Bill
HR 250
Directs incorporation of a Benjamin Franklin statue in the U.S. Capitol with deadlines to finalize an agreement by end of 2025 and place the statue by end of 2026.
Note on source material
- The document you provided appears to conflate several distinct legislative texts and resolutions from different jurisdictions. The header lists a short commendation (for Charity Boney), but the body contains (a) a federal provision about a Benjamin Franklin statue, (b) an Illinois House resolution honoring Henrietta Lacks, and (c) a Georgia House Resolution proposing a state constitutional amendment on property appraisal. The procedural history and sponsor lists likewise appear mixed. Below are concise, separate summaries of each distinct text found in the materials, and a short procedural/status recap and recommendation.
Purpose and intent
- Directs the Joint Committee on the Library (Congress) to obtain and place a statue of Benjamin Franklin in the U.S. Capitol.
Key provisions
- By December 31, 2025: Joint Committee must enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Benjamin Franklin under terms consistent with law.
- By December 31, 2026: The statue must be placed in a suitable permanent location in the U.S. Capitol and be accessible to the public during guided tours provided by the Capitol Visitor Center.
Who is affected
- Joint Committee on the Library (implementation), Capitol Visitor Center (public access), and visitors to the U.S. Capitol.
Timeline / impact
- Two firm deadlines (agreement by end of 2025; placement by end of 2026). No appropriation details included in the text provided.
Purpose and intent
- Honors the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks, recognizes family members and advocates, and urges support for community-based research and equitable clinical research.
Key provisions / findings
- Recites Henrietta Lacks’ biography and the scientific importance of HeLa cells (used widely in medical research).
- Recognizes Alfred “Lacks” Carter Jr. for preserving Lacks’ legacy and advocacy.
- Urges support for community-based research and education programs and for clinical research to reduce health disparities and improve treatments.
Who is affected
- Lacks family and advocates, communities affected by disparities in clinical research participation, public health and research stakeholders in Illinois.
Procedural / status notes (from provided history)
- The resolution was placed on calendars, adopted, enrolled, and presented to the Secretary of State (dates in March–June 2025 in the provided actions).
Purpose and intent
- Proposes a state constitutional amendment authorizing county (or consolidated government) option to use an alternative appraisal method that relies on most recent sales price for property valuation for ad valorem taxation.
Key provisions
- Authorizes governing authority of any county to adopt an alternative appraisal/assessment method by ordinance/resolution; option may be conditioned on voter approval in a referendum.
- If adopted, initial appraised fair market value is the value shown on the county tax digest as of Jan 1 following adoption; thereafter, appraised value = most recent purchase price unless a “substantial improvement” occurs.
- “Substantial improvement” defined as construction/addition/replacement increasing fair market value by more than $50,000 (triggering reappraisal).
- Revocation by the governing authority not permitted within five years of initial effectiveness.
- Method must be uniform for all real property in the county; properties appraised by this method are assessed at same rate/percentage as other tangible property.
- Implementation and administration to be provided by general law consistent with this subparagraph.
- Ballot language provided for voter ratification under state constitutional procedures.
Intended benefits (as stated in preamble)
- Greater transparency, reduced ambiguity and appeals, lower administrative costs, earlier digest availability, a more predictable digest, reduced need for value-capping exemptions, and assistance addressing gentrification pressures.
Who is affected
- Property owners, county tax assessors, local taxing authorities, and the state’s property tax administration processes. Adoption would be optional at county level but, if chosen, apply uniformly across that county.
Procedural / timeline
- This is a proposed amendment to the Georgia Constitution and would require voter ratification to become effective. The text includes the ballot language and follows the Article X submission process.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
