Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)
Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 21 cosponsors
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 4.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Reauthorization Act'', aims to amend the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018. It seeks to strengthen the powers of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board. The legislation establishes a sense of Congress that records regarding civil rights cold cases should be subject to a presumption of immediate disclosure to inform the public. Additionally, it allows for the reimbursement of state or local governments for expenses related to digitizing or mailing records. The bill also adjusts the requirements for transmitting records and modifies certain privacy exemptions for records created on or before January 1, 1990. Finally, it extends the tenure of the Review Board members from seven years to eleven years.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill establishes a presumption of immediate disclosure for civil rights cold case records to increase public knowledge.
- Scored +6
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill enhances transparency and access to records related to civil rights cold cases, which can aid in addressing historical injustices.
- Scored +5
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill's focus on civil rights cold cases may disproportionately benefit the investigation of historically relevant incidents.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill modifies the application of privacy protections regarding civil rights cold case records.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Public Right to Information: The bill expresses a sense of Congress that all federal, state, and local government records regarding civil rights cold cases should carry a presumption of immediate disclosure so the public can be fully informed about the history of these cases (Section 2(a)).
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Financial Relief for Local Governments: The Review Board may reimburse state or local governments in full for expenses such as digitizing, photocopying, or mailing civil rights cold case records when they are sent to the Archivist (Section 2(b)).
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Streamlined Record Transmission: The amendment removes certain language regarding state or local government exceptions to facilitate the transmission of records to the Collection (Section 2(c)).
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Increased Accessibility of Older Records: The bill modifies exceptions for information contained in civil rights cold case records created on or before January 1, 1990 (Section 2(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly identified within the provided text.
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes a presumption of immediate disclosure for civil rights cold case records to increase public knowledge. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the Review Board's authority and changes how records are transmitted to the collection. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill modifies the application of privacy protections regarding civil rights cold case records.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill enhances transparency and access to records related to civil rights cold cases, which can aid in addressing historical injustices.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill's focus on civil rights cold cases may disproportionately benefit the investigation of historically relevant incidents.
- 8/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/20/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 4.
- 5/12/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/12/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/26/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/2/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/27/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/13/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/10/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 6/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/29/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
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