Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act

HR 5555 directs the Secretary of the Interior to study whether to designate a coastal California area as a National Heritage Area. The study would cover Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo counties, plus adjacent regions with similar heritage features. This study, required under existing law (54 U.S.C. § 120103(a)), would assess if the area meets criteria for designation but does not create the Heritage Area itself. The study is limited to evaluating feasibility and suitability, with no immediate policy changes.