Overview
Title
To establish the Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site in the State of Florida, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill is about making a special place in Florida, called the Jackie Robinson Ballpark, an important site to remember the history of African American civil rights. It gives people in charge the power to work with others to teach people about it, but without taking land or changing any property rules.
Summary AI
H. R. 8012 proposes the establishment of the Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site in Daytona Beach, Florida. The bill aims to make the site part of the African American Civil Rights Network, although it will not be a unit of the National Park System. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to work with public or private entities for educational purposes but cannot interfere with private property rights or acquire land through condemnation. A special study will be conducted to assess the site’s national importance and explore options for its preservation and management.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
H.R. 8012, titled the "Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Act," aims to designate the Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida, as a National Commemorative Site. The act acknowledges the importance of the site in the context of African American civil rights, incorporating it into the African American Civil Rights Network. However, the site will not be listed as a unit within the National Park System. Instead, the Secretary of the Interior is empowered to form cooperative agreements with various entities to promote educational and interpretative services regarding the site's significance.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the primary issues with this bill is related to financial transparency and accountability. The bill allows the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements for interpretive and educational purposes but does not specify funding sources or budgetary limits, raising concerns about potential undefined or mismanaged spending. The vague nature of the cooperative agreements could lead to ineffective use of funds.
Another significant concern is the bill's decision not to include the ballpark as a member of the National Park System. This exclusion could hinder the site's preservation and its benefits to the public if appropriate protections or financing are not in place. Furthermore, while the bill authorizes a study to evaluate the site's national significance, it lacks clarity on the criteria for this evaluation and does not allocate specific resources for conducting the study.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the bill's designation of the Jackie Robinson Ballpark as a commemorative site reflects recognition of its historical importance, which may enhance public appreciation and educational opportunities concerning African American civil rights. However, without clear funding mechanisms and criteria for the site's evaluation, public engagement could be compromised, potentially leading to a missed opportunity to meaningfully educate and involve the community in preserving a significant historical site.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For local governments and nearby residents, there may be concerns regarding the absence of clear guidelines on how cooperative agreements will affect private properties and local zoning laws. This ambiguity might limit the site's development and integration into the local community.
From the perspective of preservationists and historians, not being part of the National Park System could mean fewer resources and protections for the ballpark, potentially jeopardizing the long-term maintenance of its historical elements. However, it could also offer flexibility for local stakeholders to tailor maintenance and educational programs to better fit community needs without the constraints of federal regulations.
Overall, the meaningful designation of the Jackie Robinson Ballpark as a commemorative site is an opportunity to honor and educate about civil rights history, yet several areas within the bill require greater clarification to ensure its goals are achieved effectively and sustainably.
Issues
The bill does not specify the budget or funding sources for the cooperative agreements, which could lead to concerns about undefined spending. This is outlined in Section 2, subsection (d)(1), where the Secretary is allowed to enter into cooperative agreements without clear financial guidelines or limitations.
The designation of the site as not being a unit of the National Park System, outlined in Section 2, subsection (d)(2), could potentially result in a lack of protection or funding, compromising preservation efforts, which may affect both the site's integrity and its sustained public benefit.
The terms of cooperation with public or private entities for interpretative and educational purposes, as per Section 2, subsection (d)(1), are vague and could be used to direct funds inappropriately or ineffectively, raising ethical and potential misuse issues.
The bill authorizes the Secretary to conduct a special resource study to evaluate the national significance of the site, mentioned in Section 2, subsection (e), but does not provide specific funding or resources to do so, which could limit the feasibility and reliability of conducting the study properly.
The study mandates evaluation of the site's national significance but does not specify criteria for evaluation in Section 2, subsection (e), which may lead to arbitrary or inconsistent conclusions affecting subsequent decisions about the site's status.
The language regarding limitations on the Secretary's authority to acquire land or affect zoning, clarified in Section 2, subsection (d)(3), could lead to concerns about how this affects the site's long-term preservation and development opportunities.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides the short title for the Act, which is called the “Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Act.”
2. Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida, is designated as a national commemorative site and included in the African American Civil Rights Network, but it will not become a part of the National Park System. The Secretary of the Interior can make cooperative agreements for educational purposes and will study the site's significance, but cannot interfere with property rights or acquire land without permission.