Selena Commemorative Coin Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2834
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-19T14:30:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, titled the "Selena Commemorative Coin Act," aims to honor Selena Quintanilla, a influential Tejano music artist from South Texas, by directing the U.S. Treasury to create and sell special commemorative coins. It recognizes her contributions to music, culture, and public service, as detailed in congressional findings about her life, awards (including a Grammy), albums, philanthropy, and posthumous honors like a statue and postage stamp.
Key Provisions
- Coin Types and Limits:
- Up to 50,000 $5 gold coins (8.359 grams, 0.850 inches diameter, at least 90% gold).
- Up to 400,000 $1 silver coins (26.73 grams, 1.500 inches diameter, at least 90% silver).
- Up to 750,000 half-dollar clad coins (11.34 grams, 1.205 inches diameter, standard composition under U.S. law).
- Design Requirements:
- Designs must symbolize Selena's life and achievements, with at least one side (obverse) featuring her image.
- Each coin includes the denomination, year "2029," and standard U.S. inscriptions: "Liberty," "In God We Trust," "United States of America," and "E Pluribus Unum."
- Designs selected by the Treasury Secretary after consulting the Friends of the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, and reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (a panel advising on coin designs).
- Issuance and Sales:
- Coins issued only in 2029, in uncirculated (standard finish) and proof (high-quality, polished) versions.
- Sold at a price covering face value, surcharges, and production costs (including design, materials, labor, marketing, and shipping).
- Bulk sales and prepaid orders available at discounts.
- Surcharges and Proceeds:
- $35 per $5 coin, $10 per $1 coin, $5 per half-dollar coin.
- Surcharges go to the Friends of the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History for museum operations and a Selena exhibit, after audits and recovery of all production costs.
- Subject to annual limits on commemorative coin programs (no more than two per year) to avoid exceeding legal caps.
- Legal Status:
- Coins are legal tender (acceptable for debts) but treated as numismatic items (collectibles, not for everyday circulation).
- Financial Safeguards:
- Ensures no net cost to the federal government; surcharges not disbursed until all costs are recovered.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill authorizes a new commemorative coin program under existing U.S. Code (Title 31, sections on currency), without altering broader laws on minting or coin production. It adds specific requirements for this program, such as design consultations and surcharge distribution, while adhering to caps on annual commemorative issuances and financial recovery rules. No fundamental changes to coin standards or Treasury operations are introduced.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint (part of the Treasury) will handle production and sales, with built-in protections to avoid taxpayer costs. It may increase administrative workload for design approvals and audits but generates revenue through surcharges.
- On Citizens: Provides collectors and Selena fans an opportunity to purchase limited-edition coins as tributes, potentially boosting cultural awareness of Tejano heritage. No direct effects on everyday currency use.
- On International Relations: Minimal impact, though it could subtly promote U.S. recognition of Latin American cultural influences (Selena's music had cross-border appeal).
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Department of the Treasury and U.S. Mint: Responsible for minting, designing, selling, and ensuring financial compliance.
- Friends of the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History: Primary beneficiary of surcharges for museum programs and a Selena exhibit.
- Selena Quintanilla's Fans and the Tejano Community: Indirectly honored through cultural recognition; may include Latinas and young artists inspired by her legacy.
- Numismatic Collectors: Potential buyers of these limited coins.
- Congressional Committees: The House Financial Services Committee oversees initial referral and implementation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with established frameworks for commemorative coins (e.g., no net federal cost, audit requirements), ensuring compliance without new regulatory burdens. Surcharge limits prevent over-issuance of programs.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; falls under Congress's enumerated power to coin money (Article I, Section 8) and honors a private citizen without endorsing religion or speech.
- Political: Symbolizes bipartisan cultural tribute to a Texas icon, potentially fostering goodwill in Hispanic communities and highlighting Tejano music's role in American culture. Could set precedent for future artist commemoratives if successful.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Selena Commemorative Coin Act — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (9 pages)