A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is cited as the Public Archives Resiliency Act. It authorizes grants to support long-term resiliency for archival institutions, libraries, and museums. The goal is to provide continuity and access to covered records. The Archivist of the United States and the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services will award these grants on a competitive basis. The bill authorizes appropriations of $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
Yes· 3 of 16
- Scored +4
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill explicitly reserves at least 3 percent of funds for Indian Tribes and non-profit organizations representing Native Hawaiians.
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill improves preservation, digitization, and access to vital government and historical records for the public.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Rural communities and local institutions are eligible for grants to protect records from natural disasters and improve digital access.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill authorizes $250 million in federal appropriations, increasing government spending and debt.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill appropriates $250 million for grant programs, thereby increasing federal expenditures.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Eligible entities do not have to provide matching funds or a non-Federal share toward the cost of the activities carried out with funds under this Act, as stated in Section 3(b). This is a positive outcome because it removes financial barriers for organizations that may not have extra money to qualify for federal help.
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Not less than 3 percent of the funds are reserved for Indian Tribes and non-profit organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians, according to Section 2(b)(3). This ensures specific groups receive dedicated support for their records and archives.
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Grant funds can be used for facility infrastructure upgrades to protect facilities that house covered records from extreme temperatures, storms, flooding, wildfires, and other weather events under Section 2(d)(2). This protects historically and culturally significant materials from being destroyed by natural disasters.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
The provided text does not contain explicit details regarding potential negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly reserves at least 3 percent of funds for Indian Tribes and non-profit organizations representing Native Hawaiians. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural communities and local institutions are eligible for grants to protect records from natural disasters and improve digital access. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Removing matching fund requirements ensures that under-resourced communities and organizations can benefit without financial strain. Would students be better off under this? — Students and researchers benefit from improved access to digitized historical records and enhanced library and archive facilities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill supports emergency preparedness, disaster response planning networks, and facility protections against extreme weather events. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill funds facility infrastructure upgrades and adaptation plans to protect archives from extreme weather and climate impacts. Does this invest in rural communities? — Rural and Tribal communities are eligible for grants to protect local records and improve facility resilience.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — Grant funds can be used to provide internet and broadband connectivity equipment for digital record storage. Does this put more money into public schools? — Public libraries, museums, and institutions of higher education are eligible to receive grant funds for infrastructure and digitization. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill authorizes the Comptroller General to conduct a comprehensive study on record vulnerabilities and safe harbor institutions.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill improves preservation, digitization, and access to vital government and historical records for the public. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes a new federal grant program administered by the Archivist of the United States and the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Nonprofit and community-based organizations are eligible for grants to support facility and infrastructure upgrades. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides grant funding that can be used for necessary staffing to support record continuity and digitization. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investing in infrastructure upgrades and technological resources for local institutions provides a modest boost to community economic activity. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill appropriates $250 million for grant programs, thereby increasing federal expenditures. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes $250 million in federal appropriations, increasing government spending and debt.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill specifically reserves funds for Indian Tribes and organizations representing Native Hawaiians to support their archives and language preservation.
- 11/10/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate