American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026
This bill extends federal grants through 2036 to help state and local governments and nonprofits buy and preserve historic battlefields. It authorizes $2 million per year through 2036 specifically for projects that restore battlefield land and modernize visitor exhibits and signs. It also directs the National Park Service to study historic sites from the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War to assess threats to the land and explore options for preservation, including adding them to the National Park System.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Historic preservation and battlefield conservation organizationsExtends the authorization of battlefield land acquisition grants through 2036, authorizes $2 million annually for interpretation modernization and restoration grants, and makes French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites eligible for American Battlefield Protection Program grants once studied.
- State, local, and Tribal governmentsGains consultation opportunities on historic site studies, alternatives for preserving and interpreting sites, and continued access through 2036 to federal battlefield protection, restoration, and acquisition grants.
Who it burdens
- National Park ServiceRequires the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service, to prepare or review and certify studies of French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites and report them to Congress within specified timeframes.
The provisions, in plain language.
Show all 5 provisions
Extends federal funding authorization for battlefield land acquisition grants through fiscal year 2036.
Authorizes $2 million per year through fiscal year 2036 for competitive grants to modernize battlefield exhibits and restore historic battlefield lands.
Directs the Department of the Interior to conduct or certify studies of French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites to assess preservation threats and consider options such as adding them to the National Park System.
Designates the completed studies as official Battlefield Reports, making identified French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites eligible for American Battlefield Protection Program grants.
Requires the Department of the Interior to report the completed or certified war site studies to Congress within two years of receiving funding, or within 180 days of certifying an outside study.
Extends federal funding authorization for battlefield land acquisition grants through fiscal year 2036.
Authorizes $2 million per year through fiscal year 2036 for competitive grants to modernize battlefield exhibits and restore historic battlefield lands.
Directs the Department of the Interior to conduct or certify studies of French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites to assess preservation threats and consider options such as adding them to the National Park System.
Designates the completed studies as official Battlefield Reports, making identified French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites eligible for American Battlefield Protection Program grants.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 19 actions
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 13 (Roll no. 192).
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 13 (Roll no. 192).
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3793-3794)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7618.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3755-3757; text: CR H3755-3756)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 578.
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-664.
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 13 (Roll no. 192).
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 13 (Roll no. 192).
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-664.
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- Introduced in House
Read it for yourself.
Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026 (H.R. 7618, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-7618. Congress.gov record as of Jul 23, 2026.