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S. 2490: Blackwell School National Historic Site Act

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S. 2490: Blackwell School National Historic Site Act

117th Congress · introduced 2021-07-27 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · Latest: Became Public Law No: 117-206.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-07-27 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 444 (2022): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, S2490 (2022-09-20), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 117-206. (final step reached)
  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

Blackwell School National Historic Site Act

Plain summary

Blackwell School National Historic Site Act This bill establishes the Blackwell School National Historic Site in Texas as a unit of the National Park System. The purpose of the site is to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of present and future generations the Blackwell School, including (1) the role of the Blackwell School, which educated children of Mexican descent, as an academic and cultural cornerstone in Marfa, Texas; and (2) the function of the Blackwell School within a segregated system of education in Texas and the United States from the period of 1885 through 1965. The historic site shall not be established until the date on which the Department of the Interior has (1) entered into a written agreement with the Marfa Unified School District providing that the Blackwell School shall be donated to or placed by agreement into comanagement with the United States for inclusion in a national historic site to be managed consistently with the purposes of such a site, and (2) acquired sufficient land or interests in land within the boundaries of the historic site to constitute a manageable unit. Interior may only acquire by donation, purchase with donated funds, or exchange any land or interest in land located within the boundary of the historic site. The bill prohibits any private property or nonfederal public property from being included within the boundaries of the historic site or managed as part of such site without the written consent of the owner. Interior shall prepare a general management plan for the historic site.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), 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

Blackwell School National Historic Site Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Alex Padilla (D-CA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] reported raising $8.6 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-s2490 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117