Shenandoah VALOR Act

The district would extend beyond Virginia to include Rockbridge County, Virginia, and Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties, West Virginia. The bill also changes references to Virginia in the district’s governing law and plan to refer to both states.

For fiscal year 2027 and each year after, the bill authorizes $1,250,000 annually for the management entity, with up to $625,000 for its operations and up to $625,000 for battlefield parks, visitor facilities, and preserved historic properties. For fiscal years 2027 through 2033, it also authorizes $2,500,000 each year for grants, technical assistance, and land acquisition from willing sellers.

The management entity would continue to manage the district as a distinct National Historic District partnership model, with the plan updated as needed for the added areas. The district and management entity would continue to receive at least the amount of management and administration funding provided in fiscal year 2026 and remain eligible for technical assistance and grants available to National Heritage Areas; the district would not be subject to certain administrative rules and funding formulas for that system.

The Secretary of the Interior would report to Congress within two years after enactment with recommendations for replicating the district’s partnership model at other locations in the National Park System.