Sponsors (7)
Amends the battlefield protection statute, authorizes $2M per year through FY2036 for grants, and requires studies of French and Indian War and Mexican–American War sites.
The bill directs modest, targeted federal funding and studies to identify and preserve historic battlefield sites—potentially boosting local heritage tourism and protecting cultural resources—while imposing modest costs on taxpayers, additional administrative burdens, and possible new restrictions or uncertainty for some communities and property owners.
Communities and visitors near identified battlefield sites could see increased heritage tourism and local economic activity if studies lead to improved interpretation or National Park Service designation.
State and local governments will be eligible for $2 million per year in grants through FY2036 to preserve and maintain historic battlefield sites, helping protect resources and improve public access.
Federal, state, local, Tribal, and preservation groups will get structured studies identifying French and Indian War and Mexican–American War sites, improving preservation planning and prioritization.
Taxpayers bear new federal costs: the bill authorizes $2 million annually through FY2036 for grants and may require additional appropriations to fund studies or follow-on preservation actions.
Changes to statutory language and new study/reporting deadlines create administrative burden for federal agencies and could narrow or create uncertainty about grant eligibility, oversight, and which communities receive timely study coverage.
If sites identified are recommended for federal protection or National Park designation, local property owners could face additional preservation restrictions or oversight.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Amends the American Battlefield Protection Program to change grant program text, remove an existing subsection, and authorize $2,000,000 each fiscal year through FY2036 for battlefield grants. Requires the Interior Department (through the NPS Director) to prepare or certify thematic battlefield studies for sites tied to the French and Indian War and the Mexican–American War; outside parties may prepare studies but the Secretary must certify them within one year.
Official title: American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026
Introduced February 20, 2026 by Jennifer Kiggans · Last progress June 4, 2026