
, and
the
Independence
Committee
Avenue
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
Southwest
,
stating
except
that the
Federal
President
agency
may
or
designate
entity
an
was
alternative
notified
site
by
for
the
Board
Museum
of
within
Regents
180
that
days
a
of
site under its jurisdiction was designated and that a transfer will be initiated as soon as practicable. (3) Transfer. As soon as practicable after
the date
on
of
which
the
individuals
enactment
described in paragraph (2) receive the written notification described in such subparagraph, the head
of
the
this
Federal agency or entity shall transfer to the Smithsonian Institution its administrative jurisdiction over the land or structure that has been designated as the site for the Museum
subsection
.
]
(c)
Ensuring
Use
diversity
of
political
site.
viewpoints
(1)
and authentic experiences
Transfer
. Section
104
107
(b
)(4
) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t
–2
-5
(b
)(4
)) is amended to read as follows:
[Inserted into the law:
(b) Transfer of site. As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the head of the Federal agency or entity shall transfer to the Smithsonian Institution its administrative jurisdiction over the land described in subsection (a).
]
(2) Building requirements. Section 107(c) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t-5(c)) is amended to read as follows:
[Inserted into the law:
(c) Building.
(1) In general. The Board of Regents, in consultation with the head of the Federal agency or entity and the council established under section 104 and with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts, National Capital Planning Commission, the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, and the head of the Federal agency or entity, may plan, design, and construct a building for the Museum, which shall be located at the site described in subsection (a).
(2) Criteria. In considering site and design proposals, the Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission, the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, and the head of the Federal agency or entity shall be guided by, but not limited to the following criteria:
(A) The Museum shall be located so that to the maximum extent practicable, it protects the open space, existing public use, and cultural and natural resources.
(B) The Museum shall be constructed of durable material suitable to the outdoor environment.
(C) Landscape features of the Museum shall be compatible with the climate.
(D) The National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts may develop such criteria or guidelines specific to each site that are mutually agreed upon to ensure that the design of the Museum carries out the purposes of this section.
]
(3) Expenses. Section 107 of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t-5) is amended by adding at the end the following:
[Inserted into the law:
(f) Expenses. The Smithsonian Institution shall reimburse within 60 days any and all costs incurred by the head of the Federal agency or entity for implementation of any recommendations resulting from the approval process described in subsection (c).
]
(d) Museum purpose. Section 103 of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t-1) is amended by adding at the end the following:
[Inserted into the law:
(c) Scope of Mission.
(1) In general. The Museum shall be dedicated to preserving, researching, and presenting the history, achievements, and lived experiences of biological women in the United States.
(2) Prohibition. The Museum may not identify, present, describe, or otherwise depict any biological male as a female.
]
(e) Ensuring diversity of political viewpoints and authentic experiences. Section 104(b)(4) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t-2(b)(4)) is amended to read as follows:
[Inserted into the law:
(4) Ensuring diversity of political viewpoints and authentic experiences.
(A) In general. The Council shall ensure that the exhibits and programs of the Museum
reflect, to the extent practicable, an equal representation of the diversity of the political viewpoints and authentic experiences held by women in the United States,
accurately and comprehensively
represent
representing
the varied cultures, histories, events, and values held by
women
such
in the United States
women
.
… 1 unchanged passage …
(C) Definitions. In this
subparagraph
paragraph
—
… 3 unchanged passages …
(
d
f
) Reports to Congress. Not later than 120 days after the date of
the
enactment of this Act and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of the Smithsonian shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate
,
a report on actions taken by the Director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and the Council of the Museum to comply with the requirements of the amendments made by subsection (
c
f
), including a description of actions taken with respect to substantial revisions of current exhibits and programs as well the planning of future exhibits and programs. (
e
g
) Effective date. This section and the amendments made by this section shall take effect as if included in the enactment of title I of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t et seq.).
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(a) Authorizing site within Reserve of National Mall. Section 107(d) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t-5(d)) is amended by striking , except that and all that follows and inserting a period.
(b) Site designation. Section 107(a) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t-5(a)) is amended to read as follows:
(a) In general. The site for the Museum is hereby designated as the South Monument site, located on the National Mall, bordered by 14th Street Southwest, Jefferson Drive Southwest, Raoul Wallenberg Place Southwest, and Independence Avenue Southwest, except that the President may designate an alternative site for the Museum within 180 days of the date of the enactment of this subsection.
(c) Use of site
(1) Transfer. Section 107(b) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t-5(b)) is amended to read as follows:
(b) Transfer of site. As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the head of the Federal agency or entity shall transfer to the Smithsonian Institution its administrative jurisdiction over the land described in subsection (a).
(2) Building requirements. Section 107(c) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t-5(c)) is amended to read as follows:
(c) Building
(1) In general. The Board of Regents, in consultation with the head of the Federal agency or entity and the council established under section 104 and with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts, National Capital Planning Commission, the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, and the head of the Federal agency or entity, may plan, design, and construct a building for the Museum, which shall be located at the site described in subsection (a).
(2) Criteria. In considering site and design proposals, the Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission, the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, and the head of the Federal agency or entity shall be guided by, but not limited to the following criteria:
(A) The Museum shall be located so that to the maximum extent practicable, it protects the open space, existing public use, and cultural and natural resources.
(B) The Museum shall be constructed of durable material suitable to the outdoor environment.
(C) Landscape features of the Museum shall be compatible with the climate.
(D) The National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts may develop such criteria or guidelines specific to each site that are mutually agreed upon to ensure that the design of the Museum carries out the purposes of this section.
(3) Expenses. Section 107 of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t-5) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(f) Expenses. The Smithsonian Institution shall reimburse within 60 days any and all costs incurred by the head of the Federal agency or entity for implementation of any recommendations resulting from the approval process described in subsection (c).
(d) Museum purpose. Section 103 of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t-1) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(c) Scope of Mission
(1) In general. The Museum shall be dedicated to preserving, researching, and presenting the history, achievements, and lived experiences of biological women in the United States.
(2) Prohibition. The Museum may not identify, present, describe, or otherwise depict any biological male as a female.
(e) Ensuring diversity of political viewpoints and authentic experiences. Section 104(b)(4) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t-2(b)(4)) is amended to read as follows:
(4) Ensuring diversity of political viewpoints and authentic experiences
(A) In general. The Council shall ensure that the exhibits and programs of the Museum reflect, to the extent practicable, an equal representation of the diversity of the political viewpoints and authentic experiences held by women in the United States, accurately and comprehensively representing the varied cultures, histories, events, and values held by such women.
(B) Specific requirements. In carrying out its duties, the Council shall ensure that it seeks and utilizes to its maximum ability guidance from a broad array of knowledgeable and respected sources reflecting the diversity of the political viewpoints and authentic experiences held by women in the United States, and shall seek such guidance for both the creation and substantial revision of exhibits and programs.
(C) Definitions. In this paragraph—
(i) the term broad array means a range of experts and publications that represent the broad spectrum of communities of women, to include varied viewpoints, political ideologies, cultures, and lived experiences in the United States; and
(ii) the term knowledgeable and respected source means an individual who has gained through education, publication, or witnessing an important or historical event, the ability to advise on at least one unique viewpoint or experience of a particular community of women in the United States, and whose knowledge has been relied upon by a notable segment of that community for education, heritage preservation, or historical purposes, and includes the work of such an individual which reflects such ability and knowledge.
(f) Reports to Congress. Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of the Smithsonian shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report on actions taken by the Director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and the Council of the Museum to comply with the requirements of the amendments made by subsection (f), including a description of actions taken with respect to substantial revisions of current exhibits and programs as well the planning of future exhibits and programs.
(g) Effective date. This section and the amendments made by this section shall take effect as if included in the enactment of title I of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t et seq.).