Legis Daily

RESTORE Act

USA119th CongressHR-1704| House 
| Updated: 2/27/2025
Sydney Kamlager-Dove

Sydney Kamlager-Dove

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (13)
Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, known as the RESTORE Act , establishes the National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program within the National Park Service. Its purpose is to identify, preserve, and commemorate historical Freedom Settlements, also known as Freedmen's Settlements or Black Towns, which were established by formerly enslaved African Americans after the Civil War as centers of self-sufficiency and resilience. The program authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to award grants for the identification, cultural and heritage preservation, restoration, and documentation of these settlements. Grants will also support capacity-building and educational programming, with eligible entities including property owners, governments, and community organizations. An annual appropriation of $3,000,000 is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to fund these initiatives. Key provisions include a mandate for the Secretary to conduct a Freedom Settlements Study to identify suitable sites and to maintain a comprehensive registry of verified settlements. A Freedom Settlements Advisory Committee will be established, comprising residents, descendants, and experts, to assist with the study and ensure community involvement. The legislation aims to honor the legacy of self-determination and community-building these settlements represent, addressing historical inequities and promoting a more complete understanding of American history. It ensures private property rights are protected by requiring owner consent for program inclusion.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4563
RESTORE Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2612
RESTORE Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1692
RESTORE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7895
RESTORE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3479
RESTORE Act of 2023
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 27, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
May 7, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1641
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4563
    RESTORE Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2612
    RESTORE Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1692
    RESTORE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7895
    RESTORE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3479
    RESTORE Act of 2023


  • February 27, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 27, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • May 7, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1641
    Introduced in Senate

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Advisory bodiesAlabamaCaliforniaFloridaGovernment studies and investigationsHistoric sites and heritage areasIllinoisKansasLouisianaMississippiMissouriNew York StateNorth CarolinaOklahomaParks, recreation areas, trailsRacial and ethnic relationsTexasU.S. historyVirginia

RESTORE Act

USA119th CongressHR-1704| House 
| Updated: 2/27/2025
This bill, known as the RESTORE Act , establishes the National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program within the National Park Service. Its purpose is to identify, preserve, and commemorate historical Freedom Settlements, also known as Freedmen's Settlements or Black Towns, which were established by formerly enslaved African Americans after the Civil War as centers of self-sufficiency and resilience. The program authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to award grants for the identification, cultural and heritage preservation, restoration, and documentation of these settlements. Grants will also support capacity-building and educational programming, with eligible entities including property owners, governments, and community organizations. An annual appropriation of $3,000,000 is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to fund these initiatives. Key provisions include a mandate for the Secretary to conduct a Freedom Settlements Study to identify suitable sites and to maintain a comprehensive registry of verified settlements. A Freedom Settlements Advisory Committee will be established, comprising residents, descendants, and experts, to assist with the study and ensure community involvement. The legislation aims to honor the legacy of self-determination and community-building these settlements represent, addressing historical inequities and promoting a more complete understanding of American history. It ensures private property rights are protected by requiring owner consent for program inclusion.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4563
RESTORE Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2612
RESTORE Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1692
RESTORE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7895
RESTORE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3479
RESTORE Act of 2023
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 27, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
May 7, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1641
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4563
    RESTORE Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2612
    RESTORE Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1692
    RESTORE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7895
    RESTORE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3479
    RESTORE Act of 2023


  • February 27, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 27, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • May 7, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1641
    Introduced in Senate
Sydney Kamlager-Dove

Sydney Kamlager-Dove

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (13)
Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Advisory bodiesAlabamaCaliforniaFloridaGovernment studies and investigationsHistoric sites and heritage areasIllinoisKansasLouisianaMississippiMissouriNew York StateNorth CarolinaOklahomaParks, recreation areas, trailsRacial and ethnic relationsTexasU.S. historyVirginia