HR 7618 United States House · 119th Congress

American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026

This bill reauthorizes and updates the American Battlefield Protection Program through 2036, extending funding for battlefield preservation grants. It increases the maximum grant percentage for battlefield interpretation projects from 50% to 75% and sets $2 million annually for battlefield restoration grants through 2036. The bill also requires the National Park Service to study French and Indian War (1754-1763) and Mexican-American War (1846-1848) sites across the U.S., assessing their significance, threats, and preservation options. These studies must involve state governors, tribal governments, local officials, and historic preservation groups, with a final report due to Congress within two years of funding. The program directly affects federal, state, tribal, and local entities managing historic battlefields.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Jul 2026

House Passage

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

President

Introduced Feb 20, 2026 Last action Jul 21, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced in House → Engrossed in House · 5 edits · Jun 3, 2026

MODERATE

The engrossed version removes the proposed increase in grant caps from $50 million to $75 million for two battlefield grant programs, and significantly restructures the French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites study provision to allow third parties to conduct studies (with Secretary certification) rather than requiring the Secretary to do all the work. The study requirement is also made contingent on available appropriations.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed on funding (grant cap increases removed) but broadened on who can conduct the war sites studies (third parties now permitted), while adding a funding contingency that makes the study mandate less certain.

FISCAL

The increase of the annual grant cap from $50 million to $75 million for both the Battlefield Interpretation Modernization Grant Program and the Battlefield Restoration Grant Program was removed. Only the deletion of certain subsections remains.

ELIGIBILITY

A new provision allows interested individuals or entities (not just the Secretary) to carry out the French and Indian War and Mexican-American War sites studies, provided the Secretary certifies within 1 year that the completed study meets content requirements.

REQUIREMENT

The study obligation is now conditional on 'the availability of appropriations made in advance for such purpose,' meaning Congress must appropriate funds before the Secretary is required to act.

The standalone consultation requirement (requiring the Secretary to consult with governors, tribes, local governments, and preservation organizations) was removed as a separate subsection. Consultation is now only referenced in the context of Secretary-conducted studies under the new preparation provision.

TIMELINE

New submission deadlines: Secretary-conducted studies must be submitted to Congress within 2 years of funds becoming available; third-party studies must be submitted within 180 days of certification. A clarification was added that submitted studies count as 'Battlefield Reports' under existing law.

Floor votes · House Jun 3, 2026

How they voted

404–13

Passed · 13 other

Total votes 430

Jun 3, 2026

D Democratic212

207 Yea 5

97% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican217

196 Yea 13 Nay 8

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jul 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

upper

Jun 4, 2026

Committee

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

upper

Jun 3, 2026

Introduced

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).

lower

Jun 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

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).

lower

Jun 2, 2026

Introduced

Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

lower

May 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-664.

lower

Apr 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Apr 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged

lower

Mar 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee Hearings Held

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 6 co-sponsors