Bills · HR 1546
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1546Finance and Financial Sector
Erie Canal Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act
INTRO FEB 24· LAST ACTION FEB 24
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
9BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it uses a popular method, commemorative coins, to raise money for a specific historical and cultural landmark without relying on general taxpayer funds. If this bill passes, the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund would receive a dedicated stream of funding, enabling them to expand efforts to preserve the Erie Canal, develop educational programs, and improve recreational opportunities along its 363-mile route. This directly impacts the upkeep and public engagement with a significant piece of American history.
Without this bill, the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund would miss out on a potential source of revenue for its mission. The bill highlights the historical importance of the Erie Canal in shaping the nation's industrial revolution, settlement, and social movements, offering a tangible way to celebrate and support its legacy for future generations.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative coins in 2026 to honor the bicentennial of the Erie Canal.
This officially recognizes and celebrates a significant historical landmark through a tangible collectible item.
PROVISION 02
Authorizes the production of up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins, each with specific design requirements.
This provides various options for collectors and ensures the coins accurately reflect the Erie Canal's legacy.
PROVISION 03
Establishes surcharges on the sale of each coin ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar) to be paid to the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund, Inc.
This creates a dedicated funding source for the preservation, education, and promotion of the Erie Canal without using taxpayer money.
PROVISION 04
Ensures that minting and issuing these coins will not result in any net cost to the United States Government and that all production costs are recovered before surcharge funds are distributed.
This protects taxpayers from financial liability for the commemorative coin program.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 9
R· New York
YRS IN OFFICE
9
BILLS LED
80
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 88%
DEM 4 REP 5 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 24
Introduced in House
FEB 24
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 1546
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 24, 2025
Last actionFeb 24, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 24, 2025
House BillHR 1546Finance and Financial Sector
Erie Canal Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act
INTRODUCED FEB 24, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 24, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
9
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
