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Bill
Notes

H.R. 7618 — what changed

American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026

From Introduced in House to Reported in House. 2 sections amended between Introduced in House and Reported in House.

Sec. 2 American battlefield protection program grant programs

(a)
Reauthorization of battlefield acquisition grant program— Section 308103(f) of title 54, United States Code, is amended by striking “2028” and inserting “2036”.
(b)
changed Battlefield interpretation modernization grant program— Section 308104 of title 54, United States Code, is amended—amended by striking subsection (d).
(1)
removed in subsection (c), by striking “50” and inserting “75”; and
(2)
removed by striking subsection (d).
(c)
changed Battlefield Restoration Grant Program—restoration grant program— Section 308105 of title 54, United States Code, is amended—amended by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
(1)
removed in subsection (c), by striking “50” and inserting “75”; and
(2)
removed by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:

“(e) Authorization of appropriations—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.”

Sec. 3 French and Indian war and Mexican-American War sites studies

(a)
changed In general— The Subject to the availability of appropriations made in advance for such purpose, the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Director of the National Park Service) (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”), shall prepare or certify, pursuant to subsection (b), studies of sites and structures located in the United States that are thematically tied with nationally significant events that occurred during—
(1)
the French and Indian War from 1754–1763; and
(2)
the Mexican-American War from 1846–1848.
(b)
added Preparation—
(1)
added In general— The studies under subsection (a) may be carried out—
(A)
added by the Secretary, in consultation with affected States, Indian Tribes, local governments, the American Battlefield Trust, historic preservation organizations, and any other interested individuals or entities, as determined by the Secretary; or
(B)
added by interested individuals or entities, if the Secretary certifies that the completed study meets the requirements of subsection (c).
(2)
added Certification— Not later than 1 year after receiving a study carried out by interested individuals or entities under subsection (b)(1)(B), the Secretary shall review and certify whether the study meets the requirements of subsection (c).
(c)
renumbered was (3) Contents— The studies prepared under subsection (a) shall—
(1)
renumbered was (3)(3) identify French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites, respectively, located within the United States;
(2)
renumbered was (3)(4) determine the relative significance of the identified sites;
(3)
renumbered was (3)(5) assess short- and long-term threats to the integrity of the identified sites; and
(4)
renumbered was (3)(6) 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.
(c)
removed Consideration of previous studies and reports— 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.
(d)
changed Consultation—Consideration of previous studies and reports— In preparing the studies under subsection (a), (b)(1), the Secretary shall consult with—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.
(e)
added Submission to Congress—
(1)
added Studies carried out by the secretary— With respect to studies carried out by the Secretary in accordance with subsection (b)(1)(A), the Secretary shall submit such studies to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate not later than 2 years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out such studies.
(2)
added Studies carried out by other interested parties— With respect to studies carried out by interested individuals or entities in accordance with subsection (b)(1)(B), the Secretary shall submit such studies to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary certifies under subsection (b)(2) that the studies meet the requirements of subsection (c).
(1)
removed the Governor of each affected State;
(2)
removed each affected Indian Tribe;
(3)
removed each affected unit of local government;
(4)
removed the American Battlefield Trust and other national, Tribal, State, and local historic preservation organizations; and
(5)
removed other interested entities or persons.
(e)
removed Submission to Congress— 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.