H.R. 1330: Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act
Sponsor
Nicole Malliotakis
Republican · NY-11
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 13, 2025
Referred to House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review
Why it matters
Congress is moving to settle where the future Smithsonian Latino museum can go — and whether it can claim one of the most symbolic spots in Washington.
H.R. 1330 is a targeted but politically important update to the 2020 law that created the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino. Its biggest change is simple: it says the museum may be placed inside the "Reserve" of the National Mall, the highly protected core area where new museums are usually heavily restricted. That is a major symbolic upgrade, because location on the Mall can shape a museum’s visibility, visitor traffic, and national stature for decades.
The bill also makes it easier for the Smithsonian to use land controlled by another federal agency. Instead of requiring a more complicated process, it sets up a notice-and-transfer system: the Smithsonian picks a site, notifies the agency that controls it, Congress gets notified, and the transfer is supposed to happen as soon as practical. That could remove one of the biggest practical barriers to finding a final home for the museum.
Another major piece is about content. The bill directs the museum’s board to make sure exhibits and programs reflect a broad range of Hispanic and Latino cultures, histories, values, political viewpoints, and lived experiences. That language is clearly aimed at concerns that the museum could lean too heavily toward one ideological interpretation of Latino identity or U.S. history. It gives Congress a stronger oversight role by requiring reports every two years on how the museum is meeting that standard, including how it handles major exhibit revisions.
Politically, the bill mixes cultural recognition with culture-war guardrails. Supporters will see it as both elevating Latino history and promoting viewpoint diversity in a federally backed museum. Critics may question whether Congress is stepping too far into curatorial decisions or creating vague standards that could invite political pressure over exhibits. Either way, the bill shows that the fight over museums in Washington is not just about buildings — it is also about who gets represented, where, and on whose terms.
What does H.R. 1330 do?
Lets the museum be placed in the Mall’s core area
The bill allows the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino to be located within the Reserve, the most protected central part of the National Mall where new museums are usually restricted.
Removes an existing location limitation
It rewrites part of the 2020 museum law so the prior restriction that kept the museum out of the Reserve no longer applies.
Creates a path to use land held by another agency
If the Smithsonian chooses a site controlled by another federal agency, the agency must be notified, Congress must be informed, and the land or structure must be transferred to the Smithsonian as soon as practical.
Requires broader representation in exhibits
The museum’s board must make sure exhibits and programs accurately represent the wide range of Hispanic and Latino cultures, histories, events, values, political views, and lived experiences in the United States.
Defines who should guide exhibit planning
The bill tells museum leaders to seek advice from a broad mix of knowledgeable and respected sources, including people who reflect different viewpoints and community experiences.
Adds regular reports to Congress
The Smithsonian must report within 120 days of enactment and every two years after that on how the museum is meeting the bill’s exhibit and program requirements.
Who benefits from H.R. 1330?
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino
The museum gets more flexibility in choosing a prime location and a clearer process for securing a site.
Latino communities in the United States
Their histories and experiences could gain a more prominent national platform, especially if the museum is placed on a high-profile Mall site.
Museum visitors and students
They could get a more visible museum and a wider range of stories and perspectives about Latino life in America.
Members of Congress seeking oversight
They gain formal reporting requirements and more visibility into how exhibits are developed and revised.
Who is affected by H.R. 1330?
Smithsonian leadership and museum trustees
They would face new legal expectations on siting, exhibit development, source selection, and regular reporting to Congress.
Federal agencies controlling possible museum sites
They may have to transfer land or buildings to the Smithsonian after being notified that a site under their control has been selected.
National Mall planners and preservation advocates
They would have to grapple with the precedent of allowing another museum inside the Reserve, an area usually protected from new construction.
Historians, curators, and community advisers
They could play a larger role in shaping exhibits, but may also face more political scrutiny over what counts as balanced representation.
H.R. 1330 Common Questions
Can the Smithsonian Latino museum be built on the National Mall Reserve?
Yes. Under the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act, the museum may be located within the "Reserve" on the National Mall despite the usual restriction on new museums there (Section 2(a)(1)).
Does H.R. 1330 remove the ban that kept the Latino museum out of the Reserve?
Yes. According to H.R. 1330 Section 2(a)(2), it amends the 2020 museum law to strike the prior text that barred the museum from the Reserve.
What are the deadlines for Smithsonian Latino museum reports to Congress?
Under the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act, the Smithsonian must report within 120 days of enactment and every 2 years after that (Section 2(d)).
Can the Smithsonian take over land from another federal agency for the Latino museum?
Yes. Under H.R. 1330, if the Board of Regents designates a site controlled by another federal agency, that agency must transfer jurisdiction to the Smithsonian as soon as practicable after Congress is notified (Section 2(b)).
Which congressional committees must be notified if another federal agency's land is chosen for the Latino museum?
According to H.R. 1330 Section 2(b), notice goes to 7 committees: Senate Rules, Senate Appropriations, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, House Administration, House Natural Resources, House Transportation and Infrastructure, and House Appropriations.
Does the bill require the Latino museum to include different political viewpoints in exhibits?
Yes. Under the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act, the Board must ensure exhibits and programs accurately and comprehensively reflect varied cultures, histories, values, and political viewpoints (Section 2(c)).
What counts as a "broad array of knowledgeable and respected sources" for the Latino museum?
According to H.R. 1330 Section 2(c), it means experts and publications representing a spectrum of Hispanic or Latino communities, viewpoints, political ideologies, cultures, and lived experiences in the U.S.
Does the Latino museum have to seek outside guidance before changing major exhibits?
Yes. Under the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act, the Board must use guidance from diverse sources when creating and making substantial revisions to exhibits and programs (Section 2(c)).
Who sends the Latino museum compliance reports to Congress?
The Secretary of the Smithsonian sends them. H.R. 1330 Section 2(d) assigns the reporting duty to the Smithsonian Secretary, covering compliance with the exhibit and program requirements.
Does H.R. 1330 take effect retroactively as part of the 2020 Latino museum law?
Yes. Under the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act, the changes take effect as if they had been included in the 2020 law that created the museum (Section 2(e)).
Based on H.R. 1330 bill text
HR1330 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Feb 13, 2025
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
About the Sponsor
Nicole Malliotakis
Republican, New York's 11th congressional district · 5 years in Congress
Committees: Joint Economic Committee, Ways and Means
View full profile →
Cosponsors (126)
This bill has 126 cosponsors: 90 Democrats, 36 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 34 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, and 31 more.
Adriano Espaillat
Democrat · NY
Monica De La Cruz
Republican · TX
Debbie Dingell
Democrat · MI
Tony Gonzales
Republican · TX
Nydia Velázquez
Democrat · NY
David Schweikert
Republican · AZ
Claudia Tenney
Republican · NY
Cliff Bentz
Republican · OR
Brian Fitzpatrick
Republican · PA
Nicholas Langworthy
Republican · NY
Michael Lawler
Republican · NY
Gus Bilirakis
Republican · FL
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Natural Resources Committee
13 of 43 committee members cosponsored
Committee on House Administration
3 of 12 committee members cosponsored
28 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 1330 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Natural Resources
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Arts, Culture, Religion
- Introduced
- Feb 13, 2025
Referred to House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review
Feb 13, 2025
Official Sources
Official bill text, cosponsors, and legislative history for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act
The museum's official page describing its mission, current status, and plans for a permanent building on or near the National Mall
The National Capital Planning Commission's page on the Mall and the Reserve no-build zone that this bill would open to the Latino museum
The federal master plan identifying 100 potential memorial and museum sites — the planning framework this bill's siting change works within
Interactive map showing the boundaries of the National Mall Reserve where this bill would allow the Latino museum to be built
The full text of the 2020 statute this bill amends, including the original siting restrictions and museum governance structure
The National Park Service page for the National Mall, the area where the museum would be sited under this bill
One of the two committees this bill was referred to — has jurisdiction over the Smithsonian Institution
Who is lobbying on H.R. 1330?
1 organization lobbying on this bill
AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY | 6 |
Showing 1-1 of 1 organizations
H.R. 1330 Bill Text
“To permit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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