S. 728 — African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Act

This section states 13 congressional findings concerning the African Burial Ground National Historic Landmark in New York, New York—including its interment of remains of up to 20,000 enslaved Africans and early-generation African Americans from the colonial era, its designation as a National Monument encompassing a 15,000-square-foot parcel bounded by Duane and Elk Streets in Lower Manhattan, and the site's suitability for an international memorial museum dedicated to victims of U.S. slavery in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, National Park Service, State of New York, City of New York, and private sector entities, modeled after the National Museum of the American Indian.

This section defines terms used in the Act, including Administrator (Administrator of the General Services Administration), Advisory Council (African Burial Ground Advisory Council established by section 7(a)), City (city of New York, New York), expansion property (property acquired by the Secretary under section 5(a)), Museum (African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center established by section 4(a)), National Landmark (African Burial Ground National Historic Landmark in the City), National Monument (African Burial Ground National Monument in the City), Secretary (Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service), and State (State of New York).

This section establishes the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center at the National Monument. The museum's purposes include serving as a permanent living memorial to the enslaved buried at the site and other enslaved Africans and African Americans; examining African cultural traditions brought to the United States by the enslaved; exploring the institution of slavery in the United States and other parts of the world; providing space for permanent and temporary exhibits and the collection and study of artifacts and documents; and encouraging collaboration with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, historically Black colleges and universities, historical societies, and other entities (e.g., on cooperative programs, collections management, and training). The museum shall become associated with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Advisory Council and the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

This section directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the General Services Administration Administrator, the advisory council, and entities such as the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation, to acquire property for the National African American Burial Ground International Memorial Museum at 22 Reade Street (adjacent to the African Burial Ground National Monument) or elsewhere in the African Burial Ground National Historic Landmark (other than that address); and to plan, design, and construct the museum on the acquired property, with the federal share covering two-thirds of total costs for acquisition, planning, design, construction, reconstruction, and renovation as applicable. The section authorizes the Secretary and Administrator to enter agreements with each other, New York City, New York State, and other parties for property acquisition by donation or other means (including purchase or long-term lease); and incorporates the expansion property into the National Monument for management as part thereof.

This section directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Advisory Council and the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation, to operate the Museum and authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Council, to (1) acquire artifacts for the Museum's collections; (2) dispose of collections with proceeds used for additions to the collections; (3) specify criteria for use of the collections and resources, including policies on programming, education, exhibitions, and research; (4) preserve, restore, and maintain the collections; (5) solicit and accept gifts, bequests, and devises of property to facilitate the Museum's work; (6) enter contracts to facilitate Museum operations; (7) administer the African Burial Ground National Monument as a unit of the National Park System in accordance with this Act and applicable National Park System laws; and (8) conduct other activities necessary to carry out the Act.

This section establishes the African Burial Ground Advisory Council within the Department of the Interior, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior and composed of nine specified ex officio members or designees (i.e., National Park Service Director, Smithsonian Institution Secretary, Administrator, State Governor, City Mayor, and Manhattan Borough President) plus 14 members appointed by the Secretary within 180 days of enactment (with initial appointments staggered as five one-year terms, five two-year terms, and four three-year terms). Council members (up to two terms, excluding vacancy fills) advise the Secretary on planning, design, construction, administration, operation, maintenance, and preservation of the Museum; ensure public input; and adopt bylaws, meeting at least twice annually (four times in the first year) with a majority quorum. Members serve without compensation but receive authorized travel expenses; the Secretary may add nonvoting members such as Members of Congress or local officials.

This section establishes the position of Director of the Museum, to be appointed by the Secretary taking into consideration recommendations of the Advisory Council, with duties to manage the Museum in accordance with policies established by the Secretary in consultation with the Council. It further authorizes the Secretary to appoint two employees to assist the Director without regard to civil service laws or federal classification and pay provisions.

This section authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to carry out the Act (except for museum site acquisition) of $15 million for FY2025 and such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year thereafter, and separately authorizes such sums as necessary to acquire the museum site under section 5. Funds remain available until expended and may be used to support the museum promoting the legacy of the African Burial Ground (a National Historic Landmark cemetery in New York City for enslaved and free Africans), including private fundraising, curriculum development and community outreach, establishing a visitor center with interactive exhibits, and ensuring long-term facility sustainability.