H.R. 10131 – National Archives Protection Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated August 22, 2026 at 5:21 AM UTC

The National Archives Protection Act would change the law governing federal records centers to stop the National Archives from shutting them down or severely limiting public access. It also limits any major renovation that would require moving records for more than six months. The bill applies to all archive and records facilities that existed before the law takes effect and is aimed at preserving public access to government records.

Key Provisions

Adds a new prohibition that the Archivist cannot close or place unreasonable access restrictions on any existing federal records center or archive facility.
Bars the Archivist from reconstructing, converting, or rehabilitating such facilities if the work would require relocating records for longer than 180 days.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

August 20, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

August 20, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

August 20, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued August 20, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10131

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 20, 2026

Mr. Mullin (for himself, Ms. Chu, Mr. García of Illinois, Ms. Jayapal, Ms. Matsui, and Mr. Khanna) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

A BILL

To amend title 44, United States Code, to prohibit the closure of Federal records centers, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the National Archives Protection Act.

2.

Prohibiting the closure of federal records centers

Section 2907 of title 44, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by striking The and inserting

(a)

In general

The

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(b)

Prohibition

The Archivist may not—

(1)

close or impose unreasonable restrictions on public access to any record center or archive facility established before the date of the enactment of this subsection; or

(2)

reconstruct, convert, or rehabilitate any such center or facility if doing so would require the relocation of records for more than 180 days.

.