PSI Sci
New here? Follow the money and the votes · Not sure of your district? Find your U.S. House member · Find your state legislators

H.R. 4491: Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act

Before you vote › Federal bills

H.R. 4491: Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act

111th Congress · introduced 2010-01-21 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2010-01-21 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-12] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study alternatives for the commemoration and interpretation of the role of the Buffalo Soldiers (African-American troops who, in the late 19th century and early 20th century, came to be known as the Buffalo Soldiers) in the early years of the National Parks, which shall include: (1) a historical assessment of the Buffalo Soldiers who served in National Parks in the years before the establishment of the National Park Service (NPS); (2) an evaluation of the suitability and feasibility of establishing a national historic trail commemorating the route traveled by the Buffalo Soldiers from their post in the Presidio in San Francisco to the Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks and to any other National Parks where they may have served; (3) identification of properties that could meet criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or criteria for designation as National Historic Landmarks; and (4) an evaluation of ways of enhancing historical research, education, interpretation, and public awareness of the story of the Buffalo Soldiers' stewardship role in the National Parks, including linking the story of development of the Parks and the story of African-American military service following the Civil War. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress a report on the study's findings and recommendations.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House without amendment), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House without amendment)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

No AI explanation yet. It takes up to a minute to write and is then saved for everyone.

Limited to a few requests an hour per person.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Arguments against (opponents)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-12] · 54 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 4491, A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of alternatives for commemorating and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the National Parks, and for other purposes (2010-05-17); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 4491, A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of alternatives for commemorating and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the National Parks, and for other purposes (2010-05-17)

Cosponsors on this site

Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Jim Costa (D-CA), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Al Green (D-TX), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong111-hr4491 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111