House BillHR 5914Public Lands and Natural Resources
Historic Preservation Enhancement Act
INTRO NOV 4· LAST ACTION NOV 4
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it provides a substantial and more reliable financial backbone for preserving America's historical and cultural heritage. Without adequate funding, many important historic sites and cultural landscapes are at risk of deterioration or destruction, leading to a loss of valuable historical context and community identity. By doubling the annual deposit and ensuring these funds are automatically available, the bill moves away from a year-to-year funding uncertainty, allowing for long-term planning and more impactful preservation efforts.
If this bill becomes law, more resources will be available to restore historic buildings, protect archaeological sites, and interpret cultural stories, particularly for underrepresented communities whose histories may be less documented or celebrated. This can stimulate local economies through heritage tourism, create jobs in restoration and conservation, and enhance civic pride. If it doesn't pass, historic preservation efforts would continue to rely on the current, lower funding levels and face ongoing uncertainty, potentially slowing down or preventing critical preservation projects nationwide.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Increases the annual deposit into the Historic Preservation Fund from $150 million to $300 million for each fiscal year, indefinitely.
This provision doubles the federal funding dedicated to historic preservation, providing significantly more resources for projects across the country.
PROVISION 02
Requires any shortfall in the Historic Preservation Fund's dedicated revenues to be covered by the general fund of the Treasury.
This ensures the fund consistently receives its full $300 million, making the funding reliable and predictable for preservation planning.
PROVISION 03
Makes amounts deposited in the Historic Preservation Fund available for expenditure without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation, starting in fiscal year 2027.
This provides long-term stability and certainty for preservation projects, removing the need for annual Congressional approval and potential funding delays.
PROVISION 04
Mandates minimum allocations of 40% for State Historic Preservation Offices and 20% for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices from the fund.
This ensures that a significant portion of the increased funds directly supports preservation efforts at the state and tribal levels, strengthening local capacity.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes specific programs, including those for African American Civil Rights and Underrepresented Communities, to receive funding from the Historic Preservation Fund.
This provision directs resources to initiatives focused on preserving diverse and often overlooked aspects of American history and culture.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill matters because it provides a substantial and more reliable financial backbone for preserving America's historical and cultural heritage. Without adequate funding, many important historic sites and cultural landscapes are at risk of deterioration or destruction, leading to a loss of valuable historical context and community identity. By doubling the annual deposit and ensuring these funds are automatically available, the bill moves away from a year-to-year funding uncertainty, allowing for long-term planning and more impactful preservation efforts.
If this bill becomes law, more resources will be available to restore historic buildings, protect archaeological sites, and interpret cultural stories, particularly for underrepresented communities whose histories may be less documented or celebrated. This can stimulate local economies through heritage tourism, create jobs in restoration and conservation, and enhance civic pride. If it doesn't pass, historic preservation efforts would continue to rely on the current, lower funding levels and face ongoing uncertainty, potentially slowing down or preventing critical preservation projects nationwide.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Increases the annual deposit into the Historic Preservation Fund from $150 million to $300 million for each fiscal year, indefinitely.
This provision doubles the federal funding dedicated to historic preservation, providing significantly more resources for projects across the country.
high
Requires any shortfall in the Historic Preservation Fund's dedicated revenues to be covered by the general fund of the Treasury.
This ensures the fund consistently receives its full $300 million, making the funding reliable and predictable for preservation planning.
high
Makes amounts deposited in the Historic Preservation Fund available for expenditure without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation, starting in fiscal year 2027.
This provides long-term stability and certainty for preservation projects, removing the need for annual Congressional approval and potential funding delays.
med
Mandates minimum allocations of 40% for State Historic Preservation Offices and 20% for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices from the fund.
This ensures that a significant portion of the increased funds directly supports preservation efforts at the state and tribal levels, strengthening local capacity.
med
Authorizes specific programs, including those for African American Civil Rights and Underrepresented Communities, to receive funding from the Historic Preservation Fund.
This provision directs resources to initiatives focused on preserving diverse and often overlooked aspects of American history and culture.
A federal fund that provides financial assistance to states, tribes, local governments, and non-profit organizations for historic preservation projects.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
An office in each U.S. state and territory that carries out federal historic preservation programs at the state level.
Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO)
An office designated by an Indian tribe to assume the responsibilities of a State Historic Preservation Office on tribal lands.
Fiscal Year
A 12-month period for budgeting and accounting purposes. The U.S. federal government's fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.
General Fund of the Treasury
The primary account for the U.S. government, where most tax revenues and other funds are deposited and from which most government expenses are paid.
Appropriations Acts
Laws passed by Congress that provide legal authority for federal agencies to spend money from the U.S. Treasury.
Without further appropriation
A phrase meaning that funds are made available for spending automatically and do not require Congress to pass a new law each year to release the money.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
NOV 4, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
NOV 4, 25
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
A type of appropriations act that allows federal agencies to continue operating, usually at previous spending levels, when a new annual budget has not been approved by the start of the fiscal year.
