From Preservation Action:
This week, Rep. Teresa Leger-Fernández (D-NM) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced the Historic Preservation Enhancement Act (H.R. 6589) in the U.S House. This legislation would permanently reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) and double the program's authorization to $300 million annually. Importantly, the bill would also make amounts in the HPF available for expenditure without further Congressional appropriations. This would provide much needed certainty for State and Tribal Preservation Offices and the important grants programs funded through the HPF. Preservation Action fully supports this vital legislation.
Currently the HPF is operating under a 6 year authorization that runs through FY 2023 and is funded at $150 million annually, the same funding level as when the program started in 1976. In recent years, Congress's annual appropriation for the HPF has neared that $150 million cap, and in the FY22 appropriations process the President's request, the House bill, and the Senate draft all exceeded that $150 million cap, underscoring the need for an increased authorization.
In July, Rep. Leger-Fernández introduced an amendment to the INVEST in America Act that would have permanently reauthorized the HPF at $300 million. While the amendment was not included in the final bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by the House and Senate, it helped lay the groundwork for this important legislation.
Preservation Action thanks Rep. Leger-Fernández and Rep. Blumenauer for their critical leadership and support. The Historic Preservation Enhancement Act has been referred to the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Budget Committee for consideration. Check out the press release below to learn more!
Learn more: https://fernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-leger-fernandez-introduced-historic-preservation-enhancement-act
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author and not necessarily the opinion of the editors of PreservationDirectory.com.
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