Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act

Summary#

This bill allows the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall. It changes parts of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, so the museum site can be selected inside the Reserve despite other laws. The bill requires the Smithsonian Board of Regents to notify any federal agency that currently has administrative jurisdiction over a chosen site, and then that agency must transfer administrative jurisdiction to the Smithsonian as soon as practicable. It also changes museum planning requirements so the Museum Council must ensure exhibits and programs accurately represent varied cultures, histories, events, and values of women in the United States, and must seek guidance from a "broad array" of knowledgeable and respected sources. The bill defines those terms for the Council and requires the Smithsonian Secretary to report to several congressional committees within 120 days of enactment and every two years after, describing actions taken to follow the exhibit and program requirements. The effective date is set as if these changes were part of the original 2021 law.

What it means for you#

  • The museum may be built or located on the Reserve area of the National Mall.
  • If a site is under another federal agency, that agency must be told and then transfer administrative control to the Smithsonian.
  • The museum's exhibits and programs must try to represent many cultures, political viewpoints, and lived experiences of women in the United States.
  • Congress will receive reports about how the museum is meeting the exhibit and program rules.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill permits the museum to be sited on the Reserve of the National Mall and sets rules to ensure exhibits represent a wide range of women's experiences and viewpoints. It also establishes a process for notifying other agencies and transferring site jurisdiction to the Smithsonian, and requires periodic reports to Congress on compliance.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.