HR 7618
American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026
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Bill overview
This bill extends three grant programs administered by the National Park Service (NPS) that support the preservation of American battlefields. Specifically, it extends the grant authorizations through fiscal year 2036, providing more time for battlefield acquisition, interpretation modernization, and restoration. The bill also directs the NPS to conduct studies of potential battlefield sites related to the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War, assessing their significance and recommending preservation strategies.
Key provisions
- Extends battlefield acquisition grant program authorization through FY2036.
- Increases the maximum grant amount for battlefield interpretation modernization to $75,000.
- Requires the NPS to study sites related to the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).
- Directs the NPS to assess threats to identified battlefield sites.
- Mandates consultation with state governors, tribes, local governments, and preservation organizations during study preparation.
- Requires the NPS to submit a report on study results to Congress within two years.
- Modifies cost-sharing requirements for grant programs.
- Authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000 per year through FY2036 for battlefield restoration grants.
Who is affected
- National Park Service
- State governments
- Tribal governments
- Local governments
- Historic preservation organizations
Notable changes
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 7618
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend title 54, United States Code, to modify certain cost-sharing requirements for grant programs under the American Battlefield Protection Program, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026
.
2028and inserting
2036.
50and inserting
75; and
50and inserting
75; and
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to provide grants under section 308104 and this section $2,000,000 for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2036.
The Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Director of the National Park Service) (referred to in this section as the Secretary
), shall prepare studies of sites and structures located in the United States that are thematically tied with nationally significant events that occurred during—
the French and Indian War from 1754–1763; and
the Mexican-American War from 1846–1848.
The studies prepared under subsection (a) shall—
identify French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites, respectively, located within the United States;
determine the relative significance of the identified sites;
assess short- and long-term threats to the integrity of the identified sites; and
provide alternatives for the preservation and interpretation of the identified sites by the Federal Government, State, local, and Tribal governments, or other public or private entities, including potential designation of the identified sites as units of the National Park System, as appropriate.
In preparing the studies under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider and may include information from previous studies and reports relating to French and Indian War or Mexican-American War historic sites prepared by the National Park Service, the American Battlefield Trust, or other historic preservation organizations, as appropriate.
In preparing the studies under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with—
the Governor of each affected State;
each affected Indian Tribe;
each affected unit of local government;
the American Battlefield Trust and other national, Tribal, State, and local historic preservation organizations; and
other interested entities or persons.
Not later than 2 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out the studies under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the results of the studies.