S. 1304 — Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act

This section authorizes the National Museum of the American Latino (established within the Smithsonian Institution to illuminate Latino contributions to U.S. life, art, history, and culture) to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall (as defined in 40 U.S.C. 8902(a)), notwithstanding other laws including 40 U.S.C. 8908(c), and removes a prior limitation on such siting. The section (1) revises procedures under current law (20 U.S.C. 80u(g)(2)) for designating and transferring administrative jurisdiction over a Museum site under another federal agency's control, requiring notification to the agency head, prompt written notice by that head to specified congressional committees, and transfer of jurisdiction as soon as practicable thereafter; (2) revises the Board of Trustees' duties under current law (20 U.S.C. 80u(d)(2)(D)) to ensure Museum exhibits and programs accurately represent diverse Hispanic or Latino cultures, histories, events, and values by seeking maximum guidance from a broad array of knowledgeable and respected sources reflecting varied political viewpoints, ideologies, and lived experiences (with specified definitions); and (3) requires the Secretary of the Smithsonian to submit compliance reports to eight specified House and Senate committees within 120 days of enactment and every two years thereafter, describing actions on current exhibit/program revisions and future planning. These changes apply retroactively as if included in the underlying 2021 law (20 U.S.C. 80u).