Bill

HR 481

A Resolution designating May 2, 2026, as "Negro Leagues Day" in Pennsylvania to remember the contributions African-American baseball players made to the game of baseball.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Anthony Bellmon and 19 co-sponsors

Designates May 2, 2026 as "Negro Leagues Day" in Pennsylvania to recognize and promote awareness of African-American players' contributions to baseball and the Negro Leagues.

Adopted

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · HR 481

Summary of Bill HR 481 (2025-2026 Session, Pennsylvania)

Title

A Resolution designating May 2, 2026, as "Negro Leagues Day" in Pennsylvania to remember the contributions African-American baseball players made to the game of baseball.

Purpose and Intent

To recognize and honor the historical contributions of African-American players to the sport of baseball, particularly those who participated in the Negro Leagues.
To designate a specific day in Pennsylvania (May 2, 2026) for statewide acknowledgment and reflection on this history.
To promote awareness of the Negro Leagues’ legacy and its impact on baseball, sports civil rights progress, and American cultural history.

Key Provisions

Establishes May 2, 2026, as "Negro Leagues Day" within Pennsylvania.
Encourages the erection or placement of public acknowledgments (implicit through designation) and promotion of awareness in public institutions, cultural organizations, and educational settings within the Commonwealth.
Serves as a formal expression of the Legislature’s recognition of the Negro Leagues and its players’ achievements and contributions.

Who/What Would Be Affected

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including state government agencies, public schools, libraries, museums, and cultural institutions, which may observe or recognize the designated day.
African-American baseball players who participated in the Negro Leagues, and their legacy, as the designation serves to memorialize their contributions.
General Pennsylvanians, educators, and community organizations who may coordinate observances, educational programming, or commemorative activities around May 2, 2026.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Referred to the Committee on Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development on April 15, 2026.
Legislative path: As a resolution, it designates a commemorative day rather than creating new law or funding mechanisms. Passage would typically require a simple majority in the chamber(s) considering the resolution.
No explicit fiscal appropriations or programmatic spending are described in the summary; any implementation would depend on accompanying actions by state agencies or educational/community partners.

Notable Context

The bill aligns with a broader public history and cultural heritage trend in which legislatures designate days or observances to honor significant contributors to American sports history and civil rights progress.
As a resolution, it concentrates on recognition and awareness; it does not mandate specific programs or funding, unless subsequent actions are pursued by affected entities.

If you’d like, I can add a brief glossary of terms (e.g., “Negro Leagues,” “resolution” vs. “bill”) or compare this designation to similar commemorations in other states.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.