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H.R. 7549: National Council on African American History and Culture Act of 2026

This bill proposes the establishment of a National Council on African American History and Culture under the National Endowment for the Humanities. The primary objectives of the council include the preservation and celebration of African American history and culture. Here are the key components of the bill:

Establishment of the Council

The bill creates a National Council on African American History and Culture, which will operate within the National Endowment for the Humanities. This council is intended to enhance efforts in documenting, preserving, and promoting African American history and culture nationwide.

Membership

Composition: The council will consist of 12 members, all appointed by the President of the United States with the Senate's approval.
Qualifications: Members must have a significant knowledge of or commitment to African American history and culture, cannot be current federal employees, and should have a record of distinguished service or scholarship.
Representation: The bill specifies that membership should include equitable representation of women, people of color, and individuals with disabilities, as well as a balanced political representation, with six members from the Democratic party and six from the Republican party.
Leadership: The council will have a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson, designated by the President from among its members, ensuring that they are not affiliated with the same political party.
Term Length: Members will serve terms of five years, with some initial appointees serving shorter terms to stagger the membership. Members cannot be reappointed for two years after their term ends.

Duties of the Council

The council will have several responsibilities:

Prepare annual reports on the work of the National Endowment for the Humanities regarding the preservation of African American history and culture.
Collect and analyze information about historical developments and cultural trends in African American history, assessing efforts by museums and other organizations.
Evaluate the National Endowment for the Humanities' programs and make recommendations to enhance their contributions to African American history and culture preservation.
Develop and recommend national policies that support the understanding and celebration of African American history and contributions to American life.
Provide studies and recommendations as requested by the Chairperson regarding cultural preservation and African American history.

Operational Guidelines

Quorum: The council requires nine members to be present to conduct meetings and hearings.
Meetings: The council should meet at least twice a year, with additional meetings as called by the Chairperson.

Compensation and Expenses

Members of the council will receive compensation based on specific federal pay rates and will be reimbursed for travel expenses according to government guidelines.

Duration and Applicability

The council is set to terminate 10 years after the bill is enacted.
The provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) regarding termination do not apply to this council.