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H.R. 4706 117th Congress House

Blackwell School National Historic Site Act

Official title: To establish the Blackwell School National Historic Site in Marfa, Texas, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 27, 2021 Introduced by: Tony Gonzales Republican · Texas See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Educational facilities and institutionsElementary and secondary educationHistoric sites and heritage areasLand transfers
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Racial and ethnic relationsTexas
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 17 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 9, 2021
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Dec 8, 2021
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 8, 2021
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 8 (Roll no. 429).
Dec 8, 2021
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7546)
Dec 1, 2021
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Dec 1, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4706.
Dec 1, 2021
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6740-6741; text: CR H6740)
Dec 1, 2021
Ms. Leger Fernandez moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Dec 1, 2021
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 142.
Dec 1, 2021
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-198.
Nov 17, 2021
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Nov 17, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Nov 17, 2021
Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Discharged.
Oct 14, 2021
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Aug 14, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
Jul 27, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jul 27, 2021
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Dec 8, 2021 House · vote #429 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 417–8 See who voted →
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 Latest action December 9, 2021

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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 to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of present and future generations the Blackwell School, its role as both an academic and cultural cornerstone in the community in Marfa, Texas, and its function within a segregated system of education in Texas and the United States from 1885-1965.

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.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 2490 Blackwell School National Historic Site Act
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4706: Blackwell School National Historic Site Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4706/
MLA
"H.R. 4706: Blackwell School National Historic Site Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4706/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4706, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4706/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4706: Blackwell School National Historic Site Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4706/)
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