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117-s-1942117th Congress

National Heritage Area Act

Sponsored By: Senator Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]

Became Law

Summary

Creates a statutory National Heritage Area System to standardize how the Interior Department and local partners study, designate, fund, and oversee National Heritage Areas. It also names new NHAs, extends many existing authorizations to 2037, and sets rules for funding, studies, and property protections.

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  • Local communities and stakeholders get new official NHAs and named local coordinating entities. New NHAs must submit management plans within 3 years and may receive Federal assistance for up to 15 years.
  • Many existing NHAs see their authorizations extended to 2037 and may receive up to $1.0 million per NHA per year for FY2023–2037. The law also raises total authorized funding caps for several NHAs, generally by about $2.0 million each.
  • Property owners and State authorities keep their rights. The Secretary must require studies, stakeholder involvement, periodic evaluations, and recommendations on continuing or phasing down Federal funding.

*The law authorizes potential federal spending, including up to $1.0 million per extended NHA per year through 2037 and higher total caps for some NHAs, increasing the scope for future Federal outlays.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More funding and time for Heritage Areas

The law keeps many existing National Heritage Areas authorized through 2037. For each listed area, Congress can appropriate up to $1,000,000 per year for FY2023–FY2037. It also raises total federal caps for several areas, such as Rivers of Steel to $22 million and Essex to $22 million, among others.

National Heritage Area System and oversight

The law creates a National Heritage Area System. Interior can give technical and financial help and make cooperative agreements. The Secretary must study proposals for Kaena Point (Oahu), the Great Dismal Swamp (VA and NC), and Guam. Secretary studies are due in 3 years; certified outside studies are reported within 180 days after certification. The Secretary must regularly evaluate each area and may recommend continued, reduced (with a timeline), or ended federal funding.

Heritage Areas do not change property rights

The law protects private property rights in Heritage Areas. It does not require owner participation or public access. It does not change land‑use rules, water rights, wildlife authority, or owner liability.

New names for two Heritage programs

The law renames America’s Agricultural Heritage Partnership as Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area. It also changes the Great Basin “Heritage Route” to “Heritage Area” and updates related names. All legal references now point to the new names.

Seven new Heritage Areas with timelines

The law creates seven new National Heritage Areas: Alabama Black Belt; Bronzeville–Black Metropolis (Chicago); Downeast Maine; Northern Neck (VA); St. Croix (USVI); Southern Campaign of the Revolution (NC, SC); and Southern Maryland. Each must submit a management plan within 3 years of enactment. Federal assistance for these new areas ends 15 years after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]

MI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 3/3/2022

  • Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 11/29/2022

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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