Bill > HR1704

This bill establishes the National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program within the National Park Service to recognize, document, and support historically significant communities established by formerly enslaved African Americans after the Civil War. The bill acknowledges the critical history of Freedmen's Settlements, which were self-sustaining communities created between 1866 and 1930 as safe havens from racial violence and economic discrimination. The program will provide grants to eligible entities like property owners, local governments, and community organizations to support identification, preservation, research, capacity-building, and educational programming about these settlements. Key provisions include creating a comprehensive registry of Freedom Settlements, conducting a national study to identify important sites, establishing an advisory committee composed of residents, descendants, and experts in African American history, and authorizing $3 million annually from 2026 to 2031 to support these efforts. The bill emphasizes the importance of these settlements as integral to understanding American history and the ongoing struggle for racial equity, with a focus on voluntary participation and protecting private property rights. The program aims to honor the legacy of self-determination and community-building while creating models for sustainable, equitable community development.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1704/all-info