From Preservation Action:

This week the full House Appropriations Committee voted to advance the FY25 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill by a vote of 29-25. The bill includes $3.12 billion for the National Park Service, a $209.8 million or 6.3% decrease from FY24 enacted levels. The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) is funded at $168.9 million, $19.76 million below FY24 enacted levels. This includes level funding for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and important grant programs, but eliminates Congressionally directed spending for HPF projects. Importantly, the bill includes a 1 year authorization for the HPF until 2025. The HPF is set to lapse in September without congressional action. Below is a breakdown of HPF funding:

$62.15 million for State Historic Preservation Offices (same as FY24)
$23 million for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (same as FY24)
$25.5 million for Save America's Treasures (same as FY24)
$24 million for the African American Civil Rights grant program (same as FY24)
$10 million for Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grants (same as FY24)
$11 million for HBCU preservation grants (same as FY24)
$7 million for the Semiquincentennial grant program (same as FY24)
$5 million for the History of Equal Rights grant program (same as FY24)
$1.25 million for the Underrepresented Communities grant program (same as FY24
Congressionally Directed Spending for HPF projects not included ($19.76M below FY24)

The bill also includes level funding at $29.232 million for the Heritage Partnership Program, which funds National Heritage Areas. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is funded at $8.375 million, $210,000 below FY24 enacted levels. The bill also requests a briefing from the ACHP on the scope of the work and estimated costs to develop an integrated map of National Register eligible sites.

We appreciate the Committee including 1 year authorization of the HPF, which would help avoid an unnecessary and harmful lapse, but a longer term authorization is needed. Additionally, we recognize the difficult budget year, but are disappointed by the cuts to the ACHP and HPF. As noted in our testimony, Preservation Action is continuing to urge Congress to support $225 million for the HPF, including much-needed increases for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, as they continue to face staffing challenges and increased workloads, and increases for important grants programs, many of which are helping to tell a more diverse and inclusive American story.

The bill now moves to the House floor for consideration. The Senate has yet to release their FY25 Interior Appropriations bill. Preservation Action will continue to monitor the appropriations process. Stay tuned for more.

Learn More: https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/committee-approves-fy25-interior-environment-and-related-agencies