Bill > HR959

This bill, titled the Medgar Evers House Study Act, directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive study of the home of civil rights leader Medgar Evers in Jackson, Mississippi, to determine its national significance and whether it should become a unit of the National Park System (NPS), which is a federal agency responsible for preserving natural and cultural resources for public enjoyment. The study will assess the feasibility and suitability of such a designation, consider alternative preservation methods by various government or private entities, and consult with relevant stakeholders. It will also examine the potential impact of an NPS designation on existing commercial and recreational activities, as well as on the ability of state and local governments to manage those activities. Furthermore, the study will identify any legal authorities, including the power of condemnation (the government's right to take private property for public use with just compensation), that the Department of the Interior might use to influence local land use decisions or restrict private land use if the home becomes part of the NPS. Finally, the Secretary must submit the study's findings, along with any recommendations, to Congress within three years of receiving funding.