I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8502 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource 
study of the site formerly known as ‘‘Rosewood’’, located in Levy County, 
Florida, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 1, 2020 
Mr. YOHO (for himself, Mr. SOTO, Mr. RUTHERFORD, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, Mr. 
SPANO, Mr. LAWSON of Florida, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. HASTINGS, Ms. 
SHALALA, and Ms. FRANKEL) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
special resource study of the site formerly known as 
‘‘Rosewood’’, located in Levy County, Florida, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Rosewood Study Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds as follows: 
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(1) The town of Rosewood was originally sur-
veyed in 1847 in Levy County, Florida, and quickly 
became a majority minority community. 
(2) On January 1, 1923, a young married 
White woman from a neighboring town falsely ac-
cused an African-American man of assault. 
(3) This accusation started a riot and the ma-
jority of Rosewood was burned to the ground. 
(4) This riot led to an unjust massacre and 
death toll that is still unknown. 
(5) Survivors were forced to flee to the woods 
and ultimately resettle around the State of Florida. 
(6) The town of Rosewood never recovered from 
this event. 
(7) The Governor of Florida was notified of the 
events, but did not intervene. 
(8) A small attempt was eventually made to in-
dict locals by a grand jury, but this was unsuccess-
ful. 
(9) This tragedy went unnoticed by those who 
were not immediately affected for almost 60 years, 
until 1982 when a reporter for the Saint Petersburg 
Times began to investigate the massacre. 
(10) In 1993, the State of Florida formally in-
vestigated the event and eventually passed a law 
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issuing compensation for the losses to the victims 
and creating a scholarship fund. 
(11) Violence and prejudice have no place in 
our society. 
(12) Our society cannot be complacent in sense-
less acts of violence. 
(13) In order to learn from history, our society 
must make sure to remember it. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(2) STUDY
AREA.—The term ‘‘study area’’ 
means the site formerly known as ‘‘Rosewood’’, 
‘‘grounds of the Rosewood massacre’’, and ‘‘State 
Road 24, Rosewood’’ located in Levy County, Flor-
ida. 
SEC. 4. ROSEWOOD SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date on which funds are first made available for this pur-
pose, the Secretary shall complete a special resource study 
of the study area. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study pursuant to 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall— 
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(1) evaluate the national significance of the 
study area; 
(2) determine the suitability and feasibility of 
designating the study area as a unit of the National 
Park System; 
(3) consider other alternatives for preservation, 
protection, and interpretation of the study area by 
the Federal Government, State or local government 
entities, or private and nonprofit organizations; 
(4) consult with interested Federal agencies, 
State or local governmental entities, private and 
nonprofit organizations, or any other interested indi-
viduals; and 
(5) identify cost estimates for any Federal ac-
quisition, development, interpretation, operation, and 
maintenance associated with the alternatives de-
scribed in paragraphs (2) and (3). 
(c) APPLICABLE LAW.—Except as provided by sub-
section (a), the study required by subsection (a) shall be 
conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, 
United States Code. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
on which funds are first made available to carry out the 
study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Rep-
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resentatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate a report that describes— 
(1) the results of the study; and 
(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the 
Secretary. 
Æ 
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