Derek Schmidt (R-KS)
Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
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, known as the ``Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act'', seeks to designate the Quindaro Townsite in Kansas City, Kansas, as a National Historic Landmark. The town was founded in 1857 to aid the Free-State movement and served as a key site for the Underground Railroad. The legislation allows the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with various entities to protect historic resources and provide educational programs. Additionally, the Secretary may provide technical and financial assistance to those involved in these agreements. The act specifies that this designation does not restrict the actions of property owners or the administration of the site by the State or local government.
Yes· 3 of 21
- Scored +5
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
Directly honors the history of enslaved people and the Underground Railroad.
- Scored +4
Would students be better off under this?
Directly provides educational facilities and programs for public learning.
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Increased tourism and federal funding can boost local businesses.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill allows for federal financial assistance to cooperative agreements.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Historic Resources: Through cooperative agreements, the Secretary may work with public or private entities to protect the historical resources of the site (Section 4(b)(1)(A)).
-
Educational Opportunities: The bill allows for the creation of educational and interpretive facilities and programs for the public at the Landmark (Section s 4(b)(1)(B)).
-
Financial and Technical Support: The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to provide technical and financial assistance to entities that enter into cooperative agreements for the site (Section 4(b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are identified in the text: The bill includes provisions to ensure that the designation does not prohibit any actions that a property owner might otherwise take with respect to their property (Section 4(c)), nor does it affect the administration of the Landmark by the State or Kansas City (Section 4(d)).
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 Black Americans be better off under this? — Directly honors the history of enslaved people and the Underground Railroad. Would students be better off under this? — Directly provides educational facilities and programs for public learning. Would business owners be better off under this? — Increased tourism and federal funding can boost local businesses. Would children be better off under this? — Creates educational and interpretive facilities for students and children. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Benefits residents of Kansas City, Kansas through site preservation and tourism. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Provides educational opportunities and potential employment in tourism/archaeology. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Potential for local job creation in the service and tourism sector. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Supports local property owners and business owners in the area. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — General community improvement and educational access. Would retired people be better off under this? — Increases access to historical and cultural landmarks. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Supports the preservation of historic Kansas sites. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Provides cultural and historical sites for visitation. Would white Americans be better off under this? — General benefit from historical preservation and local economic growth.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Designates and provides for the protection of historic resources at the townsite. Does this invest in rural communities? — Investment in a historic townsite supports local community development.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Historic landmark status can stimulate local tourism and economic activity. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Increased tourism from the landmark designation can benefit local small businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — Designation and subsequent tourism/educational development may create local jobs. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill allows for federal financial assistance to cooperative agreements.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill highlights the potential for archaeological discoveries and funding for preservation.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Recognizes the history of the Underground Railroad and the struggle against slavery.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases federal involvement in the designation and support of a local site.
- 9/10/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 4/14/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas